Sign Community Loses Industry Veteran and Friend

Walter Anthony “Tony” Peloso, sign industry veteran and ISA and SEGA member, passed away Thursday, Jan. 13. His good friend JD Hamilton reflects on his life and contributions to the sign industry.

In memorial to a very dear friend:

Walter Anthony “Tony” Peloso passed away peacefully on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022, following a courageous battle with leukemia, shortly after being in remission from Ewings Sarcoma. He was 51 years old. Born on July 16, 1970, in Alliance, Ohio, Tony was the son of Elizabeth Schubert Peloso and the late Gualtiero “Walter” Peloso.

Tony graduated from the University of Akron with a BS Degree in graphic design. While at Akron, he was the president of Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity. Tony was a former design manager in the signage industry for almost 20 years. Tony loved the Carolina Panthers, the Cleveland Browns and Indians, Ohio State football, golfing, fishing, traveling, and camping. He especially loved being a dad to his daughter Ava. He was a fun-loving guy who had a large network of friends, and he’ll be missed by all who knew him.

I first met Tony in 1989 while he was in college and hired him at a sign shop in Akron part-time. We connected right away and always kept in touch. Fast forward 20 years, and I came to Charlotte to visit him and before we knew it we were working together again. Tony was a very gifted graphic and technical designer and more importantly a great leader of his department. We had lunch nearly every day for several years. It was always a great escape to spend that time with him.

Laugh, OMG his laugh! It was infectious and contagious. Tony loved all things sports, and we loved talking and sharing stories about Ohio. Our work colleagues would always hear one of us yelling “OH” and the other replying “IO.”

His love for Halloween was something we had in common; just Tony had to always take it to another level. His love of life, wife Gina, and daughter Ava was a gift from a very special person.

– JD Hamilton

Peloso will be missed, but his legacy of leadership and collaboration will be the industry’s challenge to see through. The entire GRAPHICS PRO team sends its condolences to Peloso’s family and friends.