Anton Severin Raymann

Anton (Tony) Severin Raymann peacefully entered Heaven on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the age of 93. He was born on February 29, 1932, in Uznach, Switzerland, the 16th of 17 children, and grew up on the Eggweid family farm in Ricken, Switzerland.

Tony’s love for music began at the age of six, when he first picked up the accordion. At 13, he left home to attend high school, later continuing on to Institut Stavia for college. By 17, he was already playing the accordion professionally in his spare time.

In 1960, Tony’s employer, American Express, transferred him from Switzerland to San Francisco. A year later, he returned home to Switzerland to marry Paulette, and together they began their life in San Francisco, where they bought their first home.

In the late 1960s, Tony formed the Tony Raymann Edelweiss Dance Band. He became well known for his joyful performances of European-style music—Swiss, German, Austrian, and neighboring traditions—alongside Latin, Dixieland, and American favorites. His yodeling always delighted audiences, and his devoted “fan club” of dancers often followed him from one Bay Area performance to the next. Over the years, Tony was blessed to share the stage with many wonderful band members and fellow musicians, whose friendship, talent, and camaraderie brought even more richness to his music and life. Tony’s upbeat spirit, humor, and favorite saying, “C’est la vie d’artiste,” reflected his lifelong desire to bring joy to others. And at the end of every performance, he closed with his traditional final song, “Auf Wiedersehen,” a heartfelt farewell to his audiences.

Beyond music, Tony and his wife, Paulette were successful entrepreneurs, owning several businesses over the years, including Des Alpes Restaurant in Palo Alto, Abbey Carpet in Corte Madera, and Clogs Unlimited in San Rafael and San Francisco. Tony also earned both a Certified Public Accountant license and a California Real Estate license.

Together, Tony and Paulette made their homes in San Francisco, Daly City, and Palo Alto, but his greatest pride and joy was their 10-acre property in Gordon Valley, Napa. Surrounded by oak tree-filled rolling hills, it was there that Tony found peace and happiness, often spending his days outdoors, soaking up the sunshine, watching the birds, and appreciating the beauty of the land. In his final years, he expressed gratitude often for what he called “an amazing life.”

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Raymann and Maria Mueller; and his 16 siblings: Maria Lina, Maria Aloisia, Joseph Thomas, Anton Thomas, Franz, Rosa Bertha, Ida Aloisa, Josef Anton, Meinrada, Rosa, Wilhelm Anton, Anna, Alois Anton, Hermann, Emil Josef, and Marie Eusabia.

Tony is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Paulette; his daughter, Colette Nelson-Dinn, and her husband, Greg of Seaside, California; his son, Scott Raymann, and his wife, Stephanie of Napa, California; as well as many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews in both the U.S. and Switzerland.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Cindy for her care and compassion during Tony’s final months.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Tony’s honor may be made to the Tony Raymann student accordion scholarship fund (https://www.gofundme.com/tony-raymann-accordion-scholarship)