Antonio "Tony" Zamora Bello Jr.

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Little Rock Zoo
1 Zoo Dr, Little Rock, AR 72205
Little Rock, AR  72205
Antonio "Tony" Zamora Bello Jr.

of Conway, AR

May 6, 1930 - January 16, 2022

Antonio (Tony) Zamora Bello, Jr. gained his angel wings on January 16, 2022. He lived a long life full of global adventures which involved his family, his passion for animals, and his ''gang'' at the zoo. During his last years, he cherished every get together with friends and family, often including updates in his weekly emails about how these moments made his day.

Tony was born on May 6, 1930 in San Manuel, Pangasinan, Philippines. He graduated Salutatorian from San Narciso, Zambales High School in the Philippines and then graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from National University in Manila in 1954 where he was voted Most Outstanding Male Student of the Year.

Tony married Sonia Castillo Reyes in September of 1961 and at that time, called Marikina, Rizal home. The family, now including three daughters, Laura, Pauline and Cecile, immigrated to Canada in 1968 where their son Joel was born. In 1970, sponsored by Kimberly Clark, the family moved to the U.S., first living in Munising, Michigan and seven years later to Conway, Arkansas which has been home since 1978. While living in Conway, Tony earned his MBA from the University of Central Arkansas before retiring from Kimberly Clark in 1994.

In 2003, Tony began his ''second career'' as a Docent (volunteer educator) at the Little Rock Zoo. With his zoo family, Tony traveled to many zoos around the country and the world documenting every animal with photos and natural history information so that future volunteers would not have to gather this information themselves. He used to pass this information to all new docents as a reward for graduation. He never asked for anything in return saying that being at the zoo with friends was all the reward he needed. He was legendary for always providing chocolate snacks or a fun story about his childhood in the Philippines.

If you were to talk to his family, they would say that Lolo (his family nickname) always had a story to share which would likely include statistics or some other research that he had conducted. As an amateur photographer, he could be counted on to document family get togethers where he also continued his love of chocolate distribution. Whenever possible he would host family and friends at ''his'' zoo, helping them grow to love all the animals, but especially all the creepy crawly insects and reptiles, which if you shared any fear or phobia for he would ensure pictures of them made it into his regular family emails where he would also document his health and most recent happenings in his life.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents Antonio Estavillo Bello and Demetria Bodomo Zamora; two sisters Liling de Asis and Judith Diñoso, and a brother Ricarte Bello.

His is survived by two sisters, Emma Sta. Rosa and Mila Alberto; three daughters, Laura Bello of San Francisco, CA; Pauline Mohler (Mark) of Bentonville, AR; Cecile Bello of Conway, AR; two sons, Joel Bello (Dawn) and Nicholas Bello of Conway, AR; six grandchildren Kirstyn Dewsnup (Alex), Reese Tureman, Azai Tureman, Meredith Mohler, Katelyn Bello and Noah England. He had a number of relatives and a whole host of friends around the world that will miss him dearly, included his beloved family at the Little Rock Zoo. All who have been touched by Tony will miss his kindness, generosity and insight.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 22, 2022 at noon, followed by a Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. Central Time at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1115 College Ave, Conway, AR. This will also be livestreamed via the St. Joseph Catholic Church YouTube Channel. Interment will take place following mass and the family invites friends for a meal at St. Joseph parish afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a memorial gift may be made to:

Arkansas Zoological Foundation
c/o Susan Harris, in memory of Tony Bello
1 Zoo Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205

Or online at
LR Zoo Donation





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29 Condolence(s)
Joe Alcedo
Castaic, CA
Liked
Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Sonia
I surely will miss Tony a great friend of mine from way back at P&G Philippines till here. We’ve been connecting by email and I love his regular updates. Now he is rested in peace!
Condolences to you all. God bless!
Joe A

Daniel Escasa
Pasig,
Liked
Tuesday, January 25, 2022

A quick note to offer prayers and condolences. I am the son of the late Alfeo Escasa, who exchanged snail mail with uncle Tony until his death in 1991. When email came along, he somehow found my mother Nenita and has since exchanged email with *her*.

