Anthony "Tony" R. Sherfinski

Anthony “Tony” R. Sherfinski, 87, passed away Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at his home.

He was born February 14, 1938, in Wausau, son of the late Alexander and Elizabeth (Chuika) Sherfinski. On September 2, 1961, he married Dorothy Wanta at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Weston. They recently celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary with family.

Tony served in the United States Navy before beginning his career as a teacher at Newman Catholic High School. During his summers off from teaching, he started helping pave driveways, a side job that eventually became his full-time passion. From that hard work, Blackline Asphalt was born. Tony took great pride in his company, often seen driving around in his truck, pointing out jobs with a smile: "Doesn’t that look nice? Oh, we did that one!"

Over the years, Tony had many hobbies that reflected his love for the outdoors and working with his hands. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, raising chickens, ducks, rabbits and woodworking, but one of his greatest joys was gardening. He built several greenhouses, evolving from only planting vegetables to delighting in selecting just the right color of wave petunias. He was an avid NASCAR fan with a goal of visiting every track, a goal he nearly achieved.

He was a character, a prankster at heart, and never missed a chance to get a laugh. His grandsons probably remember the Christmases when they received potatoes as gifts, just one example of his mischievous sense of humor.

Tony was known for always having a joke (or five) ready to go and a quick-witted comment for just about anyone he met.

He will be deeply missed but remembered with smiles, laughter, and many “Tony-isms” passed on by those lucky enough to have known him.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy; children, Debbie Hooke, Mark (Lilli Benzinger), Dan (Linda), Doug and Cindy Sherfinski (Tyler Babl); grandchildren, Erika (Seungbo) Choi, Nick (Bethany) Hooke, Blake Sherfinski, Erik Sherfinski (Shay Boesl), Jonathon Teskoski, and Travis Sherfinski (Alison Schroedel); great-grandchildren, Natasha, Ryan and Xander; sister, Jeanne Karpinski; sisters-in-law, Mary Verity and Violet Wanta; brothers-in-law, Andrew (Carol) Wanta and Steven Wanta; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Lynn, and a daughter-in-law, Lisa Sherfinski.

The funeral Mass will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 16, 2025, at St. Anne Catholic Church, Wausau. Rev. Allan Slowiak will preside. Entombment will be in Memorial Chapel Mausoleum, Restlawn Memorial Park, Wausau. Visitation will be Thursday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service all at St. Anne Catholic Church, Wausau.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.petersonkraemer.com