Richard Anthony

Richard (Dick) T. Anthony, owner and manager of Anthony’s Italian Restaurant, died September 10, 2016; he was born November 5, 1950 in Columbus, Ohio. After graduating from Sylvania High School in Sylvania, Ohio in 1968, Dick received his bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University in Sociology in 1972. Working part time at the Cork and Cleaver restaurant in college, Dick became interested in the restaurant business so he pursued a career with Cork and Cleaver managing several of their restaurants. Then he joined the Hatch Cover restaurant in Colorado. In 1983 Dick and his wife, Denise and his daughter, Julia moved to Tallahassee to pursue opening a restaurant. Along with his parents, Phil and Amelia Anthony and his brother, Bill and his wife, Roz, Anthony’s Italian Restaurant at Betton Place was opened. Being managed by Dick and Denise, it became a place to celebrate many special occasions making it one of Tallahassee’s finest for about 27 years. Dick and Denise also started the Copper Rose and Anthony’s Woodfire Grill.

In high school Dick was part of a band, Harris Tweed, singing many of the Beatle’s Songs and playing the tambourine. He was great with humor and knowing what to do and say for the situation. Dick had many great lasting friends both as customers and restaurant employees; the restaurant business was his life. His family remembers him for being loving, caring, and his fun, jovial ways often playing tricks on his daughter, Julia and two nieces, Cathie and Sarah.

Dick is survived by his wife, Denise and his daughter, Julia and her husband, Ryan; his brother, Bill and his wife, Roz; and three nieces, Cathie; Sarah and her husband, Nathan; Angie and her husband, Glenn; and one nephew, Tom and his wife, Katie. Dick has 4 close cousins, 3 great nieces, and 4 great nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Phil and Amelia Anthony and his sister, Anita Watkins. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Dick Anthony’s name to American Diabetes Assoc., donations.diabetes.org/donate. A private “celebration of his life” is planned for the immediate family.

Arrangements under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.