Tony was born July 14, 1941 in Arcata and passed away September 12, 2023 in Mckinleyville after a courageous, hard-fought battle with cancer.

Tony grew up in Samoa, playing around Humboldt Bay’s sandy dunes and beaches. He attended schools in Arcata and Eureka, then he served in the U.S. Army, 101st Airborne from 1959 to 1961.

He worked for Georgia-Pacific, U.S. Plywood and Simpson Plywood/Fairhaven until the mills were shut down. He had his own groundskeeping business for five years and then worked as the groundskeeper at Mckinleyville High School for 21 years until retiring.

Tony was an accomplished gardener growing a yearly crop of fresh fruit and vegetable, as well as raising goats and chickens. He was handy with a hammer too; building and maintaining chicken houses, goat barns, sheds, decks and fences.

He was a dedicated waterfowl hunter for over 65 years, hunting with friends and his son, Neal. Some of his favorite places included Tule lake, lower Klamath, Alturas as well as our local Humboldt Bay and the Arcata Bottoms. Additionally, Tony enjoyed clamming, fishing, watching hockey games and stock car races.

Tony was preceded in death by his son Neal Branco, and his parents, Tony Branco Sr. and Lena Leonardo Branco, as well as many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara; his daughter Janis Branco and Todd Jackson; his brothers Daniel Branco and David Branco; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Kurt and Jo Gantenbein; his nieces, Amy Verley and Kristi Sams; his four-legged hunting buddy “Teal,” and many friends.

He was a friendly, giving, hardworking and outspoken man.

A Good man, lived a good life and will be greatly missed.

No formal services will be held.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Tony Branco’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.