Edward “Tony” Waffen

Edward “Tony” Waffen, 73, died Dec. 4, 2011, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer. He was born March 26, 1938, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Edward Frank and Leah Cecilia (Hookes) Waffen.

A memorial Mass in his honor is at 11 a.m., Dec. 9 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1201 E. Bogard Road, Wasilla.

Tony, as he was known to his family and friends, worked as a teacher, counselor and administrator in the Inglewood California School District and the Southern California Regional Occupational Center, where he helped juniors and seniors in college select their career fields and get work after graduation.

When he retired in 1995 he moved to Alaska and worked for both Holland America and Royal Celebrity Tours as a rail guide. He enjoyed meeting the people traveling to Alaska and sharing what they could look forward to seeing the sights of the great state.

Tony will be remembered by his family as someone who had a great sense of humor who was always considerate of others and whose positive outlook on life he shared with family and friends he made along his life’s journey. He always will be remembered fondly for the dedication and generosity he had for his family and friends. Tony will be remembered as a loving husband, brother and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Surviving are his wife of 38 years, Dolores of Wasilla; sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Bill Hinz of Allegan, Mich.; nephew, Jason Wesaw of Kalamazoo, Mich.; and a host of friends.

The family suggests memorials in Tony’s memory be made to Saint Mary’s College, 1928 Saint Mary’s Road, Moraga, Calif., 94556 c/o scholarship fund.

Arrangements were entrusted to Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory in Wasilla.