WARREN – Anthony A. “Tony” Kolonich, 79, of Warren entered eternal life at St. Joseph Warren Hospital on Saturday, June 26, 2021.
He was born on May 17, 1942 in Warren, the son of the late Andrew M. Kolonich and Anna M. Bosnak Kolonich.
He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School, born in 1960, worked as a car mechanic at Ward’s Auto Parts and for 35 years at Packard Electric as a production manager.
Tony has enjoyed tinkering with large and small engines all his life.
Tony earned an Associate and Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University. He joined the US Army in 1961. Tony served in postwar Korea as Sergeant Team Chief, Second Missile Battalion, and 71st ADA Soldier of the Month in Korea. His services have been recognized with the Good Conduct Medal, Korean Defense Medal, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and Expert Carbine and Marksman Rifle.
Tony was a member of the Girard American Legion No. 235, Veterans of Foreign Wars at Large, and Disabled American Veterans.
Tony demonstrated an outstanding level of service and leadership among officials and young athletes, particularly those of the Howland Athletic Club. He practiced soccer, baseball and softball.
He served as the former Howland Athletic Club trustee and league director and as the football liaison partner of the Howland Booster Club trustee. Tony was a passionate public official and had the credentials to back up his calls. He was a Certified Ohio High School Referee, Ohio High School Certified Instructor, USSF Soccer Referee, and Assistant State Director of Instruction for the United States Soccer Federation -Youngstown District, Ohio North. Tony joined the Mahoning Valley Soccer Officials and became President of the High School Soccer Division – Executive Member.
He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Browns, Ohio State Athletics, Notre Dame Football, Howland Boys Soccer, UConn Women’s Basketball, and most importantly, the US Women’s National Soccer Team. Not to mention that he was the biggest fan of all the teams his granddaughters played on.
He loved to travel, especially to the western US states. He has traveled to 44 of 50 US states and stated that his ultimate trip would be visiting national parks. He loved spending time with his granddaughters and seeing what they achieved. Tony worked on his house and in his garden. He was a great cook and enjoyed tweaking recipes to suit his taste.
Tony leaves behind his son Michael (Erin) Kolonich of Copley and daughter Barbara (Peter) Fontaine of Enfield, Connecticut; two great granddaughters, Jessica Fontaine, DPT and Abigail Kolonich; Siblings, Pauline (Richard) Paul, Gloria (John) Bragg, and Ronald (Cathy) Kolonich; and many nieces and nephews.
Anthony A. Kolonich preceded his parents and loving wife Gloria E. Kolonich in death, who left in April 2018.
A Christian funeral mass will be held at the Blessed Sacrament Roman Catholic Church, 3020 Reeves Road NE, Warren, Ohio 44483 on Thursday, July 1, 2021 at 12:15 p.m. Friends and family can call the Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, 962 North Road NE, Warren, OH 44483 an hour before the show, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Instead of flowers, the family is asking for commemorative donations to the American Legion www.legion.org/donate or the Disabled American Veterans www.dav.org/ways-to-give/.
The arrangements have been entrusted to the Staton-Borowski Funeral Home, 962 North Road NE, Warren, OH 44483, 330-394-6200. Dedicated to serving loved ones. This obituary is available for review and condolences sent to www.statonborowskifuneral home.com.
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