Anthony Tenisci
Anthony Tenisci Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Anthony (Tony) Tenisci on Saturday, October 28th, 2023, in Philadelphia, PA after a year long battle from cancer.
Tony was born in San Vito Chietino in the Abruzzi region of Italy on September 21st, 1949. He was born breaking records and at the time he was the 2nd biggest baby born in Italy!
He sailed for Canada with his mother and sister in 1951 to join his father who had found work in Trail, B.C. Canada. There, he grew up surrounded by loving aunts, uncles, cousins and a vibrant Italian community.
At the age of 13 he began his track and field career. He became a Midget, then Junior and Senior Canadian and North American record holder. UPenn athletics wrote a beautiful tribute that sums up his hammer throwing achievements and coaching career. He loved the UPenn community and devoted endless hours to the craft of coaching. Thank you from the family to those who wrote these articles!
Tony also loved his Washington State University Cougars. He accepted a full scholarship to WSU and while there, he became a four-time NCAA All-American in the hammer throw for the Cougars. He took a year off in 1971 to go to Germany and train with the German hammer throwers. He went on to compete and pursue studies in Moscow, Russia. After graduating in 1974 with a degree in Physical Education, Tony accepted a 2-year teaching position in Adelaide, Australia. When he returned, he taught for 2 years in Nanaimo B.C. Canada. In 1978, he returned to WSU and completed a master’s degree in physical education with an emphasis on Kinesiology.
Tony coached at WSU and Cornell University before arriving to stay with University of Pennsylvania for over 30 years. He loved Philadelphia. With his extensive knowledge of Philadelphia history and architecture, he would give his family members epic 8-hour walking tours of the city. He loved to work out in the gym and for decades would spend at least 4 hours per day dedicated to body building. Time with family, biking, reading, traveling the world (many times over) and corresponding with his beloved friends worldwide were the things that gave him much joy.
He is predeceased by his parents Maria and Fausto Tenisci. He is survived by his two sisters, Dialina and Laura (Don), his two nieces Adina (Leif) and Siena (Charlie), his great nieces and nephews Oona May, Atlin, Adriana and Emory, his many cousins in Canada and Italy, and his loving friends around the world who were as dear as family to him. We shall miss Tony’s great sense of humor, his big loving heart, and his vocal encouragement to live your best life.
Services to celebrate his life will be planned for Spring: one in Trail B.C where he will be laid to rest near his parents, and one in Philadelphia during the week of Penn Relays.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or to a charity of your choice.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anthony Tenisci, please visit our floral store.
