Anthony Chyrel Reece's Obituary
Who was Anthony a.k.a. Tony Reece? First and foremost, he was a child of God.
Some descriptions from those who knew and loved him were: pioneer, maverick,
compassionate, foodie, enigma, enterprising, intelligent, spontaneous, free-spirited, funloving, hard-hard-hard-working, enthusiastic, party-loving, amiable, high-spirited, lifeembracing, loving, caring, humble, reserved, artistic, avid traveler, music and
photography aficionado, universally liked.
Anthony was born in East Harlem in New York City to James C. and Lovonia Milton
Reece. He attended Wadleigh Secondary School’s gifted program within the NYC
public school system, later receiving a scholarship to the affluent Putney School in
Vermont. Upon graduation he was admitted as an art major to the Pratt Institute. In the
course of this time he met his sweetheart and wife, Leslie, and together they raised two
children, David and Jennifer, and suffered the loss of their youngest child, Christina.
Tony began his career in computer programming and systems engineering, during
twenty-three years of which he was employed by Bell Atlantic, which then became
NYNEX and ultimately Verizon. His lifelong love for travel and photography, fostered
since childhood, took him to more than twelve countries and helped shape the lens
through which he viewed life. Within it all, he maintained a unique way of combining his
artistry within the technological craft. Interwoven within his vocation, he began various
entrepreneurial endeavors, including photography, web and graphic design, and internet
services. Upon relocating to San Diego, California, Tony assisted with caring for his
mother while holding part-time jobs for the Sheraton and Weston hotels and Enterprise
Rent-A-Car.
Tony continued working right up until the final weeks of his life even after receiving a
fourth-stage pancreatic-cancer diagnosis in 2020 and despite undergoing medical
treatment. Through it all, he always retained hope and continually instilled positivity in
others, whether as an employee, coworker, or neighbor. Anthony was a well respected
and kind husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, godfather, and friend. He
journeyed peacefully to his eternal home surrounded by family.
He is survived by his wife, Leslie; his son, David Reece; his daughter, Jennifer Patton,
and her husband, Dennis; granddaughters, Alisa and Krystianna Patton; grandson,
Breydan Reece; sister, Patricia Kenison; brothers, Cornell and Kelvin Reece; sister-inlaw, Charlotte Reece; niece, Nannette Kenison, and her husband, John; nephew and
godson, Kalik Reece, and his wife, Cicely, and their children; nephew, Jamal Reece,
and his wife, Samantha, and their children; sister-in-law, Gwen Maristany, and her
children, Alita and Pablo Maristany; Alita’s fiancé, Errol Hibbert; and her son; as well as
a host of cousins.
http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/80884/hash:5AB6B2EA3805E4A6
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