Anthony “Tony” Sidonio was born December 5, 1947 in New York City, and grew up in Huntington Station on Long Island. His mom described him as a curious and thoughtful child who, from a very young age, cared deeply about the world around him. Throughout his life, Tony enjoyed working with his hands and creating via handwritten letters, woodworking, and gardening.
Tony felt called to service and enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17 as an infantryman in the Vietnam War. He fought on the front lines in some of the worst battles of that war before his 18th birthday, was wounded in combat, and received a Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice. Tony built many strong friendships throughout his life, before and after his service. After returning Stateside from military service on a Friday the 13th – a day he would jovially observe as a day of “good luck” thereafter – he met his future wife, Marianne. They began their love story adventure, which would lead them across the country equipped with a few belongings in a refitted old work van, and good girl mutts named Boo and Sasha. Tony told Marianne before they set off, “I fought for this country. Now I want to see every inch of it.”
Their journey took them to countless hiking trails, state and national parks, and nature conservatories across the country. Tony and Marianne fell in love with the Ozark Valley and bought land in Yellville, Arkansas where they’d eventually settle down. Before returning to Yellville, Tony was in a catastrophic motorcycle accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury prior to the age of 30. The doctors said Tony’s chances of survival were very low, and if he did survive, his chances of brain or motor skill function were even lower. With Marianne’s steadfast support, Tony beat all those odds and not only survived but walked, talked, wrote and then several years later welcomed his only daughter, Katie.
After decades spent in the Ozark Valley, Tony moved to the mountains of Colorado where he’d live out the rest of his years.
Tony was a survivor. A contrarian. A deep thinker. A fighter for what he believed to be good. He loved to eat and had a lifelong reverence for music, animals, and nature. If he liked you, he made sure you were aware. If he didn’t, well – he made sure you knew that, too. He was witty, intelligent, thoughtful, and felt things deeply.
Tony is survived by his daughter, Katie.
In his words, “No one’s getting out of here alive, so we might as well have some fun while we’re at it.”
Tony will be laid to rest with full military honors at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, overlooking the mountains he loved so much, later this year.
Rest now, Tony.