Anthony Wayne Mandel Jr.

1982-2017

Anthony Wayne Mandel, Jr. (“Lil Tony”), 34, born July 18, 1982, passed away in a tragic auto accident on Wednesday, April 5, 2017. He was a life-long resident of Pensacola. He is survived by his parents, Anthony Wayne Mandel, Sr. and Susan Chance Mandel, his sons Dalton and Caden Mandel, his sister Sommer Mandel (Dan) Burns, a niece Kelsey and a nephew, Grayson. He was preceded in death by his loving grandparents Chris and Yvonne Mandel and Alton Raymond Chance and some friends he loved as family.

Tony cherished his family, especially his sons above everything in this life on earth. He loved all children and they loved him. He had the most giving soul and the biggest heart.

He was a great plumber. Tony loved First Pentecostal Church and Warrington Assembly of God. He had an amazing love for life and living it to the fullest. His love for God assures us all he has found peace in the arms of the Lord.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family on Monday, April 10, 2017 from 6-8 p.m. at Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. A Celebration of Life will be held at Eastern Gate on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Interment to follow at Eastern Gate Memorial Gardens. An additional gathering will follow the interment at 3:30 p.m. at Liberty Church on Blue Angel Parkway. The church will be available to receive food starting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.

Eastern Gate Memorial Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.

Catholic baseball is heartbroken to pass along news of the passing of 2001 graduate Tony Mandel. Tony came to us from Escambia High School and pitched for the Crusaders for two years. After his senior season he was named to the Pensacola News Journal's All-Area Team. That same month, he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 17th round of the Major League Baseball draft. Tony instead spent a year playing at Chipola College and was once again drafted in the 17th round of the 2002 MLB draft by the Anaheim Angels. After his baseball career concluded, Tony got into the worlds of boxing and mixed martial arts. He represented the Pensacola Boxing Academy and also was featured on the main card of Island Fights 23, where he was victorious. He also spent time working alongside his father at Spivey and Son Plumbing.

This past fall he dedicated his life to Jesus when he confessed his sins and was baptized in the river. He leaves behind two young sons. Please keep the Mandel family, his parents Tony, Sr. and Susan and his sister Sommer, and his many friends in your thoughts and prayers.