Anthony (Tony) Raymond Moriarty

Anthony Raymond (Tony) Moriarty, 74, of Huntsville, AL, dear husband of Allenda Moriarty, passed away on December 27 in Huntsville Hospital. He lived his life to the fullest until the day he died, celebrating his last Christmas at home, delighting in his family and all six grandchildren.

Tony was born in Vancouver, WA to Michael Patrick Moriarty and Eleanor Macikas Moriarty on February 21, 1945. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago in Visitation Parish.

As a child, he worked delivering newspapers in Chicago to pay for his tuition for elementary school at Visitation and for Leo Catholic High School. He also served as an Andy Frain usher in order to see his beloved Chicago White Sox. After graduating high school in 1962, he worked on the docks loading trucks to pay for his college education.

He went on to earn a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD from University of Illinois.

He began his career as a Math teacher and football coach, later becoming a high school guidance counselor and assistant principal. He served for many years as a school administrator in Rich Township High School District 227, where he helped develop a student mediator program. He finished his career as principal of Homewood-Flossmoor High School.

In addition to his education career, he simultaneously maintained a private practice as a licensed clinical psychologist. He specialized in helping individuals and families, as well as doing psychological testing and evaluations for police officers and providing counseling for police who had traumatic experiences in the line of duty.

In his spare time, he wrote many journal articles and several books, the most recent being a co-authored book entitled “Lessons from a Grief Diary: Rebuilding Your Life after the Death of a Loved One.”

He loved sports, especially football. He played defensive end and center on the football team at University of Illinois at Navy Pier, and was a discus thrower on the track team. He loved to play 16-inch softball and later tennis, racquetball, golf, jogging, and chess with the grandkids.

His retirement adventures included nine years of living in Mexico, where he delighted in the food, friendships, music, and fabulous backyard sunsets watched from the hot-springs-fed jacuzzi.

After moving to Huntsville, he indulged Allenda in helping create a spectacular backyard retreat. It is the site of so many joyful times; Easter eggs hunts amongst the boulders, visits to the fairy house, celebratory fireworks, swimming with the grandkids, and reading under the trees while enjoying birds, flowers, and windchimes. His family honored his life with a candlelight memorial in “the fort”. The site will be forever sacred to all who loved him.

Tony is survived by his wife of 51 years, Allenda Gail (Smith) Moriarty, of Huntsville, Alabama. He is also survived by his daughter, Erin Moriarty Wade of Boca Raton, FL, and her husband, David Wade, and their children Charleston, Ansley and Hudson Anthony; his daughter, Meghan Moriarty Nester of Huntsville, AL, and her husband Tyler Nester, and their children James, Owen and Maia. He is also survived by brother Gene (Fran) Moriarty; sisters Eleanor (Vince) Champagne, Karen Moriarty and Christine (Mark) Field; and many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers Michael (Louise) Moriarty and Donald (Gloria) Moriarty; and sister Katy.

A celebration of his life will be held in Chicago. Because of the coronavirus, it is being postponed. The details will be updated as soon as possible.

Memorial donations may be made in his name to the Leo High School Scholarship Fund (773-224-9600 ext. 209) or the Cap & Gown Project (www.capandgownproject.org), both of which serve to enhance the educational opportunities of the next generation.

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