Great-grandfather, longtime water district manager, traveler

Anthony “Tony” Poli, 81, of Claremont, died peacefully on September 19, surrounded by loved ones.

Anthony was born in Los Angeles on June 10, 1943, to Angelina Rizzotto and Biagio Poli. After graduating from Mark Keppel High School in 1961, he attended East Los Angeles College and opened a picture frame business.

In 1966 he and Dorothy Ann Lewis were married at St. Stephen Martyr Catholic Church in Monterey Park.

After returning from military service in 1969, he attended Pasadena City College on the GI Bill and later the University of Redlands. He learned the water business from the ground up, beginning with the City of Monterey Park and then the City of Azusa. He retired as the general manager of Rowland Water District in 2003 after 35 years in public works.

While retired, he and Dorothy traveled throughout North America and shared many wonderful moments with their family, friends, and grandchildren. He also remained active in the water industry as a board member of Puente Basin Watermaster.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy; his sister, Florence; children Lisa, John, and Sam; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.