Tony grew up in Bogota, NJ, where he met his life-long friend, Joseph Lavin. They were such good friends that Tony moved his family to Lincoln, NE, in 1983 after the Lavin family moved here the year previous. He retired as a distribution manager for Sandoz Pharmaceuticals. While working for Sandoz, Tony enjoyed monthly business trips and was grateful for frequent flyer miles and the Red Carpet Club rooms. He also enjoyed being on the company’s bowling team with his wife and work colleagues. Many Monday nights were spent at Gateway Lanes perfecting his game (he was pretty good!). Tony was a life-long New York Giants fan, but fully embraced “The Good Life” and Husker football.
Over the years, Tony had hobbies that included stamp and coin collecting, putting together puzzles, and needle pointing (which his wife taught him how to do as a way to “relax” after he suffered and recovered from a stroke in the early 1990s). Tony made sure all of his children knew how to drive a manual transmission prior to getting their driver’s licenses because, “then you can drive anything!” Tony was the family photographer and kept impressive (and chronological) albums of his family’s milestone events.
Tony spent three years in the Army immediately after high school. He then went into the workforce. He met his wife, Judi, and it was love at first sight. They were married February 11, 1967. Always a role model for his children, Tony earned his college degree from Doane [College] in 1988. He was part of Doane’s first non-traditional student program, and his family was there to watch him accept his degree.
As his children, we still laugh at him saying that he (and everyone else) could “see the capitol building” from the back deck of our childhood home. Dad loved Microsoft Excel and kept meticulous records. Dad loved to laminate recipes, photos to carry in his wallet, and anything else we wanted to keep as a forever memory.
Tony worked for the Home Depot at the Customer Service Counter for years, but many of you will remember him as the Home Depot Santa Claus. The man could grow the most amazing Santa beard! It was not unusual for strangers to ask if he would take a photo with their children during the Christmas season. Tony loved Christmas and its magic.
Survivors include son, Greg (Christy) Heinzmann, Lincoln, daughters Debbie Heinzmann (Bill Jones), Greenfield, WI, Kristy (Mark) Kotik, Lincoln; grandchildren Kyle, Joel, and Annie Heinzmann, Celeste Dickson, Libby and Maddy Kotik; furry four-legged companion (dog), Dusty; sister, Marian, as well as many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judi; and sisters, Lynn and Terry.
There will be a private family graveside service. We would like to thank the staff at Brentwood Estates for their exceptional care and the residents for their friendship.
Memorials may be given to the family for future designation.