Richard Anthony Hess

Richard Anthony Hess, who everyone knew as 'Tony', was born on May 1, 1936 in Long Beach, California, and passed away in Torrance on Thursday, October 2, 2008. His beloved niece and nephew, Lisa Contratto Farnan and Anthony Contratto were at his side. The son of Clementine and Guilford Hess, and brother of Barbara Oxtaby Contratto, Tony grew up in Long Beach, attending St. Anthony's High School, and went on to receive his degrees in business from Long Beach State University. Upon graduation, Tony was drafted by the U.S. Army, serving as a Second Lieutenant. He landed his first job as a teacher at El Segundo High School teaching typing and business math. His favorite course was Celestial Navigation, which was not surprising, given his love of the sea. An expert sailor and boat lover, Tony sailed to many ports, including Tahiti on a year long adventure, on The Lisa and The Nefer Ra. He developed his tax and accounting practice at night after teaching school, and assisted thousands of South Bay professionals and residents with their tax needs for over 50 years in his Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach offices. Tony was a generous mentor to others, a champion for his family and animals, and a kind friend who always had a joke to share. His 3 great-nieces and 2 grandnephews, many clients and friends will dearly miss Tony.

Funeral services will be held at St. James Catholic Church in Redondo Beach, CA on Thursday, October 9th at 10:30 am. Private interment services will be held at All Souls Cemetery in Long Beach, CA. In lieu of flowers, and to honor Tony's love of dogs, donations in Tony's memory may be made to The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCALA) at (888) SPCALA1 asking for the Fund Development Department or you may go online at SPCALA.com and donate directly.