Tony was born Anthony Leonard Olivieri, on January 1, 1938, in San Marco la Catola, Foggia, Italy, to Nicolangelo Olivieri and Michelina Cappelletta. He graduated from Notre Dame High School, in West Haven, CT, and attended Teachers College of Connecticut, CT, for 4 years, before being drafted into the U.S. Army.
He completed basic training at Fort Dix Army Base, NJ. He completed his medical training at Fort Sam Houston, in San Antonio, TX, and Fort Ord, CA, before being transferred to Fort Bliss, in El Paso, TX, where he would meet, fall in love with, and marry Donna, his wife of 56 years. He also served overseas in Germany, and would finish his military service at White Sands Missile Range, NM.
After he was honorably discharged, he moved his growing family back to Orange, CT, to be closer to his parents. He decided that he liked the warmer climate of West Texas better, and moved his family back to El Paso, where he ran a Medical School, and Construction business before finding his true passion for cars. He was the Sales Manager for several automotive dealerships in El Paso, and owned Tony’s Pizza, in Ruidoso, NM, before relocating to Conroe, TX, where he was in Management for several dealerships including Weisner Automotive Group, Smith Honda, and Noble Automotive Group.
Tony has been a Parishioner of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, in Conroe, TX, since 1985. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, in Anderson, and Conroe, TX. He attended Manresa House of Retreats, in Convent, LA, for 17 years.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Nicolangelo and Michelina C. Olivieri. Tony is survived by his wife, Donna K. (Bowling) Olivieri; sons, Deacon Mark N. Olivieri and wife Lisa, Anthony E. Olivieri and wife Cynthia, Joseph M. Olivieri and Matthew L. Olivieri; grandchildren, Nicholas D., Philip J., Ryan C., Julie A., Michelina R., Gabriella M., Cheyenne, and Brooke C. great granddaughter, Sophie. He is also survived by 7 sisters-in- law and their families who loved him dearly.
Visitation will be held from 05:00 – 07:00 p.m., with a Rosary starting at 06:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 26, 2018, at Cashner Funeral Home, in Conroe, TX. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, August 27, 2018, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, in Plantersville, TX, at 10:30 a.m. with Father Edward C. Kucera, Jr., Father William T. Kelly, and Rev. Philip Wilhite, celebrants.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church Building Fund, in Conroe, TX.
