Tony Paul Provenza Sr

On Saturday, March 16th, 2024, Tony Paul Provenza, Sr. passed away in Oxford, Mississippi at the Mississippi State Veteran’s Home where he was residing.  Tony was “98 years young” when he went to be with our Lord.

On September 12, 1925 in Greenville, Mississippi at Kings Daughters Hospital, Tony was born to Camille Portera Provenza and Vincent Provenza, Sr. His parents were emigrants to the United States from Cefalu, Italy in the early 1900’s.

He attended St. Rose of Lima, later renamed St. Joseph, from kindergarten through 10th grade. Tony completed his high school education at Greenville High School for 11th and 12th grades, where he played center on the football team.

Tony served in the United States Marine Corps from 1943 to 1946.  He participated in the invasion and capture of Peleliu, Palau Islands from September to October of 1944 and the occupation of North China – Tsingtao – 1945 through 1946.  He was discharged on May 4, 1946 from the U.S. Marine Corps with the rank of Corporal.

After his discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, he worked as a crankshaft regrinder operator at Goyer Supply Company in Greenville, Mississippi from 1946 to 1949. Upon his resignation from Goyer Supply, he attended the University of Mississippi from 1949 to 1952 and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. From 1952 to 1954, he attended the University of Mississippi Law School and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws. He completed his education in 1955 with a Master of Business Administration in Accounting at the University of Mississippi.

From there, Tony worked as an accountant in public accounting from 1956 to 1964 at Thomas E. Walsh & Co., CPA.  He then engaged in a private practice of public accounting from 1964 to 1966 and later worked as an accountant with the accounting firm of Haxton, Tarver, Kirby & Bradley CPAs from 1966 to 1969.  Thereafter, he worked as an accountant for several private companies in Houston, Texas including Tubes, Inc. from which he retired on May 31, 1994.  He then returned to Greenville, Mississippi and worked as an accountant with Continue Care Home Health from 1995 to 2000 and again retired at the age of 75. Until his passing, Tony continued to file his tax returns himself.

Tony was a life member of The American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National Rifle Association.

He was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Greenville, Mississippi.

Tony leaves behind one son, Tony Paul (Linda) Provenza, Jr., two daughters, Patricia Provenza (Oren) Atchley, Karen Provenza (Charles Robert) Cummings; two grandchildren, Lauren E. Atchley and Eli T. Cummings; along with numerous nieces and nephews including Albert Henrion, Jr., Jan Trinca, and Timothy Hambacher.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents Vincent and Camille Provenza and his wife, Ella “Ellie” Fotiades Provenza, and his seven siblings – Sam, John, Vincent, Jr., Sarah, Robert, Rosemary, and Josephine.

In lieu of flowers, Tony has requested to please make donations to a charity of your choice.