It is with grieving hearts we announce the death of Anton (Tony) Israel Cenaiko, 33, on February 20th in Calgary, Alberta. A beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend.

Israel was born in Nelson, New Zealand on July 4th, 1990. In 1991 his family returned to Canada and he lived in Red Deer, Three Hills, and then in Olds. He attended elementary school in Three Hills and junior high and high school in Olds. He graduated high school in 2009. He graduated from the EMT Program at SAIT in 2016.

In 2018, Israel (now going by Tony) moved to New Zealand where he completed a Computer Science degree at the University of Otago, graduating December 2023.

As the third of six children, Israel has a childhood filled with small-town adventures, swimming pools, tree-climbing, comic books, slingshots, cap-guns, and snowboarding. He cared deeply for his younger siblings and got into endless shenanigans with his older sisters.

As an adult, Israel made many close and lasting friendships with coworkers, fellow travellers, and students in his programs.

Israel will be remembered for having an equally wry and goofy sense of humour. His stoic, straight face tempted everyone to try and make him laugh, which was easier the sillier you were. He was the best person to have a truly deep conversation with. His constant questioning of the universe, interest in science fiction and fantasy, and fascination with solving problems meant he was going to have something profound to say but also a curiosity in everyone’s ideas. He always had a book or show to recommend and a latest idea to discuss.

Israel is survived by his parents Ray and Lee, his siblings Sasha, Jonnee, Nasya, Zoey-Dennae, Isaac, and Trinity, his nieces Keelin, Elwyn, Aubryn, and Maria, and nephews Severin and Solvi. He is missed by his grandmothers, uncles, aunts, cousins, and other family members.

If desired, donations in memory of Israel can be kindly made to the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention at suicideprevention.ca.

Live streaming will be available at https://www.heartlandfuneralservices.com/

• Date : 2024-02-29
• Location : Locally Family Owned (Red Deer/Blackfalds/Eckville) www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & (Innisfail/Olds/Didsbury/Sundre) www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com