Joseph Anthony "Tony" Chatfield

Joseph Anthony “Tony” Chatfield, a longtime resident of Sarasota, FL, and a native of Dayton, OH, passed away on May 25, 2024, after a brief illness. Tony was born in Dayton on July 29, 1958, and grew up in Beavercreek, OH. He graduated from Beavercreek High School in 1976. He received a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s in landscape architecture from The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, and a master’s degree in English/creative writing from Southern New Hampshire University. Tony had a successful career as a landscape architect. He also taught adult education classes in landscape design. In later years, Tony worked for Children’s Medical Services, a division of the Florida Department of Health. Tony retired in 2016. In 2018, his love of education sparked his return to work, and he was employed by the School Board of Sarasota County, where he worked with special needs children at Oak Park School. With his calm personality, patience, quick humor, insight, and easy-going manner, he had an exceptional way of connecting with the students. He found great fulfillment in his role at this school. Tony enjoyed being outdoors. He rode his bike regularly, jogged, went on long walks, and loved to sit outside in the evenings and listen to music on his headphones. He was interested in meteorology, astronomy, botany, and nature. He also enjoyed writing, reading, cooking vegetarian meals, anything computer or technology-related, old movies, Christmas lights, and watching college football—especially his beloved Ohio State Buckeyes. His idea of the perfect day was one spent at home with his wife, Gratia, and his daughter, Aubrey, and which ended with a quiet evening on the lanai looking at the moon and stars, listening to the birds, and watching the wildlife behind his house. He was always present for the people he loved. Above all things, Tony’s greatest joy in life was his daughter, Aubrey. Tony was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Clark Chatfield; his grandmother, Elon Bingham; his grandparents Howell Booth “Hal” Chatfield and Edna Rhea (Brewer) Chatfield; and his sister, Debra Ann Urzi. He is survived by his wife, Gratia Inge Chatfield; his daughter, Aubrey Elon Chatfield; his mother, Rhonda Carol Chatfield; his aunt, Alice Rawls (Bob); his uncle, Carl Chatfield (Jan); and many cousins. There will be a remembrance gathering on June 8, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, 40 North Orange Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236. As Tony would say, in the words of Jimmy Buffett, “It’s been a lovely cruise.”

Tributes

Joseph Anthony "Tony" Chatfield

July 29, 1958 - May 25, 2024