In Memoriam: Anthony Joseph Antonio, MSN, CRNA (1971-2024)

Anthony Joseph Antonio, MSN, CRNA, 53, most recently of North Garden, Virginia passed away on July 21, 2024, surrounded by loving family and friends. For two and a half years he fought a rare cancer, facing it head on with a great deal of strength and courage.

He was born in Dearborn, Michigan on June 9, 1971, to Nash Joseph Antonio and Theresa Ann Antonio. He was raised there and attended Divine Child Elementary and High School. He formed a unique bond with four close friends that began in grade school and lasted his entire life.

Tony graduated from Henry Ford College with his nursing degree in 1993. He began his nursing career working in the emergency room, trauma bay and the operating room. He was a travel nurse for many years and worked in Connecticut, Florida, California, and several other states making friends easily on each assignment. He spent 10 years working at Georgetown University Hospital in the orthopedic surgery operating room and was known to be the “go to” person for many surgical services whenever there was a problem. He got his Bachelor of Nursing degree from University of Virginia in 2008 and then his master’s degree in nursing as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2014. He worked the remainder of his career as a CRNA at University of Virginia Health System. Those who worked with him knew him as a no-nonsense but immensely trusted and skilled colleague.

Tony also had the distinct opportunity to work for the Detroit Tigers baseball team. He started as a batboy in high school and then later worked as an assistant equipment manager for the team. He got to travel the country with the team and forge close bonds with staff and players alike. In 2005 he was even called back to work the All-Star Baseball game played in Detroit, Michigan. Baseball was his one true passion besides nursing. If he knew you well, he would share a story or two from those days in the old stadiums.

Tony met his wife in the OR at Georgetown when he came to her rescue over an equipment malfunction. They dated a year and got engaged while visiting her brother in Paris. They moved to Charlottesville, Virginia in 2005, had two boys and built a beautiful home in North Garden together. Those who knew Tony best will remember him for his sense of humor, ferocious dedication to friends and family as well as his innocuous grumpiness.

Tony is survived by his wife, Megan Jane Bray; sons, Ryan Christopher (17) and Bryce Parker (15); mother, Theresa Antonio; father, Nash Antonio; sister, Gina Antonio; brother-in-law, Larry Behrendt; nephews, Logan Nash (16) and Tyler James (12); brother-in-law, James Bray; sister-in-law, Merete Haugaa Bray; niece, Eline Haugaa Bray (12); mother-in-law, Margie Bray; the four Divine Child brothers, Christopher O’Hagan, Brian McInnis, Bob Anders and Chris Kovacs; his Charlottesville brother, Anthony Nappi, his wife, BR Nappi and their daughter Emma; as well as several wonderful close family and friends.

This obituary was originally published on Hill and Wood Funeral Services’ website.