Antonio "Tony" J. Almeida

Antonio J. (Tony) Almeida -- a proud son of a Portuguese immigrant who fought with General George S. Patton in World War II -- was a passionate historian who lived a good life with multiple loves: of his family, Everyman’s Bible Class, Vanderbilt University and Sigma Nu, the state of North Carolina, Duke Energy, and the Carolina Panthers. Tony died March 24 at Wake Forest Baptist hospital from a peritoneal bleed. He was 69. Tony was born in Atlanta in 1956 to Betty Beckham, a retail saleswoman, and Antonio Almeida, who worked as a switchman for Southern Railway. Tony grew up in the Springlake neighborhood and graduated from Northside High School with honors. During high school, he became the regional operations manager for Baskin Robbins and was named Junior ROTC Brigade Commander, the highest-ranking cadet in Atlanta’s public schools. Tony studied history and economics at Vanderbilt University, focusing on the Cold War, and he formed his own band of brothers in the Sigma Nu fraternity. After a short stint selling for Procter & Gamble, Tony joined Duke Power as a retail marketing assistant. He spent the next 32 years with Duke as an area manager, serving in Clemson, Shelby, Charlotte, High Point, and eventually Salisbury, working his way to become vice president of Economic Development. After retirement in 2011, he served as economic advisor to the Governor. Tony was a weaver of friendships and connections, and he was deeply committed to the communities in which he lived and served. He was an elder at First Presbyterian Church and a trustee of Hood Theological Seminary. He joined a sister church, Second Presbyterian, for 12 years when his wife served as pastor. He chaired the Charlotte Regional Partnership and served on the North Carolina Community College System Foundation Board. He was active in the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and United Way. He was a member of the North Carolina Economic Development Association, the South Carolina Economic Developers’ Association, and the N.C. Chamber Manufacturing Council. He was also a lifelong learner and purveyor of knowledge, taking courses at Hood and Catawba College. Tony began as a teacher in Everyman’s Bible Class and moved to community builder. During the pandemic, he introduced the class to Zoom and the rest of the church soon followed. In 2017, he received the coveted Shucker of the Year award at the Annual Everyman’s Oyster Roast. Pops, as his grandchildren called him, found a way to bring joy to those around him. On summer vacations in Black Mountain, N.C., he created a tradition of buying his nieces and nephews one of whatever their hearts desired from a local drugstore. On holidays, he mixed a mean Bloody Mary for his extended family. And he always enjoyed watching The Wizard of Oz one more time. Tony is survived by (and enjoyed the lifelong support of) Uncle Gordon, Aunt Joan, and Aunt Connie; his wife, Margaret; three sons, Joseph (Kathleen), Walter (Courtney), and Randy; seven grandchildren (Will, Julia, Bia, Lauren, A.J. Lana and Taylor); and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. His brother, Mike, died in 2024. Tony was the glue that held us all together. A celebration of his life will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury at 11 a.m. on April 5. Visitation and reception following service. Donations in Tony’s name may be made to: J. Randolph Taylor Fellows Program, Development Office. Montreat Conference Center, PO Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757; Everyman’s Benevolent Fund, First Presbyterian Church, 308 West Fisher Street, Salisbury, N.C. 28144; or Hood Theological Seminary, 1810 Lutheran Synod Drive, Salisbury, N.C. 28144. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Almeida family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Antonio "Tony" J. Almeida

March 24, 2025