John E Hollender
Conway, AR
Liked
Sunday, January 23, 2022

Sonia,
I was so shocked when I saw you after mass this morning and learning of Tony’s passing on the 16th. I had just saw you both after mass that day and we said hello’s and asked how we were doing. I missed the Facebook announcement as I don’t use very often and there was no newspaper notice.

Tony was a great fishing buddy and I regret that we didn’t start up after I moved back to Conway. Seemed like work was keeping to busy to take time for the more important things in life like going fishing with Tony.

If there is anything I can do for you, please give a call. I want to help you if I can. Best wishes on your future.

Dan Binder
Basking Ridge, NJ
Liked
Sunday, January 23, 2022

My condolences to you and your family Pauline at this difficult time. As I get a glimpse into his life story and that great picture, I can tell he was a kind man and led an impressive life. God bless him.

Carolyn Kennedy
Greenbrier, AR
Liked
Saturday, January 22, 2022

I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Tony at Ki.betly Clark. He was an amazing man. After retirement we visited him at the zoo with our children. He did bring out a snake.(I am deathly afraid of snakes) He was so much fun
His Camara clicking away.

Mar Redigolo
Morgantown, WV
Liked
Saturday, January 22, 2022

The news about Tony really made me quite sad. He was truly an amazing, funny, and unique person. I've met him through his niece Liza. I visited Little Rock for a few days, years ago, when I met him face-to-face. We went to some of the city's attractions but the most memorable visit was the tour of the Little Rock Zoo. It was clear how passionate he was about the animals and the work done there. I could learn from him how a zoo works from behind the scenes and he let me experience the close encounter with some of his favorite animals, while he took amazing photos. I always love his photos. Over the years, we kept in contact, discussing his trips, photography, the news. He was always well informed and very curious. I am quite fortunate and grateful to have known him. He will never be forgotten. My deepest sympathy and most sincere condolences to Sonia and his family. 

Patricia Walsh
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, January 22, 2022

Sonia so sorry for your lose. Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

Pam Madison Wright
Memphis, TN
Liked
Saturday, January 22, 2022

I'm holding this family that I love so deeply up in prayers today. He touched the lives of so many. I'm praying for peace for your broken hearts.

Rafael and Maureen Soto
Conway, AR
Liked
Saturday, January 22, 2022

Our deepest condolences for his passing. We both worked for Kimberly Clark in Conway and became friends over 30 years ago. We enjoyed eating at Chinese restaurants, the last one being Mulan three weeks ago. Tony joined us in Peru several years ago where he toured and enjoyed the local wildlife, especially in the Amazon jungle. He spoke several languages and loved to practice speaking Spanish. . We will miss seeing him at 8 o'clock mass on Sundays. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and the family.

Christy Brazil
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, January 21, 2022

My prayers are with you all at this time. Tony lived a full and loving life and we should all strive to live life like he did. I am so sorry for your loss and know he will be missed here on this earthly plane. He is on another adventure in heaven!

Ken Halter
Conway, AR
Liked
Friday, January 21, 2022

Sue Sewell
Conway, AR
Liked
Thursday, January 20, 2022

I knew Tony from St. Joseph Church. I saw him a lot while I was secretary there. Tony had a great love for God. I never saw him without a smile.
I am so sorry for your loss and pray for healing for your family.

Christie Campney
Maumelle, AR
Liked
Thursday, January 20, 2022

I was heartbroken to hear the news of Tony's passing. I have so many treasured memories of docent trips with Tony. He always had a wonderful story to share and was just a fountain of information on all thing's insects and reptiles. He actually made me learn to appreciate them and many times had me laughing at a fun fact about them. I delighted in every moment I was fortunate enough to spend with him and especially enjoyed when we went to get lunch at Riviera Maya after a day of sharing the Little Rock Zoo animals with zoo visitors. It was then that he would share special stories of being a child in the Philippines. He was quite the adventurer. To me he was a treasured friend, and I will miss him so very much. Thank you to Sonia and his family for sharing this amazing man with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Kristin Harris
Benton,
Liked
Thursday, January 20, 2022

Tony was such a great man! Always happy, always dependable and always a favorite to all who knew and loved him. I knew him from the zoo and always enjoyed visiting with him. He will be missed!

