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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