Toni Lea (Bellissimo) Floyd

Toni Lea Bellissimo Floyd, of Ely, Minnesota, passed away on Monday, June 1, at the age of 76. She was the beloved wife of Richard P. Floyd for 46 years; the daughter of the late Anthony P. and (Lillian) Irene Bellissimo; the mother of George G. Cravaritis, Jr., Peter N. Cravaritis, Anthony P. Cravaritis and Robert D. Cravaritis; the stepmother of Jeffrey R. Floyd and Audra M. Floyd Dugue; the sister of Jeri (Kevin) Lynch, Debi (Timothy) Lukaszewicz and Robert (Terry) Bellissimo; and the grandmother of 11. Toni’s funeral service will be held at the Ely United Methodist Church at 11:00 on Monday, June 22, with visitation one hour before. Memorial Donations can be directed to the Conquer Cancer Foundation or flowers sent to the church.

Born in Houston, Texas, Toni’s family moved to Maryland when she was eight. There, she spent most of her formative years. In adulthood she led a busy life devoted to children. She worked for Head Start as a social service assistant for 20 years. Raising four young boys on her own while also working was no easy task. After Rich came into her life, she gained yet another boy and a girl. Rich had periodic sea duty, so her task of raising six children (all teenagers at one point), often on her own, was daunting, but she handled it and handled it well.

Toni resigned her position with Head Start in 1998 when Rich resigned from the NOAA Commissioned Corps, and they moved to the Ely area. Having dabbled in quilting for a long time, in retirement she could devote many hours a day to it. She started a group in the Methodist Church called “Quilts for At-risk Kids.” During her time with the group, they produced hundreds of quilts that were delivered to area foster care agencies.

Toni loved to talk. Before they met, Toni and Rich each had boys in Cub Scouts. It so happened that Toni was the den mother and Rich was the assistant pack master. At the time, Rich was traveling a lot for work and never showed up for meetings. Finally, he did. Toni gave several reports for den mothers who were absent. Jokingly, Rich turned to a common friend and said, “Doesn’t she ever shut up?” It was no joke to Toni, who took it seriously! How they ever got together is another story. Life has many twists and turns.

Toni will be dearly missed by Rich, her family and friends.

Family arrangements have been entrusted to Kerntz Funeral Home in Ely.

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