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* Tony was probably best known these days for owning the Pasfield House, but he has a long local history…
Tony Leone, who served as clerk of the Illinois House of Representatives and ran the Pasfield House bed-and-breakfast near the Illinois Capitol Building, died Wednesday in Springfield.
He was 69. His cause of death was not clear.
Leone served as assistant clerk and clerk of the House from 1979 to 1992.
Leone was a longtime executive director of the Sangamon County Republican Foundation. He was also assistant treasurer of the state GOP.
My condolences to his many friends and to his family. I was able to confirm yesterday that arrangements are being handled by Boardman-Smith Funeral Home.
*** UPDATE *** Rosemarie Long also passed away, and the ILGOP has sent out a press release…
“When I think about someone who exemplifies the perfect union of a kind heart, genuine character, and commitment to a cause - I think of Rosemarie Long. Few people have made a greater impact on their community than she has. Sangamon County, Central Illinois, and the statewide Republican Party have lost a giant today. But more importantly, her family, countless friends, and loved ones have lost a beautiful soul. We hold them up in our thoughts and prayers at this time.” - Tim Schneider
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 9:43 am
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Tough day, on a personal level, for Sangamon County politics
Comment by fs Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 9:46 am
RIP Tony.
Comment by Norseman Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 9:49 am
I sat on the Springfield Historic Sites Commission for many years — Tony and his love of Illinois and Springfield history and historic preservation will be missed. He always had a smile on his face - for everyone. Prayers offered.
Comment by Jeanette Malafa Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 9:53 am
I remember Mr. Leone from my days serving as a Page. A very nice gentleman. Condolences to his family and friends.
Comment by Stones Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 9:57 am
Tony was a long time friend. I last saw him this past fall and as usual we shared a bunch of stories from the Speaker Ryan days. God bless you Tony.
Comment by Suburbanon Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 9:59 am
Tony was always good for a story about Illinois politics and history. He could talk for hours about his neighborhood and Springfield in general Always had a kind word for you.
For those who enjoy Springfield’s Horseshoe, pick the book Tony co authored about the Hoseshoe’s history. It is a great look back at Springfield’s dining history.
Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 10:45 am
I believe he also served on the Property Tax Appeal Board. A true workaholic and one of the smartest individuals I ever had the privilege to know. RIP
Comment by Tabbybum Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 10:52 am
Tony was a good man.
A person you got to know just by being around Springfield. His love for the town, for the Capitol grounds and Illinois politics are lasting memories.
Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 11:04 am
Tony was the kindest person I knew in the Statehouse, back in a time when many Democrats and Republicans actually got along and respected each other. And got a lot of legislation passed.
Comment by BeaverBrooke Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 11:19 am
Tony was also involved in other local historic preservation issues. He will be missed there also
Comment by RNUG Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 11:38 am
Tony’s love of Springfield, past, present and future, was boundless. He preserved the past with the Pasfield House and more, but he also worked hard to better our city. He was a strong supporter of me as his Alderman. I liked a lot of ideas, and got a good number enacted into law, including expanding the Downtown TIF District to include Pasfield House, although I don’t think he ever got any TIF $$. Way too young…very sad.
Comment by truthtopower Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 11:46 am
Tony was a unique guy. Knowledgeable, passionate, bullheaded and sometimes a little sneaky. Our paths crossed on a regular basis and our disagreements were mostly neighborhood centric. My family offers prayers for strength and comfort to his family. Illinois is truly a better place because of this guy.
Comment by Steve Brown Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 12:21 pm
Steve Brown says it well. Tony was among the most decent and loyal friends I’ve had. We attended Campaign Management College together in the 70s. He kept the class in stitches with his stories of how he kept his campaign expenses under $1,000 by using his mom and her friends to cook food for fundraisers. Everything became profit…
Going to miss him.
Comment by From the far, far western suburbs Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 1:46 pm
I hate to hear this. I met Tony in the clerk’s office one summer when I started as a House page after my first year in college. We paused in our conversation when the live feed from the floor included a question to state Rep. David Phelps as to what a pork district was. Phelps was pushing his bill to establish a port district at Cairo, but with his slight Southern Illinois accent it sure sounded like a pork district even to me. Tony and I shared a chuckle. Tony was always quick to help and offer the sometimes much needed explanation of how things worked in Springfield.
Comment by Jon Musgrave Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 2:23 pm
Tony was a long time good friend and class act. He so loved Springfield and its history. He will be missed.
Comment by Big Red Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 3:31 pm
Tony was a very kind man, I was saddened to see that he had passed away. Prayers to his family and dear friends.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 4, 21 @ 3:33 pm