The Loss of Our Founder - Papa Tony On August 5th, 2008, we lost the man who started Villelli Enterprises, my grandfather Tony Villelli. For those that did not know “Papa Tony”, he was a real American hero and a true “American Dream” success story.  The son of Italian immigrants, he married his childhood sweetheart, went on to fight in  WWII where he was captured as a POW and had his back broken by a German rifle butt, which was recognized with a purple heart. He came home from the war battered, but not  broken.

Tony, Dick, and Tony Villelli, three generations of Villelli Realtors.

He and my grandmother (Bama) would move the family to La Habra, CA and open a restaurant at 1001 W. Whittier Blvd.

In the 50’s he was diagnosed with lung cancer and had one lung and part of the other removed.  He started Villelli Enterprises, Inc. and built quite a little real estate empire in La Habra, recently being recognized as one La Habra’s important historic leaders.  Making a good living for himself and his “friends”, (also known by most developers as investors, but Papa Tony only worked with people he liked) he also made sure to go the extra mile to do good for the community along the way.  Villelli Enterprises, Inc. still has its head quarters at 1001 W. Whittier Blvd.

 He managed to retire early.  (I remember dad saying getting him out of the office the first few years was like pulling teeth. He’d show up and give his opinion whether anyone wanted it or not.)   He finally went on to enjoy life, traveling with Bama and spending summers in their cabin on the Moyie River outside of Good Grief, ID.  This was the Papa Tony I remember best.  For years they made this journey entertaining as many people as they could possibly fit in the house and cabin.  There were years of BBQ’s, fishing trips, and birthdays parties.

Bama and Papa’s health both started to decline and we saw less of them as the trips to the cabin became more difficult. 

His most recent battle, a victory over prostate cancer really signaled the beginning of the end of his time with us.  He had lived with diabetes most of his life and recently his kidneys started to fail, which led to dialysis.  Papa Tony lived his life to the fullest, and was a perfect example of what hard work and “clean living” will get you.  I don’t know anyone who fits the saying “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” better than Papa Tony.  After 89 years of hard, but good living, Papa Tony deserves to rest in peace. 

I am certainly proud to be named after him!  May God and St. Anthony guide his soul home.

Tony Villelli