Tony - Anthony M. Powell. Age 56, is flying through the night and sleeping in the stars. He left us Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025. He is deeply missed by his family and friends.

Tony was born February 19th, 1969 in Portland, Oregon. He was the mixed race son of a single professional mother. He lived everywhere from Portland to Long Island and many places in between. These experiences shaped his life. At an early age, he learned a great respect for women and others who became the foundation of his personality.

Tony was adventurous, he loved music, travel, camping, hiking, and caving. The summer of 1986, Tony went to his first Grateful Dead show at Alpine Valley. At that point, Tony was turned on to tour life and followed the Grateful Dead on their cross country tours for many years. During these exploits, he found the art of tye dye and became an absolute master. His designs were so impressive that he was once suspended from E-Bay for an incredible t-shirt pattern inspired by the Creeper head (Sorry Mojang, just a family of superfans!).

Tony was a beautiful soul, full of energy and light! He wore his hair in dreadlocks as a sign of personal protest; it was his way to identify with his African roots and to show that he felt the pain of the world around him. He loved and embraced Ragae music and tried to treat everyone like brothers and sisters.

In 1997, Tony moved back to his high school stomping grounds, Naperville Illinois, and in October of that year, met his partner and wife at the river walk downtown. Starting as friends, their relationship quickly became a beautiful romance and within a year, they moved to the east side of Aurora Illinois, and made a life and family together. He was a loving and doting husband and father. Tony always made time to play with his boys. They would wrestle, play Minecraft, Roblox, and chess; he was always the fun dad.

In 2009, Tony and Heather had an epic wedding at a nature reserve in Peoria, Illinois in front of 100 of their closest friends and family, a gathering that people still talk about today. They then went on their honeymoon to Jamaica and made awesome memories and friends who treated them to open air meals of Ackee and saltfish, and they enjoyed beautiful beaches and cold Red Stripe.

In 2017, Tony invested in his family and their future. They moved from their long time Aurora neighborhood and friends to a home they purchased in Rochelle, Illinois in pursuit of an excellent school district for their sons. Tony proudly saw his oldest son graduate from Rochelle Township High School in 2021 and then from Northern Illinois University on a full scholarship in 2025.

Tony was the definition of a "Jack of all trades"; his skills and talents were mesmerizing; he could do anything! Tony was an excellent chess player, had a green thumb and could grow anything; he could write computer code, and fixed computers found on roadside dead. Tony was a skilled mechanic, and was excellent at electrical, plumbing, carpentry, concrete, HVAC, drywall, and so much more; he made everything look easy!

Throughout his career, Tony would have many jobs; he managed a plant tent every spring for FS in Champaign, Illinois. Tony was a full time dad, drove conductors for the railroad, ran a small decorative concrete company with his wife, but most often would work in commercial and residential maintenance (which was a great fit since he could do everything!). Tony worked for companies in Naperville, Aurora, Batavia, Saint Charles, Rochelle, and Rockford. Tony always impressed his employers, and enjoyed working with his fellow employees; he always handled his positions with respect and dignity even when faced with adversity. Tony was popular with his tenets whom he always treated with patience and kindness; in return, they showed their appreciation by giving him wonderful gifts at holidays and special occasions ranging from an antique cuckoo clock, specialty beers, so many gift cards, delicious baked goods, and even annual prayers and blessings from a prominent rabbi.

In 2024, Tony would leave his long time employment in Rockford to pursue his own business and to spend more time with his family. The night before Easter, Tony and Heather would see Damien and Steven Marley in concert (a night they would never forget). The next day on Easter, Tony would suffer from a life threatening health scare but would miraculously survive and recover to make the most out of 2024. Tony surprised his wife and son with tickets to see the Grateful Shred and would wrap up the night at a pop up street rave. Tony went to Aurora's basement of the dead with his wife and her bestie, and went on several Wisconsin vacations with his family to make memories and enjoy holidays.

Tony leaves behind his wife Heather, his sons: Anthony and Aaron, and his mother, Kathy, as well as a large extended family and so many friends.

Special thanks to the doctors, nurses, greeters, volunteers, valet, and all the other staff at the Saint Anthony Patricia D. Pepe Center for Cancer Care, who do God's work and are truly earth angels! Thank you for making every Wednesday feel special! Your excellence is appreciated and will never be forgotten. We were truly blessed to know you all! (Please be kind and have respect for your healthcare professionals!).

Extra special thanks and love to all the family, friends, and neighbors who put forward their time, energy, labor, money, and meals in 2025. Our family has been so blessed by you all. Thank you so much from the bottom of our hearts.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Tony's family would ask that you make donations in his memory to the OSF Saint Anthony Patricia D. Pepe Center for Cancer Care, or to a local cancer treatment center or charity in your area.

Tony's Tye Dye Festival of Life will take place in Rochelle Illinois on July 25, 2026. Please wear your favorite tye dye and join his family and friends for a day of music, food, fellowship and more to truly celebrate Tony's life. Please keep an eye out for updates to his obituary for details about location, times, etc.