Anthony Perry Gorini

Anthony 'Tony' Perry Gorini, age 55, of Vancouver, WA, passed away on the afternoon of Thursday, October 10, 2024, at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center. He was a son of Dick Gorini and the late Karen Gorini. Although Tony was born up the I-5 Corridor, he spent nearly his entire life in Vancouver. His childhood years were spent playing plenty of baseball, riding bikes, making slip n' slides in the long-but-narrow backyard, and exploring in the woods behind his house (where it's possible you could still find some missing army figures buried in mounds of mud). Being raised in a musical household, he also spent a good chunk of his childhood on a piano bench and playing clarinet. Summers were often spent at the shared family cabin on Hood Canal, where he loved to fish (but did not like to clean or eat the fish), swim in the salty water, enjoy late night bonfires, hang out with cousins and when in season, light LOTS of fireworks. School didn't suit him, but after many years of searching for his path, he returned to school in his late 20s and graduated from Washington State University (WSU) with his degree in Psychology. He then went to work as a social worker for the Department of Children Youth and Families. His mom was so very proud, and enjoyed working alongside him briefly, prior to her retirement. Tony took great pride in being a social worker. In his years at DCYF, not only was he an advocate for children and families, but he also spent time as a Union Shop Steward providing advocacy to Department employees. While working full time, Tony also earned his Master's Degree in Social Work (MSW) from Eastern Washington University (EWU). After leaving DCYF, Tony worked as a Therapist for Helping Professionals, and later became an independent social worker contracted with the Washington State Office of Public Defense Parents Representation Program. In his role as an OPD Social Worker, Tony continued his passion of being an advocate for those who were not always able to advocate for themselves. In no particular order, Tony loved video games, books, cats, the Blazers, the Mariners, good tv shows (anything with a historical bent was usually a fave), junk food, candy, pepperoni and pineapple pizza, and Dr. Pepper. To be fair, he liked carrots, too. Tony was very smart, funny, stubborn, a good story-teller, frustrating, deep, irascible, single-minded, and charming. He loved his mom dearly, was a homebody in the truest sense of the word, and outside of work, most enjoyed his time spent with his closest friends. Tony is survived by his brother, Nick (Sarah); father Dick (Claudia); nieces Isabella, Lucia and Sadie; nephew Sam; aunts Gretchen (Derek), Karen and Robin (Kim); uncle Steve (Eloise); many cousins, and several close loyal friends. He is also survived by his beautiful cat, Rajah. An open house at Tony's home to celebrate his life will be held at a later date (details and time to be determined). In the meantime, for more information, please email the family at ngorini@hotmail.com. Remembrances in Tony's name may be made to the Recovery Café of Clark County (www.recoverycafecc.org) or the Southwest Washington Humane Society (www.southwesthumane.org).

Anthony Perry Gorini

July 3, 1969 - October 10, 2024