Anthony Chaperon

Anthony “Tony” Chaperon, 39, a Michigan native residing in Knox County unexpectedly and tragically lost his life on August 1, 2024. Anthony was a proud father who, quite literally, gave blood, sweat, and tears to ensure his family was always taken care of. He loved his dog, Trixie, his best friend in animal form. Anthony loved to work with his hands, building and fixing things. He loved cars and refused to let a mechanic work on any of his vehicles. If he didn’t know how to fix the problem, he’d research until he found the solution. There was nothing he couldn’t repair and he took pride in his ability to do so. He was an avid sports fan, as well as an athlete. He loved Detroit sports, and despite the fact that the Lions disappointed him often, he was loyal to the Honolulu Blue. Anthony loved to play hockey and golf but could often be found in the bowling alley competing with himself to improve his game. His love for bowling inspired him to take on an active role in supporting his own bowling league teammates as well as imparting technical knowledge and encouragement to his children and their teammates. He excelled in all three sports, but when it came to hockey, World of Chel on the PlayStation 5 was the game he particularly loved. He enjoyed R/C racing and was a founding member of the ABC Race Team. He has won championship games, bowling matches, rounds of golf, and even R/C races, but he always said that his biggest win in life was being a Dad. 

Anthony was a dedicated employee of CMC Steel Knoxville for 20 years, where he was affectionately known as “Lil Dog” In that time, he became an expert in the intricacies of the steel making process, but he was not content to be a laborer until retirement. During his climb to the top, he enrolled in the Industrial Maintenance and Mechatronics program at the Tennessee School of Applied Technology (TCAT). Anthony excelled in his studies and was set to graduate this month. While he didn’t get to fully realize the fruits of his labor, Anthony was soon to be awarded a promotion to a position at CMC that put him one step closer to achieving his goals. His family is incredibly proud of his accomplishments.

Anthony is preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Mario and Josephine Purgatori, his paternal grandfather, Lucien Chaperon, and his uncles Dennis Butske and Angelo “Tubby” Jacovetti.

He is survived by his children, Jayce and Hazel Chaperon, the mother of his children, Tiffany Chaperon, parents Ron “Dad” Chaperon and Christine “Momma” Purgatori, brothers Ronnie Chaperon and Terry O’Keefe, paternal grandmother Hazel “Mammy” Chaperon, nephew Tyler Chaperon, aunts Debbie Butske and Mary “Mare” Young, Uncle Fred Young, his many cousins and extended family, his friends, and his CMC family. 

The family would like to extend their gratitude to each person who has shown their love and support through a kind word, a visit, a meal, or a prayer during this unfathomably difficult time. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Anthony Chaperon Memorial Scholarship Fund through TCAT that will enable another hard-working blue-collar family man, like Anthony, to gain the skills and education necessary to fully realize their own dreams. 

https://tcatknoxville.edu/news/anthony-chaperon-memorial-scholarship-fund