OBITUARY

Tony Varisco Jr.

January 9, 1920 – September 27, 2013
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Tony Varisco, Jr., 93, of the Steele Store Community, passed away peacefully Friday afternoon, September 27, 2013, at home. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, September 30, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Bryan. The rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. at the church. A funeral mass is scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery under the direction of Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan.

Tony was born to Dorotea Tritico Varisco and Antonino B. Varisco on January 9, 1920, in Brazos County, Texas, and was a lifetime resident of the Steele Store Community. After graduating from high school, Tony attended Texas A&M University, where he graduated in 1941 with a degree in Biology. He served in the United States Army during World War II as a lab technician with the 76th General Hospital, following the Western Front from Normandy, France to Liege, Belgium. He was there during the Battle of the Bulge. He was a member of the VFW Post 4692 and the American Legion Post 159.

After returning from the war, he married Josephine Salvato on February 24, 1946 and began farming, continuing into his eighties. He also operated the Varisco-Court Gin with his brother-in-law, Vince Court, and was later joined by his son, Tony III. Tony had a passion for flying. He owned several passenger airplanes. Eventually, he owned three spray planes and operated a crop spraying business. Tony enjoyed playing poker with his friends from the Steele Store Community and had a love for the movies, especially westerns and military shows. He shared many stories with his family about his days in the service. Tony and Josephine travelled annually to Iowa to attend his Army reunions until the last one was held when he was nearly 80 years old.

He was known by his family as “Paw-Paw,” and enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren with “Paw-Paw” dollars when they visited. Tony will always be remembered as a generous man and one with a deep faith. He was a lifetime member of St. Anthony Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Msgr. Gleissner Council 1834.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Josephine, who shared his life for 64 years before she passed away in 2010. He is also preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Brazos and Joe, and his sisters Mary, Betty, Palma, and Nena. Tony is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Tony Varisco, III and his wife Judy, Frank and Marian Rose Varisco; one daughter and son-in-law, Doreen and Gary Wentrcek; two sisters, Louise Wadsworth and Dorothy Irwin; seven grandchildren, Tony Varisco, IV and his wife Callie, Lorin V.Catalena and her husband Cody, and Anne V. Bessler and her husband Todd; Garrett Wentrcek and his wife Veronica, Wyatt Wentrcek and his wife Jenna; Tyler Varisco and Austin Varisco; and nine great- grandchildren, Cole, Kate, Lillie, Alec, Reese, Tony V, Maggie, Elle and Ava.

The family would like to thank the compassionate home caregivers, Joyce and Martha, medical caregivers, Drs. Tseng and Mason, and physical therapists and nurses from St. Joseph Hospital and Hospice Brazos Valley.

Memorials may be made to St. Anthony Catholic Church and Hospice Brazos Valley.

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Services

  • Visitation Monday, September 30, 2013
  • Rosary Monday, September 30, 2013
  • Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, October 1, 2013
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REMEMBERING

Tony Varisco Jr.

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Kevin Karli

October 3, 2013

Mr. Varisco was a good man and a good friend. His kind will sorely be missed.

October 3, 2013

Doreen, Gary, Garrett, Veronica, Wyatt, Jenna and all family members, our deepest sympathy and condolences to all of you. Mr. Varisco, a pillar of Brazos county and such a respected human being, will be missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Much love to you-Jaime, Larry and family

Patrick Lapaglia

October 2, 2013

I was so sorry to see that Mr. Tony passed away. I have fond memories of him. He was such a kind man. We knew him as we were growing up in the Brazos bottom. The Varisco Family was loved by all.....Mr. Tony will be missed. God Bless him and the entire Varisco Family.

Rhonda Putz

October 2, 2013

What a wonderful man with an amazing family! Loved reading all about his special life. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

Buddy Winn

October 1, 2013

My condolences to the family. I am sadden to read of the passing of "ole timers" like him that helped settle our community and shared the tales of the early days with me through the years. My prayers to Mr. Tony for those memories.

October 1, 2013

Our family, especially my mother, Frances Catalena, are deeply saddened by your loss of your father,Tony. He was a multi-talented person. My father, D.D. farmed a small cotton acreage in the Steele Store Community which Tony used to dust and spray. I knew and remember Mr. Tony's brothers Brazos and Joe, as was your grandfather, Mr. Antonio Varisco, who were always most helpful to D.D. and Frances. We sincerely do thank Mr. Tony for having such a kind family then and continues to have such a wonderful family to this day.
Sincerely,
Cousins F.J. & Maria Catalena

October 1, 2013

Little Tony, Doreen, and Frank, there is no sorrow that God cannot heal. Mr. Tony is with Mrs. Josephine once again. It's been 8 years since my dad passed away, so I know how heavy your hearts are. But God makes no mistakes.

Sandra Dee Oliver-Gibbs

Blifford Loehr

October 1, 2013

My dad farmed a small acreage of cotton in the Cooks Point Community in Burleson County and used Mr. Varisco's spraying service at times. Mr. Varisco accommodated my dad by spraying his small acreage. He was always fair and helpful and was friendly to everyone. These memories are from over 50 years ago.

Betty Young-Davis

October 1, 2013

My prayers go out to you and your family.May God continue to bless you. Mr. Varisco has gone from Service to Reward.

Martha Blanco-Pacheco

October 1, 2013

Our hearts are saddened by your loss and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

IN THE CARE OF

Memorial Funeral Chapel
Bryan, TX
979-823-8125