It is with a painfully heavy heart that I share the passing of my father, Tony Chiricosta on March 26, 2026. He passed peacefully in our home after a brief, but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. My dad was nothing short of an awesome man to be around. Even through the worst opponent he’s had to face, he kept his spirits high and showcased his humour as he always has. I don’t think I’ll ever meet anyone with as much perseverance as my father had. He was the definition of an athlete both on and off the field. He was able to channel his work ethic & successes from tennis to create a business of his own than ran for over 40 years. He never understood what the meaning of quitting was, and everyone around him knew this. He was a multiple-time Ohio high school tennis state place winner, making it to the state finals one of his years. At the University of Illinois, he became the first Illinois tennis player ever to go 9-0 in the Big Ten, which he did his freshman year, and ultimately competed as the Illini's #1 tennis player as a senior. He was also the first ever athlete at the University of Illinois to make the “Big Ten Athlete of the Week” (among all sports at school). My brother Nick and I owe him for everything. Our father supported anything we wanted to do growing up, he only challenged us to become great at whatever was in front of us. I know he never imagined a world where I ever stepped on a wrestling mat, or where I found a career because of video games. I know he was so proud that I found success in both, which have always made me proud to be his son. I remember many wrestling matches that I'd call to tell him I pinned a nationally-ranked wrestler with a Spladle, and he thought it was the funniest thing he could have heard. I miss you a lot, Dad. I love you so much. Tony Chiricosta March 4, 1957 - March 26, 2026 Funeral arrangements are pending, but if you’d like information on the final arrangements, or where a donation could be made, please feel free to DM me.