Obituaries

Anthony Louis “Tony” Savarese, Age 79, of St. Charles died on Sunday, August 11, 2024.  He was born September 11, 1944, the son of Josephine M. nee DiStefano and Antony Paul Savarese and was raised in Long Island City, New York and Teaneck, New Jersey.

During his childhood he was very active in Little League Baseball, Football, and the Boy Scouts (he became a Star Scout).  In high school, Tony lettered in football, baseball, and track.  After graduating from Teaneck High School in 1962, he attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana (now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration.  He was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha social fraternity and served as the president of the Iota Omega Chapter his senior year.  Upon graduation, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and served from 1967 until 1971 as an Industrial Engineering Officer for Headquarters Military Air Lift Command, serving at Travis AFB, California and Scott AFB, Illinois separating with the rank of Captain.   While at college he met his wife, Elizabeth (Libby) Ann Smith of Gueydan, Louisiana.  Libby and Tony began their married life in the Air Force.  Married on February 17, 1968, they moved to California.  Tony had many Temporary Duty Assignments (TDY’s) while assigned to Headquarters, MAC.

Upon military separation, they moved to Atlanta, Georgia and Tony worked for the Fisher Scientific Company as a management trainee and was later promoted to inside sales manager.  In August of 1972, Tony went off to Washington, D.C. to fulfill a dream of becoming a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Upon completion of training in Quantico VA, their first office was Louisville, Kentucky.  In February 1974 they were transferred to Chicago and resided in Bloomingdale, IL until moving to St. Charles in August of 1999 where they have since resided.

While stationed at Scott AFB Illinois their first son, Anthony Todd, was born.  In July 1974, their second son, Gregory Allen, was born at Central DuPage Hospital, Winfield, IL.

During Tony’s FBI career he served on several Criminal Squads investigating Bank Robberies, Extortions, Kidnappings, Labor Racketeering and served as the Bank Robbery Coordinator, the Senior SWAT Team Leader/Coordinator and the Principal Firearms Instructor for the Chicago Division.  He participated in several major investigations throughout the United States and its territories and received numerous commendations for his service.

In 1979, Tony received his master’s degree with distinction from DePaul University graduating in Management of Public Service.

Upon his retirement from the FBI in 2000, Tony worked for Lockheed Martin Corporation as a Regional Firearms Instructor for the Chicago Area.  His responsibilities were to provide firearms instruction and qualification to the newly formulated Federal Flight Deck Officers (FFDO) Program which was established following the September 11^th tragedy legalizing airline pilots to fly armed as Deputy U.S. Marshalls.

Tony is survived by his wife of 56 years, Libby, sister, JoAnn (Ed) Sikorski, son Anthony Todd (Kathy), son Gregory A. (Nicole) and six beautiful grandchildren:  Emily, Jimmy, Sophia, Anthony, Joey, and Olivia, four nephews Eddie Sikorski (Nadia), Darren Sikorski (Trisha), Jonathan Sikorski (Kaya), Brian Smith (Tracie), and 1 Niece, Melissa Bales (Torin).  He was an active member of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI, both Nationally and within the Chicago Chapter where he served as the secretary until his death.  He was also a member of the St. Charles Kiwanis Club which was one of his favorite associations and pastimes.  In addition, Tony did enjoy and loved the outdoors: hunting, fishing, boating, photography and golf were some of his favorite interests and hobbies, but most of all was his genuine love of his family and friends.

His wake will be at the Yurs Funeral Home located at 1771 W. State St, Geneva, IL 60134 on Thursday, August 15^th from 2pm-8pm.   Interment will be following his 10:30am funeral mass at the St. Pat’s, Downtown Church @ 400 Cedar Street, St. Charles Il 60174, on Friday, August 16^th.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Chicago Chapter of the Former Special Agents Benevolent Fund www.socxfbi.org or the St. Charles Kiwanis Foundation www.kiwanisofstcharles.org

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