Antonio "Tony" Jimenez

Antonio (Tony) Jiménez departed this world peacefully on February 12, 2024, surrounded by his loving family. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease at the age of 58, Tony displayed unwavering courage and stubbornness, fighting and living life for another 24 years. 

Born on June 13, 1941, Tony was the only child of Ramon Honorio Jiménez and Maria Antonia Orozco in Guanabacoa, Havana, Cuba. In 1961, at the age of 19, he left Cuba after loudly vocalizing his disdain for the Castro regime. After being tipped off that the police were going to come for Tony, his father hid him at a family farm in the countryside until forged documents could be procured. Once armed with these documents, Tony left Cuba for Miami, Florida. 

His first job in the U.S. was snake hunting in swamp lands in Miami. This lasted only four months and he relocated to Denver, Colorado, accepting an invitation from a Cuban friend and landing a job as a busboy at The Brown Place. As the only one in his group to own a car, Tony became the go-to for double dates, a role that would ultimately lead him to his future wife, Sally Rafferty. After charming Sally with his Cuban good looks, big brown eyes, sweet talk, and begging forgiveness with donuts in hand for his constant tardiness in picking her up for mass, she agreed to marry him. 

On July 11, 1964, Tony and Sally were married in Lake Forest, IL. Their journey took them to Iowa, where their first son was born, then to Indiana, and eventually back to Denver, Colorado, where a daughter and two more sons were born. Tony earned his BS in Business at the University of Colorado Denver, balancing academics with full-time work. The majority of Tony's career unfolded at Coors Tek, were he worked for 27 years in sales, retiring as an International Sales Manager. His job took him to numerous countries around the globe. He would often bring back unique gifts for Sally and their children. On one occasion, following a trip to Brazil, he arrived home with a mounted piranha for each of the kids.

Tony had an affinity for baseball, which is revered as a sacred pastime in the Caribbean.  He played throughout his childhood and teen years, excelling in hitting and fielding. Tony enjoyed playing softball with the Over the Hill Gang in the Coors softball league. Known for hitting the ball great distances, he quipped that he had to hit the ball far because he was such a slow runner, he needed the time to make it to safely to base. Tony also played tennis and golf. Renowned for his competitive spirit, he never handed victory to his children easily. Triumphing over Tony at any game, whether tennis, poker, or ping pong, was a hard-earned victory celebrated with pride. A fervent supporter of the Denver Broncos and Colorado Rockies, Tony enjoyed attending games with his family and religiously watched them on television. Tony was an avid reader, sport talk and news channel watcher, and loved going out to eat, all of which he continued to enjoy as his Parkinson’s Disease progressed. The family would like to extend special thanks to his caregiver of several years, Kriston Sexton. She took wonderful care of Tony and helped him continue to find a measure of joy in the activities he loved.

His legacy lives on through his wife Sally, four children - Tony (Jennifer), Sheilah (Richard), Kelly, Ryan (Claudia), 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren. Tony's memory will be eternally cherished for the love he showered upon his family, his pride in the achievements of his children and grandchildren, his indomitable perseverance, his incredibly dry wit, and the warmth of his infectious smile. 

A Funeral Mass will held Wednesday, February 28, 2024 at 11:00AM at Christ on the Mountain Catholic Church,  13922 West Utah Avenue, Lakewood, Colorado.  A reception will immediately follow in the church hall. 

Memorial contributions may be made in Tony's honor to:

https://www.parkinson.org/

or 

https://www.ddfl.org/

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