Obit: Anthony Ciccone, brother of music icon Madonna

Anthony Ciccone, the beloved elder brother of music icon Madonna, passed away on February 25th, 2023. He was an electrician and winemaker who was adored by his family and friends.

March 2, 2023

March 1, 2023

Photo of Anthony Ciccone with his family

Anthony Ciccone, the beloved elder brother of music icon Madonna, passed away on February 25th, 2023, at the age of 66. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on April 29th, 1956, he was an electrician and winemaker who lived with his wife and family in northern Michigan.

Early Life

The fifth of eight children to Sicilian parents Silvio "Tony" and Carmel Ciccone, Anthony grew up in a strict household in the industrial town of Bay City in Michigan, learning the value of hard work from his father, a Chrysler assembly-line worker. In 1974, he graduated from local Bay City Central High School and took on an apprenticeship as an electrician with Local 58 union in Detroit. He soon became a master electrician, travelling the country and installing lighting systems in many prominent locations, such as the Empire State Building.

Family Life

In 1984, Anthony married his first wife, Gretchen Geary, and they had two children together before divorcing in 1993. He then remarried in 2004, to Christine Fichera, and they settled down in Traverse City, where they had three children. Anthony’s family were all devoted members of the Catholic church.

Career and Later Life

After becoming a master electrician in his twenties, Anthony left city life for a quieter existence in northern Michigan, where he and his brother Mario started their own winery and produced a successful line of wines. He also worked as a contractor for Traverse City Light and Power. Notoriety came early on in his life, with his younger sister Madonna becoming one of the most successful musicians of all time; however, Anthony kept away from the limelight, always maintaining an extremely close bond with his family.

Anthony Ciccone was a loving husband, father, brother, and grandparent whose memory will be cherished by his family and friends.

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