Anthony "Tony" Crea

On Thursday, September 18, 2025, Anthony “Tony” Crea, Jr. of Plymouth, MN entered Heaven surrounded by loved ones. He leaves behind an earthly legacy of love, strength, justice, and kindness. Above all, Tony’s greatest joy was his family—his devoted wife, Mary Rian Crea; his children, Jim Crea of Plymouth, MN, Matt (Melissa) Crea of Maple Grove, MN, and Michelle (Brian) Tapley of Mt. Juliet, TN; and his cherished grandchildren Mikaela, Ellie, Kenzie, and Collin.

Tony’s brief but courageous battle with gastric cancer was marked by the same kindness and humor he carried throughout his life. In his 32 days at Methodist Hospital, he expressed heartfelt gratitude every day to those who cared for him.

Tony was born and raised in St. Paul, MN, to Anthony Crea, Sr. and Shirley Geisnheyner Crea. Growing up in a large extended Italian family gave him a lifelong love of family. To his mother, Shirley, he was always her “Cowboy.” He is survived by his sisters, Kathleen Crea of St. Paul, and his baby sister and lifelong friend Noella (Mark) Buchmayer of Maplewood.

Tony graduated from Hill High School in Maplewood, where he played on the football team, and went on to attend Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN. There, he cleverly joined the Biology Club to meet the love of his life, Mary. At St. John’s, he also discovered a love for the outdoors and for Johnnie football—passions he carried throughout his life. He demonstrated his loyalty to St. John’s football as a season ticket holder, attending games annually with his family and college roommates. He later earned his MBA at the University of Saint Thomas, while remaining a proud Johnnie.

Tony and Mary were married in Rochester, MN, in 1974. From that day on, Tony didn’t just gain a wife—he also embraced Mary’s four sisters and two brothers as his own, loving them as true siblings. Over the years, his circle of brothers and sisters grew, and he cherished each one as family. This July, Tony and Mary joyfully celebrated 51 years of marriage

Tony found joy in many things. He loved training and competing in field and agility events with his beloved golden retrievers, Zach and Josh. As an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Community, he led mission trips and Boundary Waters adventures, sharing both faith and fellowship. He poured his heart into supporting his children’s activities—often stepping in to coach their teams, and just as often cheering loudly from the bleachers for them and, later, his grandchildren. A man of deep integrity, Tony believed in doing things the right way and was always quick to stand up for the underdog.

Tony also found fulfillment in his professional life, spending 29 years with First Bank/US Bank in commercial banking and another 20 years with Frandsen Bank & Trust in various roles.

Tony loved to travel. Just last summer, he and Mary gathered their family for a trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. There, Tony shared with his grandchildren the beauty of the national parks and his favorite creature—the wolf. Yet his happiest place was always Clear Lake, where he loved teaching his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews the joys of fishing, swimming, boating, star gazing, watching sunsets, and deer spotting. He especially enjoyed quiet evenings by the bonfire—sometimes with a good Macallan, chocolate chip cookies, and cherished friends. Tony also treasured the joy of the time spent with his in-laws, Jim and Betty Rian, and the countless hours he helped with myriad projects

Tony was welcomed into Heaven by his parents, Anthony and Shirley Crea; his father- and mother-in-law, Vincent James (Jim) and Betty Dunsmore Rian; his niece, Heather Salisbury Frisone; his nephew, Marc Nicholas (Nick) Salisbury; his golden retrievers, Zach and Josh; his grand-dog, Whiskey Crea and many more ancestors whose graves he visited and held in his heart.

He leaves behind not only his immediate family but also a wide circle of relatives and friends who loved him dearly, including Cherie (Ed) Daum, Jolene (Dan) Kennedy, Nancy Rian (Tim) Kelley, Patti Rian (Bill Vitali), Tom (Mary Jo) Rian, Steve Rian, Two-Ton, Jason (Liz) Michelizzi, Jared Michelizzi, Jessica Kennedy, Rob (Kimmy) Kelley, Nicollet Buchmayer, Courtney (Stephen) Gross, Charlie Buchmayer, Marco (Nikki) Buchmayer, Chelsea (Mason) Schullo, Kaitlin (Zach) Christian, Katie (Michael) Nunemacher, and eight great-nieces and great-nephews.

Tony’s family will forever carry his example of love, faith, and joy in their hearts, and they will continue to celebrate the countless good times shared with him.

Visitation will from 4 to 7 pm Friday, September 26 at Gearty-Delmore Plymouth Chapel, 15800 37th Ave N (@ Vicksburg Lane), with a Rosary being said at 7 PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Saturday, September 27 at St. Joseph's Catholic Community, 8701 36th Ave N., New Hope, with visitation one hour prior to Mass.

Here is a link for memorial donation if so chosen:

https://us-west-2.protection.sophos.com/?d=stjude.org&u=aHR0cHM6Ly9mdW5kcmFpc2luZy5zdGp1ZGUub3JnL3NpdGUvVFI_cHg9ODk2OTI5OSZmcl9pZD0xNTQwMjAmcGc9cGVyc29uYWw=&i=NWM4NjcwYjdiNTVkMDgxNzcwODQzMWQ4&t=OFNEUDREYW4rU3BjMVkzK3k0R1JrZkp2dEJCOHNrSkRIR1kyaVcxdjFVVT0=&h=ab6b55c5bef44c8ca3e3d223ab0ffbcf&s=AVNPUEhUT0NFTkNSWVBUSVZWXPkxx_YNd0heV1pPwkAUEDYf0NmEjc6BAgvr3s1Tug