Anthony "Tony" Raymond Sleeper passed away on July 6, 2022, at Marliere Hospice Care Center in New Port Richey, Florida, at age 80 of natural causes.
Tony was born on June 18, 1942, in Laconia, N.H. As a young boy, Tony had a complicated life when his parents parted ways and his biological mother, Nancy Tilton Sleeper (Twombly), surrendered her parental rights to his father, Col. Raymond Starrett Sleeper. Charlotte Ruth Sleeper King, Tony's aunt, helped with the parenting duties while his father was overseas commanding a B17 Bomber Wing in WWII. After returning from overseas, his father married Christine Frances Fernald on Nov. 2, 1946, and Tony joined them in Arlington, Mass., as his father attended Harvard.
Tony was blessed to have a large and loving family, the oldest of five boys and one girl. As a teenager, Tony lived in Hawaii, where he found his passion for running and competing in marathons. He set a Hawaii state record in the 800-yard dash and competed in several other track and field events. Tony also developed a love for hot rod cars and could always be found working on his vehicles while his younger brothers watched or got in the way.
After graduating with a certificate in automotive mechanics in the early 1960s, Tony moved to Maryland, where he married his first wife, Aletta Jo Taylor on July 2, 1964. They had four beautiful children and resided in the Washington, D.C., area. The relationship with his wife and kids became difficult in the early 1970s. The couple divorced and Tony went on to marry his second wife, Frankie Preston, and they moved to Hudson, Florida. After his second wife died, Tony married his third wife, Jeanne Lamb Leipold, on March 9, 2002.
Those who knew Tony saw a kind, gentle, soft-spoken, and willing friend who was always ready to lend a helping hand. His siblings often referred to him as their "great protector".
Tony was also a business owner and ran the Eastlake Dry Cleaners in Palm Harbor, Florida, until his retirement. He enjoyed working around the house, had many hobbies, and was a natural for working with his hands. He liked working in the yard, raising cows and chickens, and was a devoted dog lover. Tony had many adoring dogs over the years - he was truly a dog whisperer. Tony also had a knack for cooking and served up delicious meals, especially on the holidays. The grandkids enjoyed learning all about the "farm work" he performed on his rural property and how to care for the many animals he raised. Maintaining and talking about cars was another one of his lifelong, great passions. Not surprisingly, Tony collected miniature models of cars and trucks and gave them as gifts. Having played Little League baseball as a kid, Tony also sponsored several little league teams for many years. He preferred a quiet, simple life and spent his remaining years on his spacious property in Hudson, Florida.
Tony is survived by his wife, Jeanne Lamb Sleeper of Hudson, Florida; his first wife, Aletta Jo Taylor of Newport, Washington; his sibling,: Jonathan A. Sleeper and his wife Melissa Cable of Vero Beach, Florida; Jane E. Sleeper of East Fallowfield, Pennsylvania; Raymond S. Sleeper Jr. of Nottingham, N.H.; and Harry A. Sleeper of Alton Bay, N.H.; his children, Tina Marie Sleeper Raum and her partner Jeff Green of Mechanicsville, Maryland; Kimberly Rinea Sleeper DeStacy Verbanic and her husband Michael Verbanic of Charlotte, North Carolina; Melissa Diane Sleeper Weatherly and her husband Richard Allen Weatherly of Newport, Washington; his eight grandchildren, Brandon Terry Raum of Cheney, Washington; Jacob Austin Green of Mechanicsville, Maryland; Alexcis (Lexi) Danielle Green of Mechanicsville, Maryland; Cassandra Renee DeStacy of Orlando, Florida; Jesse Andrew DeStacy of Alexandria, Virginia; Ashley Nichole Sleeper Cramer and her husband Gerald Robert Cramer of Mound, Minnesota; Brittany Jo Sleeper of Hanford, California; and Michael Kevin Hofmann and his wife Veronica Baez of Newport, Waashington; and his three great-grandchildren: Jackson Alexander Cramer; Kinsley Brielle Cramer; and Danielle Lea Cramer. Tony is predeceased by his second wife, Frankie Preston Sleeper; his son, Michael Anthony Sleeper; his brother, Grant Rollins Sleeper; his biological mother, Nancy Tilton Twombly; his mother, Christine Fernald Sleeper; and his father, Raymond Starrett Sleeper.
A memorial will be held at the Bayside Cemetery located 1345 Union Ave. in Laconia, NH, at 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 2, 2023.
To honor Tony's wishes, in lieu of flowers, please donate generously to your local SPCA animal shelter.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.