Tony Wise

Tony Wise, 48, passed away amongst family at his childhood home in Kennewick on March 14th after a long battle with cancer. He lost his mother and brother before him – Gloria and Terry Wise. He leaves behind his wife Jaime; daughter Livia; father Larry, sister Larissa, many close friends and relatives, and about half of the Tri-Cities and beyond if you count all the people who knew and loved him.

He was born on August 27th, 1975. Once at a middle school rally, Tony introduced himself as “Joe Cool” – and he was. (Maybe not that day but soon after.) Tony was involved in too many things to mention them all, but he made friends wherever he went. He graduated from Kennewick High in 1993. Baseball was his sport and a big part of his life. He played from little league to the adult league – “First Base, No. 27, Tony Wise!” There were championships, almost championships, and a million stories that could better be told by his many teammates over the years (and to a smaller audience.)

His college career started in Pasco at CBC, moved southeast to Georgia, then back to Ellensburg, and after some time in Lake Tahoe dealing cards, Tony got his degree in “Leisure and Recreation Management.” Back in Kennewick, Tony soon became a basketball official (something his father also did when he was young) refereeing high school games for over twenty years. He climbed the ranks in the association and was ranked #1 as an official more than once. Even when Tony became too sick to referee himself, he often watched from the stands to help out the newer officials.

As his father retired, Tony took over management of the family business, Tri-City Glass in Kennewick. He connected with many people in the area through Tri-City Glass, not only through business and overseeing the many friends (and sometimes vagabonds passing through) who worked there but by giving to the community – sponsoring players, kids sports teams, and giving to/getting involved in local charity events.

On September 27th, 2007, in a small Las Vegas ceremony surrounded by close friends and family, Tony married his wife, Jaime, and gained parents-in-laws Dan and Arlene Silinovich and sister-in-law Jessica Serrano. Tony and Jaime added to their family with the birth of their daughter Livia in 2015. Tony enjoyed spending time with his family and could often be seen with Jaime and Liv at the waterpark, the playground, the trampoline park and later at Livia’s many team sports games, even becoming a coach when the team was in need.

When you were with him, it wasn’t unusual for Tony to get stopped by someone for a brief conversation only to learn afterwards that he knew them from the gas station he sometimes stopped by, or the bagel shop, or the “mocha milkshake” shop. When Tony was little he often walked around with his hand up by his armpit like he had a little wing –

probably just practice for later when he had his mitt on that hand. He was annoyingly quick to pick up things… like video games, flying drones, and riding 4-wheelers. His cousin Annie named her cat after him. He hated it if you tried to pop his toes. He loved animals more than he let on. He loved Sunday spaghetti. He loved messing with his mom. He loved being “Uncle Tony.” He loved watching Livia play with her cousins. He loved his little girl, his wife, his family, and his many close friends.

Tony only became better with age. The world is a sadder place with him having left it so soon. Joe Cool was easy to love. A viewing will be held on Friday, March 29, 2024 from 4:00-8:00pm at Hillcrest Funerals and Cremation, 9353 W. Clearwater Ave., Kennewick, WA. Graveside services will be on Saturday, March 30th ~ 1:00pm at City View Cemetery, 1300 N. Oregon Ave., Pasco, WA.