Anthony Ribeau

Anthony (Tony) Ribeau, 77, of Tucson, Arizona, passed away on September 30, 2026, surrounded by family, after complications from heart surgery. He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years Linda, his three adult children Christopher (Kristina), Anthony (Karley), and Wendy, granddaughters Colbie and Hallie, and a wide circle of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother Anthony and Mickey Ribeau, sister Joanne, and granddaughter Charlie Ribeau.

Tony was born April 19,1949 in New York, New York to Anthony and Micky. Growing up in the Bronx during the 1950s and 1960s gave him a distinctive accent and a lifelong passion for American horsepower. His first new car was a 1968 Dodge Charger RT. He later served his country for six years in the Army National Guard Infantry. During this time Tony met his future bride, Linda, at a disco. They fell in love and married in 1971, then moved to Lyndhurst, New Jersey and started a family. The family spent weekends at classic car events, often cruising in his 1932 Ford Tudor Sedan, named “Yellow Delicious.”

In 1983 Tony moved his young family to Tucson, where they built a home on the northeast side and planted permanent roots. In 1984 he bought a wrecking yard on Tucson’s south side, drawing on experience from owning a gas station back east. He operated Arizona Auto Wrecking, with his eldest son joining the business in the 1990s until the yard was sold in 2026.

Across those years he kept building and racing. Among the cars he was proudest of were a 1968 black Coronet RT, a 1964 Dodge blown-alcohol drag car, the Back in Black funny car, and his last project, a 1955 Chevy gasser. He passed that commitment to cars, and to family, on to his children, encouraging each of them to stay connected while making their own way.

Those who knew Tony will remember his larger-than-life presence and that Bronx accent, still intact after more than 40 years in the Tucson desert. He would strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and leave with a new friend. His knowledge and love of classic cars, hot rods, and drag racing live on in both of his sons. Tony had a zest for life and will be dearly missed, but never forgotten.

A graveside service will be held 10:30AM Tuesday October 20, 2026 at East Lawn Palms Cemetery, 5801 E. Grant Road, Tucson, Arizona. A celebration of life will follow in the reception hall. The family requests guests to drive their hot rod or classic car to the Cemetery in honor of Tony. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Tucson Waldorf School. https://tucsonwaldorf.org/giving/other-ways-to-give/