Anthony “Tony” Kendall Sawyer, 68, of Galloway Township, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2026, at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Tony was born on April 18, 1958, in Lewiston, Maine, to Anne Sawyer. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1976.

Tony discovered his passion for cooking while growing up in Maine. He began his career at Happy Jacks restaurant where he started as a dishwasher and worked his way up to becoming a cook. It was also at Happy Jacks where he met his wife, Kelli. They were married for 46 years and built a life together in Maine and New Jersey. Tony later worked at family restaurants, including Sisters and Marcos, continuing to develop the craft that would become such an important part of his life. After moving to New Jersey, Tony went on to become a Chef at Trump Plaza, where he worked from 1988 until 2010. He later worked as a custodian for Galloway Township Public Schools from 2013 until 2022.

Tony loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed the simple pleasures he grew up with in Maine—ice fishing, fishing, and hunting. He was a diehard New England sports fan, proudly cheering on the Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, and Bruins. He also loved NASCAR. Most of all, Tony loved spending time with his family and his beloved pets, Mack, Boo, and Sebastian.

Tony was known for his kindness, his generosity, and his incredible sense of humor. He could find an opportunity to crack a joke in almost any situation and had a way of making the people around him laugh. He was the kind of person who would do anything for anyone, without hesitation and without expecting anything in return. Even after retiring, he found joy in continuing to do what he loved, often cooking at his son-in-law's restaurant, The Cracked Egg Cafe.

Tony was diagnosed with the rare autoimmune disease immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy in 2021. As his illness progressed, he was forced to retire from his career in 2022. He spent the years that followed courageously battling his illness. Through it all, he remained surrounded by the love of his family and those who cared deeply for him. After years of fighting, Tony is finally at peace.

Tony is survived by his beloved wife, Kelli Sawyer; his daughter, Lyndsey Sawyer-Dicesare, and her husband, Robert Dicesare Jr.; his brothers, Richard Sawyer and his wife, Brenda, and David Sawyer and his wife, Janice; his brother-in-law, David Crowley, and his wife, Carrie Bermudez Crowley; as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends in Maine and New Jersey who loved him deeply.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Donna Sawyer, and his mother, Anne Sawyer.

The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff at Penn Medicine who cared for Tony throughout his long battle with immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy and provided compassionate care to him and his family throughout the years.

Tony leaves behind a lifetime of memories, laughter, stories, and love. He will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

A gathering for family and friends will be held at Wimberg Funeral Home, 211 E. Great Creek Road, Galloway, New Jersey, on Saturday, September 26, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. A celebration of Tony’s life will immediately follow. Details regarding the location will be shared with family and friends at the gathering.