Anthony "Tony" Joseph Lesa

Tony Lesa passed away unexpectedly at his home in Ontario, CA on Thursday, January 23, 2020 due to natural causes. Tony was born in Los Angeles, CA on June 13, 1968, and was adopted by Leon & Barbara Lesa. Tony was a kind-hearted, no nonsense man that loved a good laugh and to banter with anyone who could appreciate his no-frills character. He married the love of his life, Susie Vasquez, on April 17, 2015, instantly gaining five beautiful children: Derek, Rocquel, Jonpaul, Sarah & Elijahreign. Through Gods providence, Tony brought together the most unlikely group of people. While his family and friends are dismayed by his sudden passing, they're encouraged by, and find comfort in his remarkable legacy.

Tony grew up in Whittier, attending West Whittier Elementary School, Lydia Jackson, Dexter Elementary, and Whittier High School. Tony was diagnosed with diabetes as a teenager and learned as much as possible about the condition. Throughout his teenage years, he worked to mentor other kids with diabetes to give them hope in the midst of their disease. Tonys journey, following high school, began seeing a battle with alcoholism. He eventually found support in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and continued to embrace the lesson that his parents taught him that family doesnt just mean blood-kinship, rather family means those who love you enough to support you through tough & messy seasons of life.

Tony developed many key relationships in AA, and helped out fellow AA members as an apprentice on jobs here and there. He went on to start his own painting company in the mid 1990s, taking on large commercial jobs for venues such as the Block at Orange and the Irvine Spectrum. In recent years, Tony began working with his father, Leon, as a carpenter. Tony was known to clash with his dad on occasion, however the times working alongside his father were among the most important, fulfilling and formative times of both of their lives.

Tonys life story would not be complete without sharing about the women in his life. As an adopted son, he held a special place in his mother, Barbaras, heart. She loved him patiently and unconditionally and modeled to him the discipline of faithfulness. Tony also had a unique bond with each of his sisters, Krista & Kamey. Like Tony, Krista shared the fortune of being adopted into the Lesa family. The two of them would often banter with each other about who was favored more in the family. This always made for a special camaraderie between the two of them. And with regards to Kamey, lets just say that nothing was ever going to come between Tony and making sure his baby sister was taken care of; there wasnt anything that he wouldnt do for her. Through the influence of these three women, Tony was properly prepared for the woman of his dreams, Susie. After a lengthy courtship, Tony proposed to Susie in the year of 2012.

Tony had many interests, hobbies and passions in life. He was an avid outdoorsman loving activities from fishing to hunting, and gardening. In fact, Tony never preferred to buy flowers for Susie, instead, he loved planting plants for her and watching them grow together. Now, before these sweet gestures make Tony sound like a completely, hopeless romantic, it should be said that his love for baseballparticularly the Red Soxignited in him a whole other level of love and devotion. To say he was a Red Sox fanatic would be an understatement! And while The Green Monster may be a name for the left-field wall at Fenway Park, it was actually Tonys monster passion for helping others that set him head & shoulders over others around himself. Over the course of his years in AA, and throughout his life in the Whittier community, Tony mentored many men and also gave direction and provided insight to countless others. Even at such a short height, Tony was a giant of a man and will be missed deeply by his community.

Tony is survived by his wife, Susie; his children, Derek, Rocquel, Jonpaul, Sarah & Elijahreign; his grandchildren, Skye, Abby, Simon, Miles, Leo, Christian & Santiago; his sisters, Krista Lesa, Kamey and husband Ruben Carrillo; his nieces and nephews, Klarissa, Katarina, Keianna & Kash; his great nephews & nieces, Kirra, Miles & James; and his beloved parents, Leon & Barbara Lesa.

Tonys family asks that those in attendance at his funeral service to please wear red as a show of support for his love of the Red Sox, and also that those who are able to, bring an AA chip please.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 1, 2020 at 11:00am at Whittier First United Methodist Church, 13222 Bailey St., Whittier, CA (a location that Tony would often visit for AA meetings). A public viewing will be held the hour prior to the service at the church, starting at 10:00am. A reception will immediately follow the funeral in the churchs social hall.