May 17, 1942 – June 26, 2021 (age 79)
WARREN – Anthony A. “Tony” Kolonich, 79, entered eternal life on Saturday June 26th at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
He was born on May 17, 1942 in Warren to Andrew M. Kolonich and Anna M. Bosnak Kolonich.
He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School, born in 1960.
He worked as an auto 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 holds an Associate and Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University.
In 1961 he joined the US Army.
Tony served as Sergeant Team Chief, 2nd Missile Battalion in Korea during the postwar period. He was the 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, Expert Carbine and Marksman Rifle.
Tony was a member of Girard American Legion # 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 trustee and league director of the Howland Athletic Club and as the football liaison for 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 Deputy 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 Executive Member of the High School Soccer Division.
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 U.S. women’s national soccer team.
He was the biggest fan of all the teams his granddaughters played on.
He loved to travel, especially to the western states. He has traveled to 44 out of 50 states and said 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; a daughter, Barbara (Peter) Fontaine of Enfield, Connecticut; Granddaughters Jessica Fontaine and Abigail Kolonich; Siblings Pauline (Richard) Paul, Gloria (John) Bragg and Ronald (Cathy) Kolonich; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded by his parents and his loving wife Gloria E. Kolonich, who left in April 2018.
A Christian funeral mass was held on Thursday (July 1st) at the Roman Catholic Church of the Blessed Sacrament, 3020 Reeves Road NE. The Staton-Borowski funeral home took care of the arrangements.
Instead of flowers, the family is soliciting donations to the American Legion at www.legion.org/donate or the Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org/ways-to-give/.
Expressions of condolences can be sent to www.statonborowskifuneralhome.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anthony A. Kolonich, visit our flower shop.
Comments are closed.