Deborah Griswold
Conway, AR
Liked
Thursday, January 20, 2022

Cecile we the family of 2575 send our heartfelt condolences to you and your family may God give you all comfort and strength at this difficult time.

Randal Berry
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Everyone at the Zoo loved Tony! He was such a nice person and very ,very smart and loved educating the public on animals! He will always be missed!

Kellene Storey
Austin, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

I was so surprised to hear of Tony's passing. I am a Docent at the Little Rock Zoo. I have done many programs with Tony and enjoyed many fun facts he loved to share. I have been on many docent trips with him including Australia. He always had chocolate to share. The first time I met him was at docent training when he was showing a tarantula. He ask for a volunteer to hold it and i volunteered. He was surprised I would hold it, since mosts people wouldn't. He was a wonderful, knowledgeable man and he will be missed.

Lesley Bingham
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

I only met Tony a few times, but Joel, Laura, and Pauline always had stories about his adventures. Always curious about seemingly everything around him. Always happy to see them and hear about their lives. Such a great man.

Lucy Kelley
Bentonville, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Pauline, the Dare to Dream team has you in our thoughts and prayers. Much love to you and your family during this time. We are here to support you any way that you need. Praying for peace and comfort, Lucy

Laura Ganann and Nathan Fridley
Bentonville, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

We hope the beautiful life your father led and the number of people he touched brings you peace even as you grieve his loss. We are here if you need anything.

Laura and Nathan

Charissa Tillery-Harris
Conway, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

I will always remember Tony from a school trip to Honduras. He truly loved learning and sharing his experiences. To his family; you are in my prayers.

Marvin and Carolyn Burnam
Havana, FL
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

We are deeply sorry for your loss. We both have such fond memories of Tony and know he will be greatly missed. Praying for all of the family and friends.

Ray & Nancy Moix
Conway, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you all for peace and comfort only our Lord can provide.

Katrina Walsh Hawkins
Mount Vernon, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Pauline,
So sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you all.

Susan Harris
Little Rock, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Tony Bello was a gift from God, sent to our zoo, many years ago. He has touched so many lives, educated so many minds, and loved unconditionally, so many people that he had encountered, during his weekly visits to our zoo. He thrived on approaching our zoo guests with whatever 'creature' he was holding or zoo book he was toting, always anxious to educate the eager minds, of anyone and everyone that would listen. Tony always drew a crowd, wherever he was. There were many reasons we always looked forward to seeing Tony Bello come to our zoo. It wasn't just his smiling face or smiling eyes... or funny jokes he always had to tell, or words of wisdom he had to share. Most importantly.........it was the chocolate candy he always brought us, by the bags full! And it wasn't the cheap stuff....it was the GOOD KIND! Tony loved to bring us treats, and you wouldn't dare decline his offer, as 'Persistent' was his middle name! Tony was so very loved, as a member of our zoo family. We will be forever grateful to his family, especially Mrs. Sonya....for sharing him with us for so many years.

Marilyn Irwin
Cabot, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

I was shocked yo hear of Tony's passing. I am a Little Rock Zoo Docent. I was privileged enough to go on many zoo trips with Tony, including our globe trotting adventure to Australia !!!

I always called Tony our walking encyclopedia !!!! He would just grin at me.. when i first became a docent, i did a lot of school programs with Tony, and learned so much knowledge from him.

And of course our docent pot lucks and Tony's chocolates were a must. Lots of great conversations when on our docent trips, Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, Zoo Atlanta. Columbus zoo. Omaha zoo. Tulsa zoo...to name a few. So many miles. So many conversations, so much fun.

Tony liked to talk.to visitors at the zoo, and on any nice weather day you would see him walking around the zoo telling guests about the animals.

I lost a weekly email buddy, and a great friend and docent.!!! Tony was a treasure, and he will be greatly missed.

Cord & Kayle Leonhardt
Bentonville, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Our condolences Pauline and your family.

Ed & Mandy Ozimek
Rogers, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Our prayers are with your family. We will always remember Loki’s sweet smile

Lee & Stan Jaros
Cammack Village, AR
Liked
Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Tony will be missed. Prayers ongoing for the family.