Anton J. Cerveny

Anton Joseph "Papa Tony" Cerveny, 96, of Alamogordo, NM, formerly of Harvard, died Tuesday, July 22, 2014. He was born May 13, 1918, in Chicago. He was Director of Virginia, IL, bands for 6 years and Harvard High School bands for 28 years, building the instrumental music department culminating in multiple State Sweepstakes winners & Runners-up. In 1973, the band participated in an international competition in Vienna, Austria earning top honors. "Papa Tony" truly loved the students under his direction and was grateful for the abundance of community support and pride. He was one of the early founders and ongoing promoters of Harvard Milk Days and was its Grand Marshall in 2004.

Tony was a World War II Veteran of the US Navy and served in the Pacific. He later attained his graduate degree from Northwestern University.

"Papa Tony" was a Bassoonist for the Chicago Symphonic Orchestra, the Longines Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Civic Opera Orchestra, Kryl's Symphony Orchestra, the Illinois Symphony, WGN Radio, Sonja Henie's Hollywood Orchestra and several other stage show orchestras. He also taught at Wesleyan University. Papa Tony was inducted into the National Bandmasters Hall of Fame (Phi Beta Mu) in 1990. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Moose and American Legion. In later years, Anton ran a small marketing specialties business called "Suz-A Pouch Company".

Anton was a proud father of four children: Dan, Tony (Pam), Maria Showalter and Ron (Beth); grandfather of 8 and great grandfather of many more.

He was predeceased by Margaret, his loving wife of 57 years, son Dan and a brother Louis.