Anthony Philemonoff, 56, died peacefully surrounded by his family, Jan. 13, 2009.

A viewing will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, January 17, 2009.  Following the viewing at 11 a.m. there will be a memorial service at St. Innocent Russian Orthodox Cathedral, 401 Turpin St. Anchorage AK.  Family and friends are invited to gather at the International Inn for a lunch gathering.  The funeral for our beloved brother in Christ will take place early next week on St. Paul Island at the St.’s Peter and Paul Church.  Immediately following the burial service family and friends are invited to Anthony and Becky’s home for a tea party and his favorite food in celebration of Anthony’s life.

Anthony was born July 14, 1952, on St. Paul Island to Terenty and Alexandra Philemonoff.  He graduated from Mt. Edgecombe high school in 1971, and furthered his education at AMU.  In 1977, Anthony met Rebecca Melovidov.  This last summer they celebrated their 30 wonderful years together with their five children.

Anthony was a true born leader, like his father before him.  He was a defender and advocate for the legal and economic rights of the Aleut people.  After a brief stint at college, Anthony joined the Native Land claims movement.  While working first with AFN and then later with the Aleut League, he traveled to all the Aleut Villages to help them get legally recorded as official Alaska Native Village Corporations.  Anthony then moved back home to St. Paul Island to help incorporate his own village.  There he served as a Board of Director for TDX Corporation for 33 years, and went on to serve as its President for 24 continuous years until his passing on.  During this time Anthony helped start the commercial fisheries on the island as one of the first captains of a commercial halibut boat out of St. Paul.  He and other leaders of St. Paul fought for and lobbied for equal access to the abundant fishing resources around Bering Sea communities.  His actions helped lead to securing rights to fish quotas for Bering Sea Villages, now known as the CDQ program. Anthony continued his drive to help his people by also serving on the Council for the St. Paul Tribe, the City Council and worked at the Pribilof School District. Of all of his efforts, Anthony was most proud of his leadership at the Village Corporation, TDX. He never varied from being the defender of his home land and his fight for economic and legal independence for his people. Along with his board and his management team he helped take TDX from a little Village Corporation doing just $70,000 in revenue to a diversified business doing over $70,000,000.00 in revenue; with hotels in Anchorage, Seattle and Portland, an office building in Hawaii, power plants in Dead Horse, Sand Point and the biggest wind-diesel power plant in Alaska on St Paul Island.  One project that was dear to Anthony was TDX’s private dock in the St. Paul harbor.  The dock led to the construction of the biggest Crab processing plant built and operated in the Bering Sea.   Everyone that got to know Anthony grew to love him for his intelligence, sense of humor, and dedication to his family and the people of St. Paul Island. 

Anthony was preceded in death by his father, Terenty Philemonoff, Sr., mother, Alexandra Philemonoff, and by his grandparents.

He is survived by his wife Rebecca, children: Nicholas and April Philemonoff, Alexandra and William Werba, Natasha Philemonoff, Vanessa and Joshua Curci, and Maria Philemonoff; his grandchildren: Ashley, Allison, Aliysa, Angelina, and one more on the way; his brothers and sisters: Ron and Laurie Philemonoff, Margret Misikin, Gladys and Pete Malone, Terenty Jr. and Evelyn Philemonoff, Phillip Philemonoff, and sister Nina Simeonoff; and many more nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Anthony was a fighter, after developing and living with Diabetes for years, he faced kidney failure. In true love, his wife, Becky gave up one of her kidneys to keep the fight going. Unfortunately, the anti-rejection medication had a side effect and caused the spread of cancer. Not willing to give up the fight he went through yet another surgery and chemo therapy. His valiant struggle was inspiring, and we all can find comfort that his suffering has ended.

Donations may be made to TDX Foundation (a tax deductable organization) at 4300 B Street, suite 402 Anchorage, AK. 99503; it is Anthony's and Becky's wish that we help our children's education through the donation to the TDX scholarship fund.