Obituary of Antonio Oliveira

It is with great sadness that the family of Antonio Oliveira (Tony) announces his passing at his home on Friday, September 1, 2023 in St. Petersburg, Florida at the age of 93.

Born in Chicopee, Massachusetts on October 27, 1929, Tony was the son of the late Nicolau Borges De Oliveira and the late Deolinda Borges Da Costa. Tony’s family moved to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil shortly after his birth where he spent the majority of his childhood. He moved back to the United States at the age of sixteen and lived with relatives for a short stint while working as a singing waiter. In September, 1948 at the age of nineteen, he enlisted in the army and was stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington. He proudly served during the Korean war. After his three-year military service, Tony continued on to Seattle Pacific University where he graduated in 1955 with a B.A. in Theology. Later that year, he would be ordained in Open Bible Church. Tony subsequently launched the Burien Sign Company where he hand-painted unique signage for businesses around the Puget Sound area. He was known for his extraordinary talents as a sign painter.

Tony was blessed with a large and loving family. He married Lillian (Harriff) Oliveira on July 19, 1985. They were married for 38 years. Tony truly lived life to the fullest through simple pleasures. He loved spending time with his adoring family; all things soccer which he passed down to his children and grandchildren; tending to his yard and garden; and most of all, he loved the Lord, serving as a missionary in multiple countries, teaching theology in several churches, as well as enthusiastically ministering to his family and friends every opportunity he could.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Nicolau Borges De Oliveira and Deolinda Borges Da Costa; his brother, Augusto De Oliveira, sister, Cecilia (Celita) Borges Damasco; and granddaughter Jessica Entz. Tony is survived by his wife, Lillian Oliveira; his children, John (Joyce) Waring, Dan (Debbie) Oliveira, Aimee (Kurt) Young, Stefanie Jones, Amanda (Larry) Davis, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His beautiful smile and joyful love will be sadly missed by all.