08/06/2020
With Tony Tumminello's passing, the Lansing community lost a beloved member, and the Lansing Fire Department lost a lifelong friend. Tony was an ever-happy presence at Fire Station One for over 65 years and will be sorely missed by the firefighters and those who had the pleasure of knowing him; he was the definition of our kind of people.
Tony first showed up at Fire Station One when he was 14 years old. First drawn to the fire trucks, that one visit was all it took to get him hooked. It's safe to say that Tony spent most of his life at the fire department than anywhere else—even his house or job.
After his shift at Jon Anthony Florist, Tony always biked over to the station to enjoy dinner with his firefighting pals. In fact, he hardly ever missed a day. Among a seat at the station's dinner table, Tony had his own locker, a custom Lansing Fire Department cane, and plenty of jokes to keep the crew members on their toes. Over the course of his life, Tony has known three generations of firefighters and forged powerful bonds with them, so much so that they overwhelmingly describe him as "family."
At the fire station, Tony found a place where he was always welcome and people that always had his back. In Tony, the fire department found an unwavering friendship with a funny, kind, and delightful person. His passing leaves those who knew him with sadness, but his life and memories provide so much more. Tony's remarkable relationship with the firefighters demonstrates the uplifting power of community and the life-enriching beauty of friendship. He is the ultimate example of our kind of person.
We offer our condolences to Tony's friends, family, and the Lansing Fire Department.
Photo: Lansing State Journal