Obituaries : Tony Dandeneau, Owner of Sherman Oaks Swim School

Tony Dandeneau, owner of the now-defunct Sherman Oaks Swim School, has died.

During the school’s heyday, Dandeneau--whose birth name was Townsend Dwight Seymour--coached many athletes to state, national and international competition. His students included Olympian Mike Austin, Danny Drown and the children of many celebrities.

Dandeneau died Sunday from complications following a series of strokes at the Garden Terrace Nursing Home in Vista, said his daughter, Linda Susan Prentice, of Lake Arrowhead. He was 80.

Born April 8, 1916 in Los Angeles, Dandeneau attended a local military school as a child. He graduated from Hollywood High School in 1934. Subsequently, he opened a cafe and candy store called Betty Bolton’s in Hollywood. It thrived until 1950.

A gifted athlete during his childhood, Dandeneau’s interest in sports carried over to adulthood, culminating in the establishment of the Sherman Oaks Swim School on Ventura Boulevard in 1950. The school closed in 1981.

A longtime resident of Sherman Oaks, Dandeneau moved to Garden Terrace just over a year ago.

“My father was always happiest when he was coaching because that was what he dedicated his life to and that’s what he did best,” said Prentice, whose mother was married to Dandeneau--who married six times--for six years until her death in 1955. “That’s who he was . . . he was a coach.”

In addition to his daughter, Dandeneau is survived by his sons, Robert, of Carmichael, Donald of Carlsbad, and James of Encinitas; 11 grandchildren, and 9 great-grandchildren.

There will be no funeral.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.