Anthony Joseph Iovino

The family of Anthony “Tony” J. Iovino is deeply saddened to announce that on Monday, April 6, 2026, Tony passed away suddenly. Born on November 4, 1943 in New York City, Tony was the youngest of two children born to Nunzio and Benedetta “Bessie” Iovino.

Tony was an accomplished scholar. After graduating high school at the age of fifteen, he attended the University of New Mexico (BS in Biology), the University of Arkansas (Master of Biology), Indiana University (PhD in Marine Biology) and Indiana University Indianapolis (BA in Philanthropy). He fluently spoke seven languages, including Russian and German.

Professionally, Tony taught at Central Noble High School. He went on to work at Branstrator Aluminum, serving as Vice President, before joining the Marketing Team at the Pizza Hut Corporation. In his retirement, Tony served as a translator and continued in a support role for the Pizza Hut Corporation.

Among his many passions, Tony was a marvelous cook who enjoyed hosting large and small gatherings. Food was his love language, and his great joy was hosting weekly Sunday dinners for family and friends. He took pride in his Italian heritage and often told stories about his life and the many people he met. Tony had begun compiling the stories he loved to share into a novel about the many people that shaped his childhood growing up in East Harlem. During the second half of his life, he developed a love of Arabian horses and often traveled the world to see them.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Nunzio and Bessie Iovino, along with his sister Connie (Iovino) Silver. He is survived by his blushing bride of 36 years, Diane; his son Phillip; three daughters: Johnna (Kenneth) Scheele, Meredith (Tony) Borell, and Dannie Iovino; grandchildren Dylan (Sarah) Hoyt, Noah Payne, Clarice Scheele, Thea Witcher, Samuel Scheele, Rex Scheele, Sophia Wilson; and four great grandchildren.

Tony’s strong sense of family and loyalty was a shining example to all who knew him, and he will be greatly missed. A reception will be held in his honor on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Christ’s Community Church, 10616 Liberty Mills Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Community Transportation Network, online at ridectn.org, or by mail to 5601 Industrial Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46825. This was an organization that Tony was very passionate about.