KLELE, Anthony. It pains me to admit it, but apparently I have passed away from Pancreatic Cancer. Everyone tried to tell me it would happen one day, but it was simply not something I wanted to give in to, much less experience one day after my 62nd Birthday on March 23, 2018.

And so the story of my life began on March 22, 1956. My parents and older brother, John Michael (Mike) (Midland, MI) celebrated my birth and I was introduced to the world as Anthony George Klele (Tony), the son of George and Joan (Jackson) Klele of Miami, FL. I can't believe that happened, but there are records on file in the Court House which can corroborate this claim. In 1962 a third baby was born, Gabrielle Maria (Gabby) (Orlando, FL). Finally, a little sister to torment but then her Irish twin Patricia Ann (Patty) (Sanford, FL) arrived and the world and our home life were changed forever.

And not only in Miami, but later in Saratoga where in the summer months my brother and I would climb up to the roof of our three story home to spy on the girls sunbathing topless at Skidmore College. In the winter months we enjoyed giving our parents heart attacks as we would sleigh off the roof onto the busy road below.

Looking for snow year round, many years later I continued north until I found myself in Fairbanks, Alaska where I made lots of money driving the work bus and trucks for the Alaskan pipeline. After freezing for a couple of years there, I moved back to FL and settled in Casselberry with my brother and sister-in-law.

Memories…where do I begin? Well, I clearly remember spending my summers with my maternal grandfather in Savanna, GA where I helped him make moon shine and spend the entire day out fishing. He also taught me how to box since I was half the size of the other kids I went to school with. But I was fast and my legs saved me from getting beat up by the kids as well as smacks from my parents.

Once the Watson cousins moved to town it became a whole different ballgame. Their "house had a big back lot behind it and when it rained there was a huge puddle of water. Uncle Arthur, who was good at making things, got an idea of us using thin wooden boards that if you could get a running start and jump on the board without breaking your neck; you would glide the puddle. We had a ball. But my cousin Debbie said I was really good at it and would get on the board and stand on my head as I was gliding down the puddle. I know that is hard to believe but" she tells everyone the same story.

I also remember the wonderful aromas coming out of the kitchen and in time I started to cook alongside my Mother. We both learned to be great Mediterranean chefs and boy did we love to eat what we cooked!!! Other times I would ride my bike to my Father's TV shop and help repair the electronics that came into the place. I guess it was then that I found my calling; Collect junk and thru the marvels of engineering, repair it all.

Hobbies… The only difference between men and boys is the cost of their toys. (Author unknown) But it's true because I went from a cheap piece of wood to buying one jointly owned Piper Arrow PA28R airplane that never really made it off the ground and I never really did get my pilot's license. But I loved riding my Harley Davidson bikes (Super Glide, Low Rider and a FLHP Road King). Golf was fun once I learned not to play a game against my brother-in-law, John. It did however; get us out of work once a week in the cooler weather which drove the girls at Graseby Optronics crazy with jealousy. I started a collection of guns late in life and found out you can never have too many of them. I also loved my boats. I started with a 28' and then bought a 24' so that Lee and I could go Scuba diving, fishing, scalloping and lobstering. Did you know you can punch a shark in the nose because they cannot see straight in front of them? I know because I did it on more than one occasion. And for the first time, I bought a brand new boat, off the Convention room floor that I took out on the water only once before I got sick.

I married this sweet girl, Lee Anna Rogers whom I worked with at CTL and to my surprise she accepted my wedding proposal and we were married on August 28, 1981. Eighteen years later on July 4th, we had the best display of fireworks (or it could have been pain) in the delivery room as we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Danielle Rene' who has made me the proudest Father, my newest title.

Speaking of Titles…I've held a few in my day. I've been a devoted son, an inquisitive teenager, a loving husband and father. A true and loyal friend. A UCF Honors graduate and proud member of ETA KAPPA NU & PI BETA TAU. A Quality Assurance Engineer, Software Engineering Manager, RFI/EMI Test Facility Manager, System Design Engineer, Engineering/ Manufacturing Corporate Leader, Engineering Manager, and most recently President of my company Avelon Engineering, Inc.

Oh, and let's not forget the holder of a US Patent: Multi-GHz RF Water Probe – Patent #6,489,795 (along with my friend Seymour S. Lenz, Sr.) It's actually very good bathroom reading.

And if you don't believe me, just ask. Oh wait, I'm afraid it's too late for questions. Sorry.
So…I was born; I fought some tough health battles, I blinked; and it was over.

No buildings named after me; no monuments erected in my honor. But I DID have the chance to know and love each and every friend as well as all my family members including my 3 nieces: Sarah, Jennifer & Sarah and 5 nephews: Brian, Christopher, Trey, Hunter & John.

I'll leave you with this…please don't cry because I'm gone; instead be happy that I was here. (Or maybe you can cry a little bit. After all, I have passed away). Oh, and not to worry, you didn't overlook my Memorial Service as there wasn't one to miss. Instead my siblings are throwing me one hell of a Celebration in honor of how much they love me.
For details, please email Candace@avelon.us

So in the end, remember…do your best, follow your dreams, and make something amazing out of your life. Oh, and never stop smiling because I promise to Love you Always and Forever.

P.S. If you want, you can throw a couple of bucks in my honor to The National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or The American Cancer Society.

At the time of this printing, the family received two hand written notes that they wanted us to share that in short summed up Anthony's life.

"Unfortunately I never had a chance to really get to know Tony but judging from the contents of the warehouse, my impression is: A man that lived and pursued the dreams of a man's toys and hobbies." Heinze

"I thought Anthony was warm, friendly, helpful and smart. He had a smile that let you know he was interested in what you were saying. Also, his smile made you feel comfortable to be around him." Linda