Anthony Peter D'Anza of St. Charles, age 80. Beloved son of the late Anthony "Buff" and Caroline; loving brother of Sam (Leatha), Michael (Jeanne), James (Ellen) and the late Carol (Steve) Kloppmann; proud uncle of John, Jeanne, Mary, Mark, Jeffrey, Christina, Kimberly, James and Joel; great-uncle of 8. Tony was an avid baseball fan all of his life, playing, coaching, and being a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. Tony was the winner of the Pitch & Hit Club's Charlie Hum Club Service Award, having coached baseball for a half-century.  He coached at the college level of Saint Xavier University, Illinois State University, Indiana State University and Moraine Valley CC. Tony coached high school ball at H. L. Richards, Shepard, Eisenhower and Stagg. Other stops have included Team Illinois, Baseball School USA, Mickey Owens Baseball Schools, Bellwood American Legion Baseball, Leyden Baseball Organization, and Memorial Park District Baseball.  He also taught the game in Australia and Holland.   Tony was twice honored by the Illinois High School Baseball Coaches Association (Hall of Fame induction in 2002 and President's Award, 1999).  He was a member of the IHSBCA and ABCA for 39 years and the Pitch & Hit Cub for seven years.  Tony played baseball for three years and football for two years at Illinois State University.  In addition to baseball, Tony also coached many other sports. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Illinois State (1967) and Master's Degrees from Illinois State (1976) and Indiana State (1979).  Tony loved to travel and visited many states and countries, following his favorite teams and scouting for new players who might make a difference. He also loved to go to Las Vegas claiming 71 trips to Las Vegas alone, and also traveled and enjoyed the sights along Route 66 several times.  Tony never married, but met the love of his life, MaryAnn, in his 70's…(guess it's never too late to find love).  We know he missed her dearly. Family and friends will be received at the Conboy-Westchester Funeral Home, 10501 W. Cermak Rd., Westchester on Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral Friday 9:15 a.m. from the funeral home to St. Eulalia Church for 10:00 a.m. Mass. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery. For funeral info 708-F-U-N-E-R-A-L