Tony was born July 7, 1941, in Viveros, Spain, where he attended seminary school, until joining the Spanish army at age 17, to help provide for his family. After serving in combat he was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant at the age of 21.
After his army life he moved to Switzerland, where he lived and worked until his arrival into the United States in the early 1970s. He lived in Niagara Falls, N.Y., and obtained his U.S. citizenship on June 15, 1973. His work took him to Canada, Las Vegas and eventually Alaska in the spring of 1979. Tony worked a wide variety of jobs to include card dealer and pit boss in Las Vegas, commercial fisherman, cannery worker and certified welder in Alaska. His resume included seismograph worker, cab driver, bartender, tobacco field worker and many other occupations. The last four years he worked both as a volunteer and as an employee of the Homer Food Bank.
Raised as a Catholic, he was a devout Christian and attended services when he could. He also was a past member of the Homer Lions Club, a 15-year member of the American Legion General Buckner Post 16, a 25-year member of the Homer Elks Lodge #2127, a past member of the Anchorage Moose Lodge #1534 and a volunteer at the Homer Food Bank. He received many awards and recognitions for his commitment and hard work in helping these organizations succeed.
His passions included taking care of and playing with the dog and cats. He loved children and enjoyed making them smile and laugh, growing flowers and berries so he could share them with others and visiting with people, especially those less able to get out and about.
Surviving family include his brother, Jesus Montesinos of Cordoba, Spain; sister, Ecencia of Valencia, Spain; long time friend and companion Claire Deitz; sons, Allen Deitz Jr., Kenneth K. Deitz, David Deitz; daughter, DaKean Jones; son-in-law Donald Jones; grandchildren Kenneth “Kad” A. Deitz, Chayla Rogers, Chauna Steen, Cherilyn Mitchell, Ernest Deitz and Edward “Eddie” Jones; great grandchildren Hailli Rogers and Langdon Rogers; and extended family. His adopted family includes many who called him Uncle, Brother, Grandpa or Friend, all of whom he took into his heart and adopted as his own family.
Both his parents and his oldest sister, Matilda, preceded Tony in death.
Arrangements were with the Homer Funeral Home.
Memorial services were held March 25, 2006, at the Homer United Methodist Church. Immediately following, graveside services and interment were held at Hickerson Memorial Cemetery on Diamond Ridge Road. Officiating at the services were the Rev. Dan Lush and members of the American Legion General Buckner Post 16. Kenneth K. Deitz, David Deitz, Donald Jones, Edward Jones, Fred Yenney, Fred Estes and Max Lopez honored Tony as pallbearers.
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