Johnny 'Tony' Barrios
VENTURA — Johnny “Tony” Barrios, a Ventura native, who received a Bronze Star in World War II, raced Olympic champion Jesse Owens on horseback and ran Tony’s Pizzaria in downtown Ventura for more than 50 years died May 26, at home surrounded by family and his pets. Barrios had recently had heart surgery and had been resting comfortably at home, he was 87 years old, the The Tortilla Flats Legacy Committee reported in a media release on Saturday.
Johnny was one of those larger-than-life, home-grown hero’s that Ventura has been known to produce, the committee reported. Countless people from near and far and teams have celebrated sweet life while enjoying Tony’s pizza’s.
After giving the Tortilla Flats mural project team a wonderful interview, Johnny and his horse ShortyT were painted into the mural on Figueroa by artist M.B. Hanrahan.
Farewell services for Johnny “Tony” Barrios are as follows: Tuesday, June 11th a viewing will be held at Reardon’s Funeral Home in Oxnard, 511 No. A St. from 4 to 8pm. On Wednesday, June 12th at noon at the Old Mission a Mass will be held followed by a reception at 2pm at the VFW Hall on Market St. in Ventura (near Callens Road).
Click here to see the full obituary in the Ventura County Star.
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