Roll Call Tribute
Anthony "Tony" Specia '55 September 13, 2021 11:45 AM updated: September 13, 2021 1:18 PM
Anthony E. Specia
November 18, 1932 - August 9, 2021
Anthony E. Specia, always known as Tony, was born on November 18, 1932, to John J. Specia and Annie Bolner. He was the youngest of three children. Tony attended St. Henry’s primary school and then graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1951. Tony loved basketball and played all through high school; where he played starting point guard and received scholarship offers to play in college.
He chose to attend Texas A&M University where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in Business Marketing. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the basketball team. Upon graduation, Tony was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He served at Fort Benning, Georgia for about one year. After the army, he then returned to San Antonio to join his father, uncle, and older brother in the family plumbing and electric business.
On June 22, 1957, Tony married his friend from childhood, Mary Ellen “Len” Daniel. They went on to have four children: Arden, Andrea, Grant, and Ashley. Tony had a zest for life and was a hard worker. He worked for IBM in the early days and enjoyed selling products to his customers in the San Antonio area. In the early 1960’s, Tony began his career in real estate by starting Specia Realtors. Later he started Specia Insurance. For many years, he was a member of the City Zoning Commission and the City Board of Adjustment. Tony was a long-time member, and former president of the San Antonio Board of Realtors and he was the president that was instrumental in acquiring the land and moving the Board to its current location on IH 10. Tony expanded his business interests to include homebuilding in the late 70’s. He was one of the first homebuilders in the Stone Oak area. Tony loved investing in rental properties, mostly smaller homes. Tony was the co-founder of the Original Hemisfair Bunuelos (which began in 1968) with his business partner and best friend, David Carter. That business ceased operations in December 2015.
Tony is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen “Len” Daniel Specia, and three of his four children: Andrea Specia Eastland and husband Gill, Grant Specia and wife Brennan, and Ashley Specia and wife Monica. Daughter, Arden, predeceased him. In addition, he is survived by eight grandchildren: Forrest Eastland, Brooke Eastland, Bergen Specia, David Specia, Landon Specia, Camryn Specia, Cash Spencer, and Chase Spencer.
He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lou Ruffo, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tony had a love for lakes, the beach and any body of water; he loved boating and spending time with his family at Lake McQueeney. His love of the water also led to many weekends in Port Aransas and time on his sailboat, which he maintained on Canyon Lake.
SERVICE THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021 11:00 AM PORTER LORING CHAPEL 1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE. Interment to followed at Mission Burial Park South Cemetery.
© Porter Loring Mortuaries
November 18, 1932 - August 9, 2021
Anthony E. Specia, always known as Tony, was born on November 18, 1932, to John J. Specia and Annie Bolner. He was the youngest of three children. Tony attended St. Henry’s primary school and then graduated from Central Catholic High School in 1951. Tony loved basketball and played all through high school; where he played starting point guard and received scholarship offers to play in college.
He chose to attend Texas A&M University where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in Business Marketing. He was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the basketball team. Upon graduation, Tony was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a second lieutenant. He served at Fort Benning, Georgia for about one year. After the army, he then returned to San Antonio to join his father, uncle, and older brother in the family plumbing and electric business.
On June 22, 1957, Tony married his friend from childhood, Mary Ellen “Len” Daniel. They went on to have four children: Arden, Andrea, Grant, and Ashley. Tony had a zest for life and was a hard worker. He worked for IBM in the early days and enjoyed selling products to his customers in the San Antonio area. In the early 1960’s, Tony began his career in real estate by starting Specia Realtors. Later he started Specia Insurance. For many years, he was a member of the City Zoning Commission and the City Board of Adjustment. Tony was a long-time member, and former president of the San Antonio Board of Realtors and he was the president that was instrumental in acquiring the land and moving the Board to its current location on IH 10. Tony expanded his business interests to include homebuilding in the late 70’s. He was one of the first homebuilders in the Stone Oak area. Tony loved investing in rental properties, mostly smaller homes. Tony was the co-founder of the Original Hemisfair Bunuelos (which began in 1968) with his business partner and best friend, David Carter. That business ceased operations in December 2015.
Tony is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ellen “Len” Daniel Specia, and three of his four children: Andrea Specia Eastland and husband Gill, Grant Specia and wife Brennan, and Ashley Specia and wife Monica. Daughter, Arden, predeceased him. In addition, he is survived by eight grandchildren: Forrest Eastland, Brooke Eastland, Bergen Specia, David Specia, Landon Specia, Camryn Specia, Cash Spencer, and Chase Spencer.
He is also survived by his sister, Mary Lou Ruffo, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Tony had a love for lakes, the beach and any body of water; he loved boating and spending time with his family at Lake McQueeney. His love of the water also led to many weekends in Port Aransas and time on his sailboat, which he maintained on Canyon Lake.
SERVICE THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021 11:00 AM PORTER LORING CHAPEL 1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE. Interment to followed at Mission Burial Park South Cemetery.
© Porter Loring Mortuaries
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