Anthony "Tony" Altomare

Columbiana- Anthony "Tony" Altomare, age 70, of Columbiana, passed away on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at St. Elizabeth ER after a long, valiant battle with cancer. Tony was born to the late Americo "Jumbo" and Dorothy Smith Altomare on October 1, 1947 in Salem, Ohio.

A 1965 graduate of Crestview, he attended Findlay College and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1966-1970 as a medic. While stationed at Elmendorf A.F. base in Anchorage, AK he met the love of his life, Cecelia Sarrazin, whom he married on April 27, 1968 in Livingston, MT. After briefly living in CA, they settled in Livingston then Bozeman, MT where Tony sheered sheep, worked on the highway, continued his education at Montana State University, was a Bob Cat Athletic Trainer Assistant, became a professional Basketball Referee through the Montana Official Association and was a GPA certified Golf Pro and managed Valley View Golf Club. In 1981 he moved his growing family to Columbiana, OH where he owned and operated Whispering Pines Golf Course for several years. Tony graduated from YSU in 1989 with a BS in Physical Education and Sports Medicine. He was a Licensed Athletic Trainer and Massage Therapist. He worked with various local sports teams and practiced with Greenville Physical Therapy Clinic, Carnation Clinic, and retired from Ohio Sports and Spine Institute in 2015. Tony had a deep faith and was an active member of The Upper Room Fellowship for 35 years where he served as a deacon. His love of learning and teaching influenced many as he gladly served people through golf lessons and therapy and massage sessions.

Tony leaves behind his beloved wife, Cecelia Sarrazin Altomare; his children, Monica (Bruce) Stryffeler of Columbiana, Beth (Mark) Scheller of Columbiana, Arin (Teresa) Altomare of Geneva, Paul (Chrissy) Altomare of Carbondale, CO, and his grandchildren, Arielle, Owen Stryffeler, Jacob, Jordan, Jayden Scheller, and Paige Altomare to cherish his memory and carry on his legacy. He also leaves his dear sisters, Judy Rubino of New Waterford, Joanne Booksing of Cochran, GA, Valerie Aitken of Sarasota, FL, and Pam Barkley of Clearwater, FL, as well as his Father and Mother-in-law Leon and Jean Sarrazin; his brother-in-laws, Tom (Terry) Sarrazin, Ken (Pam) Sarrazin, and Joe (Andrea) Sarrazin, all of Livingston, MT, and many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at The Upper Room Fellowship Church, 500 Sponseller Rd., Columbiana, OH.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 25, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the church where military honors will be accorded by the Benjamin Firestone Post #290, American Legion Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. Send to: Davis Family YMCA, attn: Rhonda Capan, 45 McClurg Rd., Youngstown, OH 44512. Checks payable to: YMCA of Youngstown, Memo: LIVESTRONG Tony Altomare. (330) 480-5656 x 248.

Arrangements were handled by the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana. Family and friends may view this obituary and send condolences at www.familycareservices.com