Anthony Joseph “Tony” Dipiazzo passed away suddenly but peacefully at his home in Godfrey, IL., on Oct. 31, 2026.
He was born March 22, 1938, in Alton, IL., to Sam and Rose (Romano) Dipiazzo. When he was little, they called him Mouse; when he was older, they called him Sonny; and most of his life, they called him Tony. But those who knew him best called him dear husband, dad, grandpa, GG PA, brother, son, uncle, cousin and friend.
Tony spent his entire life in the Alton area, attending St. Mary’s Elementary School, Marquette High School and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. While in school he met his beloved wife and partner of 64 years, Dottie (Wilson) Dipiazzo, who survives him. They were married Sept. 8, 1962, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
He enjoyed a long career in the transportation and logistics field, working for Olin, Continental Grain and Jefferson-Smurfit, where he retired in 1999.
His true work, however, was raising his four boisterous children with his wife: Dan, Diana, Denise and Dennis. (In moments of frustration, those alliterative names got the best of him, as he called out for “Dannis” or “Dianise”.) He created a loving home and set an example of faith, diligence and good humor. Tony loved a good joke (and a long story) and was never afraid to make fun of himself.
In his later years, he enjoyed woodworking (with multiple cabinets around his house to show for it), reading and traveling with his cousins Mary Jo and her husband, Joel Buesteton and Judi Peck, and other close friends. He also was an active volunteer with the Helping Hands ministry at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Alton, where he and his wife were members.
In addition to his wife, Dottie, he is survived by his four children and their spouses and partners - Dan and Lisa Dipiazzo of Louisville, Ky.; Diana Kay and Joe Vance of St. Charles, Mo.; Denise Dipiazzo and Patricia Steadman of Lake Lotawana, Mo.; and Dennis and Kelli Dipiazzo of Jenks, Okla.- as well as six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Mary Grace (Dipiazzo) Mossman.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, at Ss. Peter & Paul Catholic Church in Alton. Memorials may be made to the church’s Helping Hands ministry or the 5A’s Animal Shelter.