MISS YOU, TONY

Tony Reissig was a very dear friend of mine and one of the most special people in my life.  We met when we shared a table at a class for Campaign Management that was given by the Republican Party.  We hit it off immediately, working together at GOP Headquarters and remaining friends until the end of his life. 

Tony traveled the world teaching governments and people how to vote in free democratic elections.  An elections expert, he wrote guidebooks and helped plan elections and train poll workers in Ukraine, Serbia, Georgia, Hungary, Albania, Belarus, Bangladesh and other countries.

A Cincinnati native, he graduated from Purcell High School and the Pasadena College of Theater Arts.  He worked in Hamilton County for 28 years – as a probation officer, court bailiff and administrator of the Board of Elections.  He was a member of Ohio Election Officials and the International Association of Clerks, Recorders, Election Officials and Treasurers.    He was a past district trustee for the Fraternal Order of Police Associations and became the Administrator for the Hamilton County Board of Elections.  He was also the former commodore of the Four Seasons Yacht Club and a food and wine connoisseur. 

Tony passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, at Hospice of Cincinnati, after a 14 month  battle with brain cancer.  He was on 59 years old.  He was buried in beautiful Spring Grove Cemetery. 

So many things could be said about Tony, but mostly how much he loved life, his interest on everything and never wanting to be away from the action and his love of food, travel and boating.  Tony made everything fun for whoever he was with.  Together, we loved going to eat at the restaurants downtown after we got off work, loved attending political fundraisers and parties for candidates, loved going to Kenny Rogers concerts together, loved going down on the river for a sail. 

Tony would often invite me over to his apartment for a grill-out on his patio.  Sometimes steak, sometimes shrimp, sometimes chicken.  But ALWAYS his special Campfire Potatoes.  They were so cheesy and so melty in buttery goodness.  I share his recipe with all of you.  Tony would have LOVED that!

Tony, I love you and I miss you.  Thank you for being the best friend I ever had.  XO XO

CAMPFIRE POTATOES

5 medium potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced

1 medium onion, sliced

6 tablespoons butter

1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Salt and pepper to taste

1/3 cup chicken broth

1/8 tsp. Paprika

Place the potatoes and onion on a large piece of heavy-duty foil (about 20 in. x 20 in.); dot with butter. Combine the cheese, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper; sprinkle over potatoes.

Fold foil up around potatoes and add broth. Sprinkle lightly with Paprika.  Seal the edges of foil well. Grill, covered, over medium heat for 35-40 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Yield: 4-6 servings.