Beloved longtime GRF director Antonio ‘Tony’ Dodero dies

by Ruth Osborn

rutho@lwsb.com

Longtime Golden Rain Foundation (GRF) Director Antonio “Tony” Dodero, 84, representing Mutual 9, died Aug. 13, 2023, after a brief illness. He took his last breath as he held the hand of his wife, Marge, with his five children surrounding him.

He leaves a legacy of excellence in his work life, family life and retirement life. He was a NASA engineer, a Navy veteran and, perhaps most precious to Tony, a devoted family man who led a life of service in his community.

He served on the Mutual 9 Board of Directors for 17 years and then as a Golden Rain Foundation director for six years, up until the time of his death.

GRF President Marsha Gerber dedicated the Aug. 22 board meeting to his memory and called him a “beloved member of our board.”

“This is a significant loss to all of us,” said GRF Vice President William Thompson. “I was on the Security, Bus and Traffic Committee with Tony for several years. I was always delighted in his competing affections. One was for family, which manifested itself in his lobbying for enough annual entry passes to distribute to each of his score of grandchildren.”

“His other affection was for the Cushman utility vehicles. As their service extends to 30 or 40 years, Tony often asked whether Cushman No. 340 had gotten its new transmission, or Cushman No. 329 been fitted with a new box, as if inquiring about a friend who had been in the hospital. He knew every Cushman by heart, and probably was instrumental in keeping them going so long.” Dodero was elected to the GRF Board in the fall of 2017. In addition to Security, Bus and Traffic, he served on the Architectural Design and Review, Recreation, Finance, Communications and Mutual Administration committees.

In his last GRF campaign statement, he wrote: “I have really enjoyed working with this group of hard working GRF Directors. . . . and I promise to try to help preserve our wonderful way of living as an active senior residence.”

He came to every meeting prepared, not only reading the stacks of reports that give context to every issue confronting GRF leaders, but also giving them serious thought.

Apart from GRF service, Dodero was widely known in Leisure World for his exuberant leadership in the Italian-American Club, American Legion Post 326, and jazz, pinochle and cribbage clubs. He loved bingo and organizing trips for various clubs. He was also an Exalted Ruler of the Elks Club, Lakewood Lodge; in fact, he usually ended up presiding over every club he joined.

He was married to Marge for 63 years. The couple’s five children had 14 grandchildren, who span in age from 5 to 30. “They are all hard workers with good hearts,” said Marge, adding that the group includes two aspiring veterinarians among the other college-bound kids.

Dodero was an accomplished aerospace engineer and climate control specialist, working with NASA in the heyday of its space program. He was part of the team that helped the crew of Apollo 13 make it back to Earth in April 1970 after an oxygen tank failed two days into the mission.

He was heartbroken on Jan. 28, 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members aboard. “He knew every one of the crew members very well. That was a hard day,” Marge said.

He was employed by all the aerospace giants—Hughes, Rockwell, Boeing—in a distinguished career that spanned decades.

His family lived in Cerritos among other Southern California locations, where he coached Little League and led camping clubs. He was a leader in his church and even in retirement went to church weekly.

Marge and Tony moved to Leisure World in 1998, and Tony retired in 1999. In addition to clubs and leadership service here, he volunteered his time with the Golden Age Foundation at the annual flu clinics and tax assistance programs.

Marge attributes their long and happy marriage to divine intervention. Her mother set an example of prayer and told Marge that if she wanted something, pray! Marge was dating someone, but she was aware of Tony. They both attended the same Catholic high school. So, she began 30 days of prayer, asking God to help her choose well. On the thirtieth day, Marge was waiting for a bus, and Tony broke off a conversation with a girl, walked up to her and asked her to go out with him.

Later, Marge asked Tony why he approached her on that particular day: “I saw you, and I had the urge to ask you out, so I did,” he replied.

It’s one of the mysteries of life and love, of ties that bind forever, but both were sure that their marriage was blessed from the beginning, and the abundant fruit of this 63-year union bears that out.

Perhaps GRF President Gerber summed it up best when she said: “Tony loved life and his adoring family. Tony was unique. There will never be another Tony Dodero.”

Survivors include his wife, Marge; sons Tony Dodero (Beth), John Dodero (Esther), Brian Dodero (Leilani) and daughters Angelique Perkins (Greg) and Brandi Padilla (Santos) plus 14 grandchildren.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Dec. 16, at Holy Family Catholic Church in LW, followed by a Celebration of Life at Clubhouse 4.

Tony Dodero and his wife Marge celebrate an anniversary.