Anthony Louis Tambini II

Tony was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 13, 1935, to parents Anthony and Dorothy (Bishop) Tambini. He spent many of his early years following his father, who was an officer in the US Army, from camp to camp during World War II. In 1950, the family moved to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. There, Tony attended high school and the University of Oklahoma. In 1956, Tony joined the US Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet. In August 1957, he received his Navy Wings and a commission as an Ensign in the US Navy. Following receiving his wings, Tony married Mary “Angie” Angela Haig, of Mobile, Alabama in October 1957.

The couple, then, moved to San Diego, California where Tony joined Attack Squadron Fifty-Six. During his active-duty tours, Tony was a “Top Gun”, earning the title at the Fourth Naval Air Weapons Meet in November 1959. He served in squadrons aboard aircraft carriers in the Pacific. Tony was awarded 5 Air Metals, the Navy Commendation medal with a “V” for valor in combat, the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 battle stars, and The Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. He completed the Naval War College Command and Staff course and graduated from the University of Rhode Island before serving on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. In 1977, after 21 years of faithful service as a Naval Aviator, Tony retired as a Commander in the US Navy.

Upon retirement, Tony worked as a consultant for the Department of Defense in Nuclear Weapons Development, Readiness, and Safety. Tony, Angie, and their sons, Tony and Chris, began a textile screen printing operation in Herndon, Virginia, which is a suburb of Washington DC. The family operated the company for 8 years before selling it. Upon the sale of their company, Tony and Angie moved aboard their sailboat and embarked on a 4-year adventure. They eventually settled in Sarasota, Florida in 1984. Shortly after, Tony began working as a realtor. In 2000, Tony stepped back from real estate. He and Angie provided childcare for their grandson.

Tony was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Association of Naval Aviation, Tailhook Association, Skyhawk Association, Screenprint Association International, Theta Kappa Phi fraternity, Sarasota Board of Realtors, and an Eagle Scout.

He is predeceased in death by his parents.

Tony is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Angie Tambini; his beloved sons Tony and Chris; his cherished grandchildren Dominic Christopher, Richard, and David; his 3 sisters Mary Lee Ruelle; Dorothy Ann Jett, Margaret Cecilia Tambini, and Catherine Marie Tambini; and extended family and friends.