Dr. John Anthony "Tony" DeGiovanni was born to James "Red" and Aldina (Santi) DeGiovanni on Feb 7th of 1947 in Washington, IL. He was the youngest of 7 kids who lived a simple life in nearby Roanoke, IL. His mother was a nurse who kept a large garden and made homemade tortellini, while his Italian-immigrant father opened a Tavern in town after retiring from the coal mines. Little Tony was often found manually setting pins in the bowling alley or closely watching the men play cards. Tony met Marian Gess in 7th grade, and they later became high school sweethearts who fell in love and got married on a hot day in July of 1968. After graduating from Roanoke-Benson HS, he went to Bradley University and studied chemistry. Tony went on to medical school at the University of IL-Chicago and then completed his General Surgery residency at UW-Madison. He and Marian grew their family over these early years while he began his surgical practice at Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital in 1977. He loved his job and cared for his patients and coworkers like they were family. He had a big, generous heart and loved a good story and a good joke. He always had sound, honest advice and some of his funny quotes and one-liners have been passed down to the next generation, in and out of the OR!

Dr. DeGi spent many years teaching medical students the art of tying a good surgical knot, all-while modeling the importance of a caring and humble bedside manner. Tony and Marian took their service abroad and volunteered their time and talents with the Medical Mission of Wisconsin serving in Thiotte, Haiti. They took many trips over 15+ years and enjoyed serving those in need, while also enjoying the camaraderie of the healthcare team and the Haitian people. It wasn't unusual for him to be gifted a goat, a Cuban cigar, or a hug in exchange for his surgical service. He felt fortunate to be able to serve others in that capacity.

Tony retired from surgery in 2017 at the age of 70 after 40 years of operating at Sauk Prairie Healthcare. He then continued to work as a Hospice Director for SSM in Sauk County for another 3 years. He was diagnosed with dementia after retirement but continued on with great humor, wit, and character. He taught us much about life and love through this final chapter. With his history of serving in the Hospice movement, we were grateful he could be in the capable and caring hands of hospice to remain in the comfort of home as a patient himself. Special thanks to Dr. John McAuliffe, his longtime friend and physician, and Tikki, Julie, Allison, Daelen, Melanie, Sally, and Ryan of SSM at Home Hospice.

Over the years, Tony wore many other hats in addition to his surgical cap. He served for many years on the local school board and was a member of St John's Quilters and the parish planning council. In the 1980s he became passionate about the game of soccer and became Sauk Prairie HS's 1st JV coach and is one of the founders of the local club. He was often found (and heard) on the sidelines not only as a coach or referee, but also as a parent and grandparent, passionately cheering for his team. Over the years, his 'passion' and loud voice may have gotten him kicked out of a few soccer, hockey, and basketball games! We often blamed his occasional 'Tony the Tiger' temper on his Italian roots, but those who knew him well knew he was just a loveable, passionate guy whose loud voice carried far. Tony loved seeing a job well-done wherever he was, and in his more recent years when his health prevented him from rolling out the pasta or pizza dough himself, he became the supervisor, taste-tester, and quality control. Preparing a meal together always brought a big smile and ended with a full belly.

One of Tony's favorite things to do in retirement was to watch his grandkids play sports and perform on stage. He passed away peacefully on January 24th, 2026, after listening to his grandson and his show choir sing 'Make Me a Channel of Your Peace' on the livestream nearby. As an advocate for the underdog and the oppressed he always prayed and worked toward equality, humanity and peace. He showed us that it is the people and how we care for people that allows us to transcend our differences and our politics to make the world a better place.

This is a good reminder of how we should strive to live our days here on earth: Love each other and take good care of one another.

Make me a channel of your peace.

Where there is hatred let me bring your love.

Where there is injury, your pardon, Lord

And where there's doubt, true faith in you.

Make me a channel of your peace

Where there's despair in life, let me bring hope

Where there is darkness, only light

And where there's sadness, ever joy.

Oh, Master grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled as to console

To be understood as to understand

To be loved as to love with all my soul.

Make me a channel of your peace

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned

In giving to all men that we receive

And in dying that we're born to eternal life.

Tony is survived by his wife of 57.5 years, Marian, as well as by their 4 kids and 4 grandkids whom he loved with his whole heart: Dr Gina DeGiovanni and Mauro Piccinelli (Elio), Dae and Dominick DeGiovanni (Julia DeBaecke), Maria and Aaron Andres (Ava, Otis and Livie). Daughter-in-love Kara DeGiovanni. Brother Joe (Jane) DeGiovanni, brother-in-law Bob Cassidy, sister-in-law Mardee Gess, and many nieces and nephews, friends and colleagues.

We will celebrate his life on his 79th birthday, Saturday, February 7th. Visitation will be from 10am until the time of the funeral at 1pm, with a luncheon directly following the service at St John's Lutheran Church.

St. John's Lutheran Church is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87044610704?pwd=QM97IgGOsmhwdV83GqzlMppkHbeoM2.1

Meeting ID: 870 4461 0704

Passcode: 744145

In lieu of flowers, Memorials could be directed to The Good Neighbor Clinic of Sauk Prairie, 726 Water St # A, Sauk City, WI 53583 (https://goodneighborclinic.org), Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin, P.O. Box 6282 Monona, WI 53716 (haitimedicalmission.com) or St. John's Lutheran Church, 100 Oak St, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578.