Visitation and funeral services were held at Knapp Funeral Home at 219 S 4th St. Watseka, IL. on August 6th and 7th, 2013. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Watseka Community High School, c/o Athletic Department, 138 South Belmont, Watseka, IL 60970.
Anthony A. (“Tony”) Allegretti, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his children and grandchildren on Wednesday, July 31, 2013, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born on January 26, 1945 in Geneva, IL.
Anthony, known to colleagues and friends as Tony, started his newspaper career at 7 years old as a carrier at his parents’ paper in Watseka, IL. The journey since then has been accomplished and illustrious.
A futuristic thinker and terrific newspaperman, Tony proved to be a dedicated leader during his five years as an officer of the California Newspaper Publisher Association, culminating as President of the Association from 2008-2010.
An accomplished newspaper executive, Tony worked for and owned numerous community publications over his 40+ year career, including senior-level positions with Pacific-Sierra Publishing, Park Communications, Ingersoll Publications and MediaNews Group.
In 1989, Tony achieved his goal of becoming a newspaper owner when he became president and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Media Group (IMG) – which grew from four to 44 dailies in the upper Midwest. IMG was sold to Lee Enterprises and Liberty Publishing Group in 2000.
Tony then headed to the West Coast to join Pacific-Sierra Publishing as president and CEO. After McClatchy acquired much of Pacific-Sierra in the central valley of California, he formed MainStreet Media Group, which now publishes titles in both northern and southern California including The Gilroy Dispatch, The Morgan Hill Times, The Hollister Free Lance, and The Santa Cruz Good Times.
Tony was recognized by his hometown and fellow classmates when he recieved the 2008 WCHS Academic Inspiration Award.
In December 2010, Tony was named “Newspaper Executive of the Year” by The California Press Association. Tony was most recently owner and CEO of Amador Home Town Media in northern California.
Tony was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Allegretti. He is survived by his children, Brant Allegretti, Brett Allegretti, Amanda Allegretti, Aimee Allegretti, his brother Andrew Allegretti, and 2 grandchildren.
Anthony Allegretti January 26, 1945 – July 31, 2013
