Obituary: Juliano, Antonio “Tony” Aka “Tono”
Age 69
JULIANO, Antonio “Tony” AKA “Tono”
(Age 69)
Entered into rest on Wednesday May 18, 2016 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane.
He was the middle son of Dorothy and Tony Juliano and was born on October 23, 1946 in Spokane.
Tony was developmentally disabled from birth and suffered with two types of epilepsy.
He attended Sheridan, Edison and McKinley elementary schools, Libby Jr High School and graduated from Hillyard School.
As a child, he enjoyed visits to relatives in Ohio every three years.
He also enjoyed the adventures of childhood play in the neighborhood of east central Spokane with cousins and neighbors.
Sunday rides were a favorite and continued throughout his life.
Another favorite activity later was roaming the neighborhood with his mother to collect aluminum cans for pull tabs for the Ronald McDonald House.
He lived with his parents until their passing.
After 2013 he lived with his older brother Jerry.
Tony enjoyed word search puzzles, bowling, Wii games, making crafts and jewelry, taking field trips, cooking classes and serving water at water station #1 for Bloomsday.
That was something he had done since 1995.
In 2006, he began attending the Learning Skills Center at West Central Community Center.
This allowed him to travel back and forth on the STA Paratransit vans, logging many miles and hours each day.
It also gave him a huge boost of confidence and independence.
At the Skill Center he was able to enjoy all of his favorite activities and made numerous new friends among the clients and staff at the center.
He became an “unofficial” staff member because of his willingness to befriend and assist his fellow classmates.
A special thanks to the staff and clients of West Central Learning Skills Center for sharing their love with him.
Another favorite activity was watching MASH, Emergency and many other old-time favorites on Me TV.
He was an avid fan of the Seattle Seahawks, Mariners and the Cincinnati Reds and a huge fan of Gonzaga Basketball, especially the Gonzaga Women.
He was fortunate to attend several women’s games in person.
He liked spending holidays and weekends with his brother Doug and his family each summer at the lake.
He was clearly loved by all of the grandnieces and grandnephew.
He was a great help at the lake and carried more than his fair share of the workload.
Tony especially liked the Fourth of July weekend and the fireworks.
Our special needs brother was special indeed!
Tony was preceded in death by his parents Dorothy and Tony Juliano.
He is survived by his brothers Jerry and Doug (Linda) Juliano; niece Lisa (Bryan) Rhodes, their children Lauren and Lindsey Rhodes; nephew Paul (Amber) Juliano and their children Gavin and Ava; and nephew Adam (Pam) Juliano and their daughter Hailey.
He was loved by many and will be greatly missed.
Viewing will be held on Tuesday, May 24th at Heritage Funeral Home from 4:00 -7:00 pm and the Funeral Service will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 2:30 pm at Heritage Funeral Chapel in Spokane.
Interment will follow at Greenwood Memorial Terrace.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Tony’s (Tono’s) name to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Spokane, 1015 W 5th Ave. Spokane, WA 99204, The Learning Skills Center West Central Community Center at 1603 N Belt, Spokane, WA 99205, or a charity of your choice.