Anthony Joseph Loretti, Jr. (Tony) was born on September 8, 1936 to Anthony Joseph and Genevieve (Corpolongo) Loretti in Sand Springs, Oklahoma. Gifted with a kind and gentle manner, he also had a great sense of humor. Whenever he was asked where he grew up, he would answer "The Springs." The universal reply was "Palm?" He would quip, "No, Sand."
He attended St. Patrick's Elementary School in Sand Springs, and graduated in 1954 from Holy Family Cathedral High School in Tulsa, where he was the quarterback of the football team and a pretty good baseball player. He turned down two baseball scholarships from out-of-state colleges, choosing instead to attend the University of Tulsa. He pledged the Kappa Alpha Fraternity and was a TU cheerleader. His friends described him as one of the best-dressed men on campus. Originally scheduled to graduate in 1958, he switched his major from journalism to business and embarked on the "five-year plan," graduating in 1959. He joined the Air National Guard, and attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.
Tony began his business career in 1959 with Olivetti, S.p.A., an Italian manufacturer of business machines and later computers, working for years in Los Angeles and Chicago. He eventually returned to Tulsa in the 1960s, and remained in marketing of computer components and related products until his retirement.
He became the proud father of son Tony and daughter Stephanie, and found joy as a single parent during their high school years. On a blind date in February 1985, Tony met his future wife Claire, and on that night they each found the love of their lives. Sharing many mutual interests, they embarked on a 39-year journey of friendship, love, running marathons, travelling, cooking and chili competitions (Tony only!). They married in 1988, and enjoyed countless trips across the U.S. and Europe. Tony's favorite places were Santa Fe, NM and Saas-Fee, Switzerland. To the end, he maintained friendships from every phase of his life, and had too many nicknames to list here.
Tony was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his wife, The Honorable Claire V. Eagan; his son Anthony J. Loretti, III; his daughter Stephanie Loretti Roush (Danny); his four granddaughters Nora (Cameron), Emma, Eva, and Isabella; the extended Loretti and Eagan families; and his two godsons Leo and Henry.
Enjoy a bowl of chili in his memory. ONWARD!!
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, May 31, 2024, at Holy Family Cathedral, 820 South Boulder Avenue. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, or Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, Tulsa.