Federal Way man killed in crash ‘cared so much about people’

Anthony “Tony” Vanmoorsel was the caretaker in his family.

On his day off work, he’d take his mother to play bingo. When his uncle died recently, Vanmoorsel packed up and temporarily moved in with his cousin so she wouldn’t be alone while grieving.

“He was the caring one,” said his sister, April Morrow. “His heart was so sensitive. He cared so much about people.”

Vanmoorsel, 54, of Federal Way, died Wednesday after his car hit a patch of ice, crossed the centerline of Pacific Highway South, clipped a semi-trailer and crashed into a pickup truck.

Paramedics removed him from his car, which flipped on its side, and took him to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he died.

The crash closed both directions of the highway for nearly seven hours.

Vanmoorsel worked as a driver for Bargreen Ellingson, a restaurant supply company. He previously worked as a shuttle bus driver at the airport and a delivery driver for Target.

He is survived by his wife, Tina; their daughter Kristine, 35; and grandson Cody, 15.

Vanmoorsel enjoyed camping, riding quads and target shooting and was a big Seattle Seahawks fan. He held season tickets and never missed a game.

There was always a smile on his face and a laugh not far behind, friends and family members said.

“He was a gregarious, friendly butterfly,” Morrow said. “He had friends everywhere. Tony was the type of guy that if you needed something, he was there for you. He always had your back.”

This story was originally published November 27, 2015 at 3:44 PM with the headline "Federal Way man killed in crash ‘cared so much about people’."