Anthony Assenza Jr.

Anthony “Tony” Joseph Assenza, Jr., 69, passed away peacefully on April 10, 2026, from complications of worsening dementia. He spent his final years in El Dorado, California, where he had built a life with his wife, Karin, since 1987.

He was born in Connecticut on August 26, 1956, and lived in Massachusetts until his family moved to California in 1962, settling in Rancho Cordova. He attended St. John Vianney Catholic School and later graduated from Cordova High School. Two years later, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged as a corporal.

Tony went on to attend American River College, where he first met his wife, Karin. Together, they continued their education at California State University, Sacramento, where they both graduated with bachelor’s degrees.

He held various accounting and bookkeeping jobs while in school before becoming a cost accountant with Aerojet Techsystems in Rancho Cordova. In 1985, he married Karin. He enjoyed playing baseball with friends and spending time fishing. He was a Lifetime Member of the Hangtown (Placerville area) Detachment of the Marine Corps League and attended in the past two of the Catholic Churches with his family/wife in El Dorado County.

They later moved from Citrus Heights to the foothills in the town of El Dorado off Highway 49 to begin a new chapter and start their family. After changes at Aerojet, Tony chose a different path, and together they opened a Mail Boxes Etc. store (now The UPS Store) in Placerville to be closer to home and more connected to their community.

Some years later Tony felt a calling for teaching. He began teaching near Placerville before moving to two additional schools in Amador County, where he spent approximately 20 years as an educator. He retired in early 2021 during the COVID pandemic.

In his later years, Tony faced a number of health challenges and was hospitalized multiple times as his cognitive decline progressed. He spent time in care facilities before eventually entering hospice care on Christian Good Friday and passing away on Eastern Orthodox Good Friday.

He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony Joseph Assenza, Sr. (1987), and his mother, Mae Elizabeth Assenza (2008). He will be laid to rest just steps away from them at Mount Vernon Memorial Park.

Tony is survived by his wife, Karin Nielsen Assenza of El Dorado; his two daughters, Cristina Robinson (Joshua) of Folsom and Danielle Assenza of Sacramento; his grandchildren, Lily and Paul; and his brother, Michael, of Rancho Cordova, along with nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, April 27, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Mount Vernon Memorial Park in the Court of Honor Flags area, with burial rites at the gravesite, followed by a reception on the upper level of the main mortuary building.

He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.