Anthony "Tony" Recchia was born in Boston, Massachusetts, May 28, 1953 to parents, Luciano and Jessie Recchia. Tony was the youngest of two children with his older sister, Antoinette, 6 years his senior.
Tony lived in Boston until he was 4 years of age when his parents decided to move to San Diego. Tony's father was one of 7 children, and a few of Tony's uncles had already made the move from Boston to California. The Recchia family settled in the little town of Lemon Grove and started their new life there.
Growing up, Tony was a bit spoiled and treated as a "Mama's boy." Jessie would dote on her son, offering play and adventures more so than discipline. If there was a meal Tony did not like, his mother would make something else just for him. Tony's father was the one who handled the discipline, structure, and the concept of working hard to earn for your family. Luciano lived by the motto, “The father of the family must always be the provider for his wife and kids.” This was a concept Tony (unbeknownst to him at the time) would then instill in his own children.
Tony was raised with a strong belief in Christ. He attended church, bible studies, Sunday schools, and even 8 years of Catholic school at St. John of the Cross Catholic school. Tony would tell stories of how naughty he was in school and how he was whipped daily by the nuns that taught him. It was a long running joke that his family enjoyed to hear. He would later attend Mount Miguel High School and would graduate in June 1971.
Tony's first job was working at KFC, but his heart always belonged to cars, and he soon moved from KFC to working at wrecking yards. Tony was even dubbed the nickname, "Junkyard Tony.” He loved working in the wrecking yards because he knew they were where treasures could be found. Tony worked on vehicles as a hobby and used his wrecking yard job to find needed parts. This included for his first car, a 1953 Chevy Bel Air four-door sedan painted an odd color green and nicknamed by all as, "La bomba."
Tony was a member of a car club now called the "Over the Hill Gang.” He was most proud of the fact his membership began when the club was originally named, “The Over the Hill Gang.” Later on, members dropped “the” from the beginning of its name. The club afforded Tony the opportunity to work, talk, and meet over vintage cars with similar like-minded people. He attended numerous car shows and meetings with the club. It was a proud day for him when he could show the gang his most prized possession of all, a 1936 Chevrolet Master Deluxe Coupe. The coupe is still in the family's possession today.
Following sports was another passion of Tony's. He was an avid San Diego Charger lover and a season ticket holder for more than 20 years. His love of sports did not stop with football. He also loved baseball (specifically the Boston Red Sox), and would follow any sport that was on television. As a boy, Tony played in little league and pop warner football. Much to his disappointment, Tony was revered too small to ever go further in sports.
Family was important to Tony. With Tony's father having so many brothers and sisters and the family members living so close in proximity, Tony grew up with his cousins being more like brothers and sisters. There are stories passed around of them playing hide and seek with one another (and Tony hiding in outrageous spots like the roof!) They also played cops and robbers. Tony often stayed out of the house all day to avoid chores. A majority of Tony's cousins were younger than him and when they were of age, they relished the chance to be driven around by their older cousin. These cousins are the same ones that feared for their lives in "La Bomba" and later on when Tony owned and rode a motorcycle. Tony was never one to say no to any family in need of help and was there to aid them as quick as he could.
Tony met a woman named Susan in 1974. She was the neighbor of one of his uncles, and they bonded over her 1966 Chevy Impala. Tony and Sue married in 1978.
In 1977, Tony began a career with SDG&E where he started as a laborer and moved up to gas serviceman for the company. He enjoyed his career with SDG&E and the experiences that came with the job.
In June 1981, Tony and Sue would welcome their first child together, a son, they named Jason Anthony. Having a first child, and having that child be a son was always special to Tony. Tony wanted to teach Jason all he knew about cars, sports, and how to work with his hands. If there was to be work done around the house, it was always the two of them that would get it done. The one thing that bonded son and father together more than anything else was their mutual love of cars. Jason was given Tony's '36 Chevy, with the promise they would work on it together in life. Jason accredits his love for being a mechanic to his dad, and is a "Jack of all trades,” thanks to his dad as well.
In October 1984, Tony and Sue welcomed their second child, a daughter they named Amy Lynne. Amy, from the start, was the one that challenged Tony the most. She was the child who always asked questions, would always enter into a debate, and who would put up a fight when her dad asked her to do something. She was even dubbed by Tony as the "Queen of excuses" for she always had an excuse to offer her dad. Amy was very much her father's daughter and yet she was her own self. Tony taught both Jason and Amy his mantra and the one thing he repeated to both his kids above all else wa, "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well." A saying that Amy and Jason have carried with them into their adult lives and have lived by ever since.
2001 marked the end of Tony and Sue’s marriage. Together they had seen their son off to junior college and their daughter was a senior in high school.
Tony's greatest accomplishments were his children. He was honored and proud when he learned of his son attending trade school to become an auto mechanic. He was ecstatic to have his son move back to San Diego so they could further work on cars together while he bragged of his son's successes.
Amy left for Oregon right after high school to attend Culinary Arts. This was another proud moment for Tony to see his daughter, just as with his son, move forward with careers where their passions lay. Over the years, he learned how deep Amy's passion for cooking ran. Tony visited Amy in Oregon many times over her 11 years residing there, including living with her for a year and a half as his health was declining.
Tony was diagnosed with a heart disease called cardiomyopathy early in life. For years it was held at bay by medical treatments and medication. However, as the years went by, Tony's health went with it and in late 2010, Tony was placed on a heart transplant list. He was told he needed this surgery in order to survive.
In actuality, this diagnosis could not have come at a better time. For it was just two months later that Tony would be the first to know that his daughter was expecting a child. This was to be Tony's inspiration to undergo surgery for he wanted to meet this grandchild. Tony underwent his heart transplant and his new heart began beating on Father's Day, June 19, 2011.
Tony’s ride to recovery and enjoying his prolonged life was full of pleasure and activities. He frequented places like barber shops, the Elks’ Lodge, and visited with Jason, and when Amy moved back to San Diego, Tony would visit with her and his granddaughter, Mia.
2016 marked another special year for Tony as word was that Amy was to have a second child, a grandson named Maximus. This year also marked Amy marrying for the second time to a man named Ryan. He was happy to see Ryan cared for his grandchildren and daughter in the way they deserved.
In November 2018, Tony's son, Jason, proposed to his long-time girlfriend, Wyn. Tony was very excited about the news for he had loved Wyn as a member of the family for years. Now officially he could call her a daughter.
In December, Tony's health took a turn for the worst. He found out his body was rejecting his new heart. Added, at that time he was undergoing dialysis treatments for his kidney failure.
On March 21, 2019 Tony had enough with his fight. He was tired and no longer enjoyed life. He asked his children to help him stop all treatments, join hospice, and focus on comfort care only. Almost two weeks later, on April 3, 2019, Tony passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Who Tony was, the essence and love he had, will live on in the memories of his children, his grandchildren, his family and his friends. When you see a vintage car, may you smile in memory of Tony, for he is smiling and finally resting in peace.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made in honor of Anthony to the American Heart Association.
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