Antone Joseph Mack, 93, passed away in his home in Mississippi of natural causes on November 3, 2023.

Antone, known as "Tony," came to Mississippi in November of 2018 after his home burned in

the Butte County, California Camp Fire. Our prayers were truly answered on the day of his

rescue from his home. He recounted, "The bushes were on fire, the fence was on fire, the trees

were on fire, and the house was on fire."

Antone was born in 1930, in Marengo, Illinois to his parents, Joseph and Hattie Mack. His

parents immigrated to the United States at a young age from Vilno, Poland, now Lithuania.

Antone was a Marengo High School graduate and was a member of the United States Army. He

served in the Korean War from 1950 to 1952, and saw active duty in Korea. He worked as a

lead man at Arnold Engineering in Marengo. Tony was also an original member of the Marengo

Rescue Squad.

He married his wife of 61 years, Helen, in Harvard, Illinois in 1954. They had four children. He

moved his family to Ventura, California in 1966.

In Ventura, Tony purchased an abalone boat, which he named the "El Lobo." He worked as an

abalone diver, until he lost his boat in the Ventura Marina flood of 1969. His other employment

included Infared Industries in Carpinteria, Vetco Offshore Drilling in Ventura, as a timekeeper,

and Metal Bellows Production Control where he proofed blueprints prior to items going into

production.

In his younger days, Tony was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also worked a gold claim on

the river with his brother Frank near Downieville, California, in an area he referred to as "God's

Country." After retiring in 1992, he moved to Magalia, California. He enjoyed trout fishing In

Paradise Lake, feeding the birds and squirrels, reading, spending time with family, and watching

his favorite programs on TV. Prior to his stroke, he often shared stories about his many

adventures.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Mack, of Magalia, California, his son, Daniel Mack,

of Ventura, California, his brother, Frank Mack, of Portola, California, and his half-brother, Karl

Schurpf, of Marengo, Illinois.

He is survived by one brother, Victor (Irma) Mack of Fort Mohave, Arizona, three daughters,

Pamela (Danny) Bales of Terry, Mississippi, Cindy Mack of Pearl, Mississippi, and Sandra

(Craig) Gallagher of Nampa, Idaho, four grandchildren, Josephine Ashpaugh, Kevin Gallagher,

Rebecca. Bales and Ryan Gallagher, and two great grandchildren.

Our family would like to extend our gratitude to his many nurses, aides, and caregivers who

helped with his care during the last year of his life. He will be interred in Chico, California next to his loving wife, Helen.