Anthony "Tony" Gentile

GENTILE, Anthony August 9, 1933 – August 29, 2024 Anthony “Tony” Gentile passed away peacefully on Thursday, August 29, 2024 at his home in Fairfield, Ohio, at the age of 91. He was born on August 9, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Antonino and Teresa Gentile (née Mancuso). Brother of the late Charles M. Gentile. Tony was the beloved husband of Margaret “Peggy” Gentile (née Benes), who preceded him in death in 2013. Beloved father of Anthony (Lori) Gentile, Teresa (Tom) Hall, and Edward Gentile; beloved grandfather of Rachelle (Thalo) Menninga, Emma Jacobs, Rose Gentile and Anthony Gentile. In 1934 Tony and his family moved to Sicily, where his parents were born. As a child Tony survived multiple life-threatening illnesses. In 1943 during World War II, he and his family survived the Allied invasion of Sicily, during which their house was bombed. His beloved mother passed away in 1948 when he was 15 years old. In 1950 he, his father, and brother moved back to the United States. He graduated from John Adams High School in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952 and then Case Western Reserve University with degrees in Biology and Chemistry in 1956. That same year he was hired by The Sherwin-Williams Company (later PMC/Cincinnati Specialties) where he remained employed as an Engineer for 49 years. At Sherwin-Williams he met Margaret “Peggy” Benes, whom he married on December 17, 1966. In 1971 his job was transferred from Cleveland to Cincinnati, where he worked until his retirement in 2005. Tony was very proud to be an American and served in the US Army Reserves from 1958 until 1964, when he was Honorably Discharged. During his service in the Army, he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky and Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. In his retirement, Tony loved spending time and traveling with his beloved wife and visiting with his beloved children and grandchildren. He loved the cinema and in particular, movies from the golden age of film. He also loved Classical music, especially Mozart, and played classical guitar. Tony was a man of strong faith and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. He loved God’s beautiful creation of the Earth, the night sky, and especially animals, plants, and trees. He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and his prayer group there for over 40 years. He will be warmly remembered as a loving, kind and devoted husband, father, and grandfather; and a dearly beloved friend, colleague, and gentleman. Visitation will be Thursday, September 5, 2024 11:00am-12:00pm at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 400 Nilles Rd., Fairfield, Ohio, 45014. Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 12:00pm with Father Larry Tharp officiating. Burial to follow Mass at 2:00pm at Gate of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Sacred Heart Church of Fairfield, Ohio.