Tony Bevacqua, 57
Tony Bevacqua, 57, passed away Monday night, Jan. 31, 2022, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, at Kootenai Health from cardiac arrest due to complications from a brain tumor.
Born Anthony Francis Bevacqua Jr. on Feb. 2, 1964, in Red Bank, N.J., Tony attended Pioneer High School in Whittier, Calif., and graduated in 1982. After attending Cerritos Junior College, Tony attended Colorado State University on a football scholarship. Tony graduated from Colorado State in 1989.
Tony played Semi-Pro Football in St. Gallen, Switzerland, and moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to begin a career as an educator. He began his teaching career in the East Valley School District as a P.E. teacher in 1992. In 1994, Tony welcomed his son, Mitchell Anthony Bevacqua, to the world. Mitch was the light of his life, and earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Washington.
In 2017, Tony met the love of his life, Tami. They married on Aug. 22, 2020. Tony was never happier than during this time. He found his life partner, who loved him as much as he loved her.
Tony coached youth baseball, football, and basketball. He coached these, along with volleyball at the middle school. While teaching and coaching, (Tony, Coach B, Big T), had a positive effect on many lives. Always the positive person, Tony made every life he touched better. He was bigger than life and loved by all. Tony cared about the kids and had an everlasting effect on thousands of lives. He wanted every kid to have a chance and believed they all could succeed.
His radiant personality and greater than life persona was always present. Tony was loved by all. The outpouring support from his youth, professional, and personal life is a reflection of how many people Tony affected. Anybody who met Tony loved him. His heart was bigger than his personality and would do anything for his friends and family.
Tony loved his wife Tami, his son Mitchell, the Miami Dolphins, the Colorado State Rams, cooking, entertaining, and making people happy.
Tony is preceded in death by his father Tony Sr. and survived by his wife Tami, mother Myrna, sons Mitchell and Justin, daughters Jessica and Alissa, sister Beth, brothers Matt (Haley) and Al (Colleen). Nephews Michael, Neal, Barrett, Nathan, Joshua, niece Brooklyn, great-nephews Nathan and Alex. Many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A Celebration of Life for Tony will be held from 2-6 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, at the Kootenai Fairgrounds, Building 1 located at 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Entrance on Government Way, through Gate 1/Clayton Street.
If you are unable to attend, a Facebook Livestream will be available at this web address: fb.me/e/74B9QpDTX
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to donate to the East Valley Middle School for the Tony Bevacqua memorial fund.
The website link to donate is: https://wa-eastvalley361-lite.intouchreceipting.com/
Please select East Valley Middle School from the school drop down, then select “Tony Bevacqua Memorial Fund” from the Donation Items drop down. You may leave a memo if you would like, but it is not required.
