Tony Ellis Pope was born on March 13, 1961, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, to the late Charlie Pope and Alberta Jean Davis. Affectionately known as "Bo Bonze" and "Pump Pump" in Linmar Terrace, Tony was Aliquippa born and raised, and Aliquippa remained a part of him throughout his life. He was preceded in death by his parents and three siblings, Shawn Pope, Charles Pope, and Michelle Cooper.

Tony was a man of strength, survival, and undeniable presence. Those who knew him knew that he had seen storms, weathered them, and lived long enough to become more than what he had survived. Around Aliquippa, Tony was known as an OG, a knockout artist, and an ALIQUIPPA LEGEND, the kind of man whose name came with a story.

Tony was a skilled carpenter and scalloper who knew the value of working with his hands. Away from work, he found pleasure in the simple things: cooking, gardening, playing the lottery, dancing, and listening to music. His playlist could travel from Motown and Al Green to DMX, gangsta rap, and Kendrick Lamar. Tony loved his hometown, loved God's Word, and above all, loved his family.

His faith became an important part of the man he grew to be. Tony was a member of Antioch Freewill Baptist Church, and the words of Psalm 23 spoke to a life that knew both valleys and the faith required to keep walking through them. Marvin Sapp's Never Would Have Made It reflected a testimony Tony knew personally: he survived.

But beyond the toughness and the stories was Tony the man, a protector with a remarkably kind heart. He was known to help anyone he could and would give someone the shirt off his back. He had an especially deep love for children, and his grandchildren brought him tremendous joy and laughter. Beneath the exterior was a man who loved hard, protected what belonged to his heart, and understood the importance of family.

One of the greatest chapters of Tony's life was the love he shared with his wife, Ericka L. Barbee-Pope. Their marriage brought a new rhythm to his life. A man who had spent many years surviving found peace in home, companionship, family, and the ordinary grace of simply being present. Tony became a homebody. He enjoyed his wife, his children, his grandchildren, and the life they built together.

Tony's life became a testimony of love, growth, family, and grace. His strength was not only in what could be seen. Like the unseen structure that steadies a vessel through rough waters, some of Tony's greatest impact lived beneath the surface. He protected. He provided. He showed up. He became a source of safety and belonging for those he loved.

And if Tony believed anything about people, he believed in what was real. Two of his favorite sayings captured him plainly: "Real is Real" and, in true Tony fashion, "Bullshit is Bullshit." There was little need for pretending with Bo Bonze. You knew where he stood.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife, Ericka L. Barbee-Pope; his children, Anthony Pope, Dorcas Carney, Jeremiah Pugh, Kaziah Pugh, Janika N. Wood, and Ashley R. Wood; his grandchildren, Shakur Anthony Pope, MyMy Pearson, Sequoia Pearson, Juantez Jr., Jayde Hollins, and Lily G.; his sisters, Lanette Pope, Dellarea Campbell, Reva Dent, and Teresa Fisher; his devoted cousin, Tamika Genes; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, friends, and a community filled with people who knew and loved Bo Bonze.

Tony lived. Tony survived. Tony loved. And Tony was loved.

Real is Real.

And the love was Real