Bishop Anthony F. Tonnos was born on August 1, 1935 in Port Colborne, Ontario; he is the fourth of five children in the Tonnos family. His childhood and teen years were largely spent in his town of birth. Higher Education took him to Toronto in the mid 1950's. His Excellency graduated from the Faculty of Arts at the University of Toronto and, in his pursuit of a career in the Church, he achieved a further degree in Sacred Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College. Later, he traveled to Rome for additional studies, and returned to Canada after earning his specialist’s designation in Canon Law.

On May 27, 1961 Bishop Tonnos was ordained a Priest in the City of St. Catharines. His distinguished career has involved many appointments and honours: pastor for many parishes; Chancellor in the Diocese of St. Catharines; Judge, Toronto Marriage Tribunal; Prelate of Honour and Vicar General.

On July 12, 1983, in St. Alfred’s Church, St. Catharines, His Excellency was ordained Bishop by the late Most Reverend Thomas J. McCarthy, S.T.D., and retired Bishop of the Diocese of St. Catharines. Bishop Tonnos served as the Auxiliary Bishop of Hamilton from this date until May 5, 1984 when he was named the eighth Bishop of the Diocese of Hamilton. (Now Retired)

In addition to his episcopal duties and challenges in managing the day-to-day workings of the Diocese, Bishop Tonnos is active with both the Ontario and Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops. He is the Past President of the OCCB and is currently the chairman of their Diocesan Insurance Plan Committee. He is currently the Treasurer of the CCCB, a member of their Executive Committee and serves on several of the conference’s commissions. Bishop Tonnos also serves as the Delegate of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith for Cases of Non-Catholic Clergy in Canada who wish to become Catholic Priests.

We, the staff and students of Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School, are honoured and privileged to have such distinguished Catholic leader consent to the use of his name for our school.