ANTHONY TOGNETTI OBITUARY

Anthony "Tony" Dominic Tognetti, 68, passed away Dec. 19, 2010, at his home in Billings, from complications due to Parkinson's disease.

He was born July 2, 1942 in Lewistown, the son of A.D. "Dom" and Helen (Obstarczyk) Tognetti. He attended St. Leo's Catholic Schools from grades one through 12. After receiving a BS in business education from the College of Great Falls, he taught business education in Hingham for five years. In 1970, he received his master's degree in school administration at the U of M in Missoula, where he met his wife, Inger Wysocki. They were united in marriage on Aug. 8, 1970, in Deer Lodge. They lived in Portland, Ore., for a year, where Tony taught business at Franklin High School. He then become principal for 4 years in Sunburst, next Tony served as superintendent of Melstone Schools from 1975-1977. This was followed by a job as Eastern Field Representative for OPI in Billings, a sales representative for Northern School Supply in Great Falls, and then Superintendent of Stevensville Schools for 17 years before his retirement in 1997. Tony and Inger moved to Billings in 1999.

Tony served on the MHSA Board of Directors, was President of both the Southwest and Southcentral School Administrators, and served on the MASS Legislative Committee.

Tony loved the outdoors and shared his passion of fishing and hunting with his boys. He loved playing the piano almost as much as everyone enjoyed listening to him play. He was the Saturday evening organist at St. Mary's Church in Stevensville for 17 years.

He was preceded in death by his parents A.D. (Dominic) Tognetti and Helen (Obstarczyk) Tognetti.

He is survived by his wife Inger of Billings; his three sons, Michael (Natalie) of Denver; and their three daughters, Mario of Madison, Wis., Nicolas (Erin) of Billings and their daughter; and a brother, Michael (Mary) Tognetti of Surprise, Ariz.

Funeral services for Anthony "Tony" Tognetti will be Thursday, Dec. 23, at 11 a.m., in St. Pius X Catholic Church in Billings. Cremation will follow the services. Inurnment will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery in Lewistown at a later date. The Cloyd Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to Rocky Mountain Hospice, 2110 Overland Ave., Suite 111, Billings, MT 59102 or the charity of their choice and they may be left at the Cloyd Funeral Home. Condolences for the family may be posted online at www.cloydfuneralhome.com.

Published by Billings Gazette on Dec. 21, 2010.