Antonio Tonci "Tony" Bucci

With sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and friend, Antonio Tonci “Tony” Bucci. He was born May 22, 1929 to Giacomo and Maria (Borcich) Bucci in Komiza, Island of Vis, Croatia. He passed away on April 24, 2018 surrounded by loved ones. Tony was a resident of San Pedro for 69 years. At the age of 13, he left his hometown during World War II, and spent his teen years in Italy with his family. After immigrating to the United States, he served in the US Army as a translator in Germany during the Korean War. He earned an A.A. degree from Harbor College and had a long career as an electronics technician. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of La Verne and taught electronics at Harbor Occupational Center for 18 years. Tony loved nature, especially birds. He raised canaries and other birds his entire life, and became well-known internationally as a bird breeder, show judge, photographer and author. He traveled to Australia, Africa, South America, Europe and other locations to study birds. He was the founder of the American Canary Fanciers Association. Sailing was another passion he had throughout his life. Tony was proud of his Croatian and Italian heritage, and he maintained contact with cousins and long-time friends in several countries. He was a self-taught artist (painting and sculpture). He loved to create portraits of family members and scenes of his beloved hometown, Komiza. He was also active in amateur radio. Tony is survived by his wife of 61 years, Stella, sons Antonio (M.B. Morgan), James (Venus), and Paul, daughter Lisa (Keith) Krallman, grandchildren Correne (Bobby), Paul, James, Emeleine (Leighton), Summer, Antonio, Nicolas, Joseph and Adrian, and great-grandchildren Liam, Luca and June. Tony also leaves behind his brother and best friend, Pjerin (Marian) Bucci, sisters Lucia (Robert) Holmes and Mirjana (James) Bassett, and many nephews and nieces whom he loved. Services will be held at 9 am on May 12, 2018, at Green Hills Memorial Chapel in Rancho Palos Verdes. In memory of Tony, in lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the Audubon Society ( www.audubon.org ).