Antonio Rillo

Dr. Antonio "Tony" R. Rillo, age 84, of Willmar, a loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away Thursday morning, June 20, at the Granite Falls Municipal Hospital.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, June 24, at the Church of St. Mary in Willmar. Interment will be at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Sunday, June 23, at Peterson Brothers Funeral Home and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Monday.

Tony was born January 27, 1929 in Maragondon, Cavite, Philippines. He received his Medical Degree from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines and came to the United States in 1957 for his residency training in OB/GYN at the University of Minnesota. He worked as a physician for almost 50 years until his retirement at the age of 74, the majority of it in Wahpeton, North Dakota. He was known for his friendliness, welcoming, "easy going" personality, his sense of humor, infectious smile and love of his family. Tony was an avid golfer and enjoyed tennis, dancing, music and going on family trips. His love of medicine started with his father (Severino) who was the first in the family to earn a medical degree.

Tony is survived by his best friend and love of his life, Belen; his three children, Arnel Rillo (and Lisa) of Minneapolis, Dr. Amy Ellingson (and Jim) of Willmar, and Dr. Arthur Rillo (and Billie) of Granite Falls; ten grandchildren, Lana, Victoria, Antonio, Alexandra, Emily, Erica, Isaac, Chandler, Benjamin and Nicole and two great grandchildren, Garrett and Jacqueline. Also surviving are two sisters, Charito Luistro of Fargo and Virginia Rillo of New York City and one sister-in-law, Chona Rillo of Fargo.

He was preceded in death by his father, Severino, mother, Florentina and brother, Severino Jr. "Ben".

In honor of the family's "pay it forward" belief of education, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred for an educational scholarship fund in his name.