On September 2, 2019, a 96 year old man who six kids called Dad, 19 grandkids called Grandpa T, and 37 great grandkids called Papa T, took his last breath.  He was an amazing, hardworking, faithful, humble man, whom so many respected and loved. Most important to him were his faith and love of family.  

Anthony Nick Cifaldi was born on August 15, 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Mariano (Sam) and Tomasina Louise (Zappa) Cifaldi. His family moved to Cumberland when Tony was one year old and settled on a farm south of Cumberland.  He attended Palmer Grade School and graduated from Cumberland High School in 1941. He was drafted into the Army Air Corps during WWII, serving from 1943-1946. During his service, he traveled around the world, half by air and half by sea.  

On October 5, 1946, he married Bernice Sweet, and they celebrated 73 years together and raised six children. In his early years, Tony played baseball and was an avid bowler.  He continued to bowl and participated in many tournaments for many years. In 1955, after living in St. Paul for five years, Tony and Bernice returned to Cumberland and he started his own body shop.  In 1963, Tony acquired the Chrysler, Plymouth and Dodge franchise, adding the Ford/Mercury franchise in 1984. He continued to be an active part of the Cifaldi Motors dealership until he sold in 2016.  He was Cumberland Jaycees' Boss of the Year in 1986. In 2004, he received the Lee Iacocca award for being a successful, self- made business owner and descendant from Iacocca's Italian Province of Benevento Italy.  Tony was a twenty year member of the Cumberland City Council serving on numerous committees. He served on the Board of Appeals until 2014. He loved the Packers, Brewers, Badgers and the Cumberland Beavers.

Tony and Bernice enjoyed traveling, which included five trips to Italy where they visited his extended family and ancestral homes of his parents.  They wintered in Arizona for 40 years and entertained many family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife Bernice of Cumberland;  five daughters, Toniann (the late Dale) Knutson, Rosemary (Rich) Rydberg, Carol (Brad) Curtis, Nancy (Tim) Gagner, all of Cumberland, and Alice (Terry) Fletch of New Richmond WI, and one son, Bob (Becky) Cifaldi  of Cumberland. 19 grandchildren: Kelly Poole, Lisa Burke, Brent & Kevin Knutson, Ryan Rydberg, Rochelle Olson, James, Eric & Mitchell Curtis, Erin Cox, Jay Gagner, Natalie Rose, Patrick, Michael, Joel & Blake Cifaldi, Caitlin Johnson, Garret Fletch, Jordan Seifert and 37 great grandchildren; sisters Angee Wilczek and Darlene (Paul) Hoffman. He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters: Angeline Cifaldi, Mary Gargaro and Rose Delahunt, his brother Sam Cifaldi and son in law Dale Knutson.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Cumberland on September 7, 2019 at 10:30 AM with Father Tom Thompson officiating.  Burial will be in St Anthony Cemetery. Pallbearers are his twelve grandsons. Military honors will be accorded by Anderson-Thompson Post #98 American Legion.

Visitation will be from 4-7 on Friday, September 6, 2019 at Skinner Funeral Home and for one hour prior to the mass at the church. 

Skinner Funeral Home of Cumberland is serving the family.

Last Update: Sep 04, 2019 7:55 am CDT