Anthony Blaskoski

Anthony Blaskoski, 54, of St. Charles, passed away at Delnor Hospital, Sunday, July 6, 2014, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family. Tony was born on July 27, 1959 in Dreux, France to loving parents Norman and Mary Belle Blaskoski. Norm passed away when Tony was young, and Mary Belle remarried; Tony was raised by Mary Belle and Col. Chuck Teed. Being the son of an Air Force Colonel, Tony grew up all over the world attending local elementary schools in OK, and spending his high school years in Roseville, CA. He lived from one side of the earth to another, moving from Okinawa, Japan to Guam, finally settling in St. Charles, IL. After high school, Tony went on to study at Chico State University in 1977. It was there that he joined the Young Life Ministries. He dedicated himself to Jesus Christ and a life of helping others. It was at Chico State, that Tony found love. He met Annette Maree Ward while they were both involved in the Young Life Organization. He always said that he fell in love the first night he met Annette. Although he told his buddies he was a bachelor ‘til the rapture, their love couldn’t be denied. Tony asked Annette to marry him and she asked him to get permission from her father to be his wife. On May 8, 1982 they were united in marriage at the Evangelical Free Church in Chico, CA, by his mentor and pastor, Bob Martin. Tony always kept Annette on her toes, he told her their honeymoon was at Lake Tahoe, but surprised her by taking her to Hawaii. They settled in Sacramento for the first 9 years of marriage. They welcomed home two beautiful daughters, Aubrey Deanne on November 28, 1988 and Amberlee Francis on March 2, 1991. Tony started his career working for General Electric in 1982 in Sacramento. He worked there for 14 years, before moving to Platt Electric in Portland, OR in 1996. He worked there for 4 years and earned his MBA degree from the University of Oregon in 1998. From Oregon Tony and his family moved to Illinois in August of 2000, where he started working for Ideal Industries in Sycamore. He moved on to work for LACO/Markal Industries as the Director of Sales for North America in Elk Grove Village.Tony was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Geneva. He was a caregiver from the time he was a boy, always trying to help others any chance he got. As a young boy, he would go to the local fishing hole to bring home dinner for his family. Even on his first date, with his future wife Annette, Tony took time to help someone in distress. One morning in 2005, Tony was leaving home and saw smoke coming from a nearby house. He ran right into the house, crawled in and pulled his neighbor out of the burning house, did CPR, and saved his life. Although he didn’t want recognition, Tony was awarded the Good Samaritan, Hometown Hero Award from the Red Cross for his bravery. Tony was a leader for the middle school ministry at FBCG Souled Out for 12 years. He loved to help out anyone in need and loved the children of Royal Family Kids Camp where he volunteered as a Camp Counselor for six years. One of Tony’s favorite hobbies was to go golfing with friends; anywhere they could find 18 holes. Tony loved blues music, cranking up the stereo when he heard his favorite musicians, mostly Jonny Lang, Eric Clapton, and Joe Bonamassa. He enjoyed going to Buddy Guy’s Legends for a live show. Everything that Tony did in his life stemmed from his solid faith in Jesus Christ. The Lord Jesus gave Tony the ability to be intentional in loving others well. The joy of his life was showing others who Jesus is. He also told Annette that his favorite thing about her was that she taught him about Christ’s love by the way she loved him. Tony is survived by his wife of 32 years, Annette; 2 daughters, Aubrey and Amberlee Blaskoski; 5 siblings: Keri Blaskoski, Nick(Deb) Blaskoski, Chad (Tina) Teed, Casey (Mark) Castillo, and Jenny Teed; his brother and sisters in-law, Bob (Patti) Ward, Krissie (Shane) Hall, and Tracey (Paul) Colonna; his mother and father in-law, Joe and Harriet Ward; many nieces, nephews, cousins and many treausred friends. Tony is preceded by his parents, Chuck and Mary Belle Teed, and Norman Blaskoski. Visitation will be held Friday, July 11th at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, from 4-8 p.m. A funeral to celebrate Tony’s life will be held Saturday July 12th at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Geneva, west campus at 3435 Keslinger Rd., Geneva, IL. Private family burial at will follow at a later time. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Tony’s name. Checks may be made to the "Anthony Blaskoski Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be held Friday, July 11th at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL, from 4-8 p.m. A funeral to celebrate Tony’s life will be held Saturday July 12th at 11 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Geneva, west campus at 3435 Keslinger Rd., Geneva, IL.