Anthony Joseph Tarchinski Sr.

Anthony Joseph Tarchinski Sr., “Big Tony”, 83, of Eldridge, passed very peacefully on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, surrounded by family after a brief illness.

Big Tony, one of nine children, was born on December 26, 1940, to Tony and Kate Tarchinski in Davenport, Iowa. After graduating from Assumption High School in 1959, Tony worked at Roemer Machine & Welding Company in Davenport, Iowa, which was co-founded by his father in 1940, and became co-owner of Roemer Machine along with his brother John.

On January 25, 1964, he married the love of his life Sylvia (Holzer). They had two sons, Anthony, Jr. and Scott.

Tony enjoyed a number of activities and hobbies. He coached baseball for many years in Davenport and then in Park View. He was an avid golfer and always ready to give you a pointer on the golf course or take your quarter for a greenie. He loved his Iowa Hawkeyes, whether it be basketball, football, or wrestling. His favorite thing to do was walk out of the tunnel at Carver Hawkeye Arena with the wrestling team with his brother Nick. Tony and Sylvia loved to travel nationally and internationally, going to several Hawkeye bowl games, Mexico, New Zealand, and Aruba to name a few destinations, but his favorite trip was to northern Michigan for the annual family reunion, which is embarking on its 57th year.

After retiring from Roemer Machine, he was most proud when his sons AJ and Scott took over and expanded the business. He loved being around family and friends during the holidays and any time a “pop up” Tarchinski party was started. It was a given that a euchre tournament was in the works.

Tony is survived by his wife of 60 years Sylvia, sons Anthony (Connie) Tarchinski, Jr. of DeWitt and Scott (Patricia) Tarchinski of DeWitt; grandchildren Aaron (Dustin) Tarchinski-Ash, Katherine (Jesse) Brackey, Eden (Nick) Johnson, Trevor Tarchinski, and Elizabeth Tarchinski; siblings Mary Ann Tolbert, Evelyn (Joe) Everhart, Nick (Le Anne) Tarchinski, Tom (Sally) Tarchinski, Kathy Picone, brothers-in-law, Dave Pfitzenmaier and Tom Sunderbrauch, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Tony and Kate Tarchinski, sisters Judy Sunderbruch and Teresa Pfitzenmaier, brother John Tarchinski, sister-in-law Karen Tarchinski, and brothers-in-law John Tolbert and Joe Picone.

A visitation will be held at Halligan-McCabe-DeVries Funeral Home on Friday, March 1, 2024, from 3:00-7:00 pm. To honor Tony’s love of the Hawkeyes, we ask that you wear your favorite Hawkeye apparel. Funeral services will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Davenport at 10:30 am on Saturday, March 2, 2024.

The family of Tony Tarchinski would like to thank the staff at The Summit and at Trinity ICU in Bettendorf for their amazing care and support for Tony and his family.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and Gilda’s Club.