Anthony Schwoegler Obituary, Death – Following a painful and prolonged struggle with mental health and substance abuse, Anthony “Tony” James Schwoegler took his own life on April 24, 2022, at the age of 31.
Tony was born in Madison, Wis., on April 11, 1991, to Carol Binger and Daniel Schwoegler. He grew up the youngest of four children with his three siblings Jill, Ryan and Amy, on the West Side of Madison, attending Glenn Stephens Elementary and Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and graduating from Madison Memorial High School in 2009.
Tony was employed at UW Health starting in 2016, and over the years he acquired various certifications that he took great pride in. He recently completed the Medical Assistant program and was very happy with his new career working in Orthopedics.
Those who knew Tony experienced his vivacious personality, his unique outlook on life, his curiosity and sense of humor, and his desire to help each person he met. Tony never met a stranger, and he elevated every social environment he was in with his outgoing personality and friendly demeanor. He was a great storyteller, a joker, a prankster and could always be heard in the next room over or down the hall.
He cherished time with his family, especially his nieces and nephews. He loved sports, spending time outdoors, traveling, and going to the gym. Tony’s social abilities knew no boundaries, and he loved gatherings where he could meet new people. He was a part of so many different communities, including the LGBTQ community, where he found hope, happiness, and love. Tony met his partner, Craig, in 2013 and together they enjoyed years of happiness.
Although Tony was always the life of the party and full of humor, he had an ongoing and often silent struggle with mental health, substance abuse and ultimately addiction. While his family and close friends worked hard to try and steer him in a better direction and hold him accountable, the cunning, baffling nature of addiction led him down a path of dishonesty and apathy that hindered any progress toward accountability and healing. Near the end, Tony truly wanted to get better, and he was working hard to heal himself in the weeks before a particularly difficult stretch that led to his impulsive and final act of desperation.
Even through his own pain, however, Tony deeply wanted to help others. Before he passed, Tony was active on social media and in his posts he displayed amazing courage and vulnerability in discussing his struggles and his pain. He wanted to start a community support group where these particular issues could be discussed, yet another reason Tony will always be remembered for his caring, friendly, and compassionate spirit.
There will be a Memorial Fund started in Tony’s honor, to ensure that his story is told, and that the issues that led to his early passing are discussed openly in society so that others may find hope and healing. This fund will also serve to benefit local organizations that support causes aligning with Tony’s struggles and to participate or hold events to remember our beloved Tony and all those who share in his experience.
Donations can be made payable to “Tony Schwoegler Memorial Fund” and mailed to any Summit Credit Union Branch, Venmo @Tschwoeglermemorialfund or Zelle @ [email protected] . (Tax ID: 88-1979383). We are always here to listen and offer support to anyone struggling with addiction or mental health, in any capacity.
Tony is reunited with his grandparents, Leon Binger, William and Patricia Schwoegler, and Gary and Kathy Arling. He will be greatly missed by his mother, Carol and father, Daniel; siblings, Jill (Kraig) Squires, Ryan (Amanda) Schwoegler and Amy Schwoegler; partner, Craig Hansen; nephews, Cody, Alessandro and Hudson; nieces, Cami, Josie and Madi; his grandmother, Madeline Binger; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. THOMAS AQUINAS CATHOLIC CHURCH, 602 Everglade Drive, Madison, at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 29, 2022. Family and friends who wish to view the Mass via LIVE STREAM may visit Tony’s obituary page at www.gundersonfh.com at 11 a.m. on Friday. A visitation will be held at the church from 9 a.m. until the time of the Mass on Friday.
