December 20, 1939 – August 23, 2020
Antonius (Tony) Laenen was the only child of Stephanus Matheus Laenen and Hildegard Hoche born Dec. 20, 1939 in Den Haag, Netherlands. He was raised in Buffalo, NY and Fort Pierce, FL. He enlisted in the Navy and became a member of the VX-1, Experimental Squadron and was assigned to the Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron in Japan for two years. Tony’s college years were at the University of Florida in Gainesville where he earned a B.S in Civil Engineering. He chose a career with the U.S. Geological Survey in Portland, Oregon where he settled and lived until 2012. He wrote numerous hydrological science books and papers plus his true-life family story about escaping Nazi-occupied Europe.
Tony married Julija (Julie) Margaret Hansen (1968) and they had two children: Anna Marija (m. Barrett Crane) and Stephanus Aramis (Anna and Stephan). There are three grandchildren: Courtney, Julianna and Mason. Julie passed on in 1995.
Tony, always an artist, seriously began painting with watercolors in 2000 by painting his own yearly Christmas card. His talent became obvious to all who saw it. He also was an avid hiker/walker and spent many hours and miles on the trails. He enjoyed being actively involved with Art Presence, Jacksonville Boosters (board member), Jacksonville Woodcarvers and Jacksonville Presbyterian Church and the Mission Committee.
Tony became a Christian as a young man and was active in his faith. Early on he shared his talents by working with the children at his church and painting stage sets. Over the past 25 years he was extensively involved in various mission projects and committees.
Tony married Carol in 2004. They spent the past 15 years together enjoying travel; active church participation; and life and friends in Jacksonville, Oregon.