Anthony Bechemer

ANTHONY “TONY” BECHEMER age 85, beloved husband for 50 years of Janet (nee Kaleyta); dearest brother of Herb (Carole) and the late Nadine Taubert (Ted), Adele Hauck, and Ronald; dear uncle and great-uncle of many. U.S. Army Veteran.

A lifelong Cleveland area resident, Tony passed away on June 26, 2018.  Through the years, he worked in quality control for a number of Cleveland companies (GE, Gould, Westinghouse and Northrup Gruman) before taking early retirement.

As a 6’ 6” freshman Tony began competing in sports at Euclid Central where he received many letters and ribbons for his achievements.  He was district champ in two sports: track high jump and basket ball.  Sports became his passion, and he would later participate by playing on an amateur slow pitch team and also in golf and bowling leagues.   He was also an ardent follower of the Cleveland Indians, Cavaliers, Browns and the Buckeyes. When he was no longer able to attend games, he followed his teams on TV.

Tony was a true patriot.  While still in high school and without his parents knowledge, he falsified his birth date on an application to serve during the Korean War conflict.  When he received his army orders, his parents requested that the army please allow him to graduate first, which was done.

Brother Herb describes Tony as “a big brother and best friend”. The funniest thing he recalls is when Tony came to a Halloween party dressed as a 6’6” nun.

His niece, Nancy, depicts Tony as “Gentle Giant” and has many happy memories of him taking her family on vacations after her Dad passed away.  She has numerous memories of Tony that still make her laugh today.

Fred, his nephew, saw Tony as a caring person with a great sense of humor and has relied on Tony to tell him about his Dad, who Fred never knew since his Dad passed when Fred was only 9 months old.

Another nephew, Bill, made this comment: “Who could forget the big tall surly guy with the gruff voice and million dollar laugh; his peering over those glasses and facial expressions when he was trying to make a comedic point; his passion for sports. I realized a long time ago how special it is to have someone in your corner and in particular how nice it was to have someone take you under their wing. He is a great Uncle and in a lot of ways, parts of him will be with me forever”

Tony loved life, lived in the moment, and enjoyed making people laugh.  He will be missed by his many friends and family.

Please celebrate his life with happy thoughts as you know he would want of you.

In lieu of flowers, tributes in memory of Tony can be made with your favorite charity.

Family will receive friends at THE DeJOHN-FLYNN-MYLOTT FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD (between Bishop Rd. and Rt. 91) Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018 from 11 AM until Celebration of Life Service at 12 Noon. Burial with Military Honors at Lake View Cemetery.