Obituary of Anthony Rose

Anthony Michael "Tony" Died June 30, 2013 at the age of 23 in the Yarnell Hill Fire as one of the 19 fallen fighters of Granite Mountain Hotshot Team. Anthony was a former resident of Beach Park, IL before he moved out to Arizona to live with his uncle and family friend, Dan Hicks where he later became a dispatcher for his local fire department. Before Anthony moved to live in Arizona, he was known for being an active skate boarder; he loved to go fishing, and loved to ride dirt bikes and ATV's. In a few years living in Arizona, Anthony joined the Granite Mountain Hotshot team. Anthony's fiance is currently pregnant and is expecting a baby girl. His whole family was proud of what he had done. His father was known to refer to Anthony's team as "the Navy Seals of firefighting." Anthony has made his whole family proud knowing he was willing to sacrifice his life in order to protect the people even if he did not know them. He will always be remembered by his beautiful smile and bright blue eyes. Anthony is survived by his fiance, Tiffany Hettrick; parents, Michael Sperry and Athena Rose Sperry; brother, Alexander Sperry; and sister, Rhonda Sperry. A Memorial Visitation will be held Thursday, July 11, 2013 from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m. at CONGDON FUNERAL HOME, 3012 Sheridan Road, Zion, IL. Memorial donations are suggested to the Zion Bible Church, 2633 Emmaus Ave., Zion, IL 60099.