Anthony Leo Ranieri

Anthony Leo Ranieri, 87, of Westminster, CO, passed away peacefully in his home on Monday, April 29, 2013. Tony was born to Julio and Angela Ranieri in DuBois, Pennsylvania on June 13, 1925. He was the third of 8 children. As a young boy, he was mischievous, daring, adventurous, and curious, as well as loyal and hard-working. Tony was the ""imp"" of the family, the one always getting into mischief. He was the rebel, always pressing the envelope. He had more than his share of spankings, but he always said that he deserved each and every one of them. He said, ""the spankings hurt Pop more than they did me."" As a teenager, Tony played baseball and basketball. He earned money at various jobs like grocery store stock boy and loading and unloading coal cars to help support the family. He tended to the family garden and household maintenance, and did a lot of the family grocery shopping. He even did odd jobs around the hospital to help pay off his dad's hospital bills. He thrived on the responsibility. He did admit that he oftentimes held back a few cents to treat himself to an ice cream. After high school, Tony enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was stationed in the Pacific at Guadalcanal during WWII as a sergeant in the Second Marine Air Wing, MAG 14, from 1943 to 1946. Shortly after returning home from the war, he and a few buddies met some girls picking teaberries. One of those girls was Eleanor Anderson. It was the beginning of an endearing courtship. In 1949 they were wed. They have had a long and loving marriage for 63 years. Tony enjoyed a long and successful career in the architectural precast concrete industry. He moved his family to Colorado from Pennsylvania in 1967 to manage the production plant at Buehner Schokbeton and later at Stanley Structures. He was well respected at work for his fairness, his problem-solving skills, his strong work ethic, his ingenuity, his quality product, and his high safety standards. In 1987 Tony retired, but soon became a consultant and seminar leader in the field traveling throughout the country lending his lifelong expertise to other precast concrete plants. Tony was a hard and dedicated worker, but his family was his first and most important priority. His principles were unfaltering, his devotion was heart-rendering, and his love was felt every day. He loved watching his daughter, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow up. He was a very special part of their lives. Tony's passion in life was working with his hands -- masonry, carpentry, and the precast construction of large buildings. He did what he loved and loved what he did. What more could any man want in life -- fulfilling work and a loving family. He will be remembered by family and friends for his wonderful sense of humor, his intriguing storytelling, his positive attitude, his encouragement and mentorship, his generosity, his loyalty, and his unconditional love. This truly captures the essence of who Tony was as a man. Tony is survived by his beloved wife, Eleanor; daughter, Johanna (William) Burke; grandchildren, James (Lizabeth) Burke, Laura (Ruben) Rojas; great-grandchildren, Abby, Jack, Anna, Thomas; brother, Albert Ranieri of Camp Hill, PA; sister, Jean Monella of DuBois, PA. A private, family service will be held at Fort Logan National Cemetery where Tony will be laid to rest. A special thank you to Agape Hospice of Denver for their loving care and support. Memorial Donations may be made to The Agape Foundation, 6041 South Syracuse Way, Suite 220, Greenwood Village, CO 80111.