6-Apr-1928 - 11-Jun-2024
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our dear father Anton [Tony] "Opi" on June 11, 2024, peacefully surrounded by family. He can now be reunited with his dear Anne. He was also predeceased by his brother Josef and daughter-in-law Janine. He will be missed by his children Ed (Donna) and Caroline (Shannon); his four grandchildren Brandon, Christine (Jordan) Stephanie (Anthony) Nicholas (Robyn); his two great grandchildren Jackson and Tanner; his sister Anna; his nieces, nephews and many friends and relatives here and abroad.
Born in Zsámbék, Hungary on April 6, 1928 to Anton and Elizabeth (predeceased), he lived and worked on the family farm. He was a skilled gymnast as a member of the local gymnastics team. In the same town only a couple streets over, he met his future bride Anne. Both families had to leave Hungary after the war and settled in Germany. There he began his apprenticeship as a tailor. In April of 1953, he married his sweet Anne in a double wedding with her twin sister Kati and Simon. It was in July of that year they left to start a new life in Canada. An adventurous honeymoon that never ended.
Settling first in Toronto with his siblings and best friends, he found work in a tailor shop. And we can't forget the 6 weeks harvest in the early years in the tobacco fields of southern Ontario. Those summers were hot, but he and Anne were never strangers to hard work. Tony remained well acquainted with the heat. After a few years in the tailor business, he worked for a landscaping company and in 1957, he started his own business with his good friend and partner Martin Kovacs. Remaining friends they went their separate ways in 1965. The company is still running today. He was a tireless hard working man with a strong work ethic that he instilled in his 2 children who followed in his footsteps to carry on the business.
He and Anne enjoyed some travel as a young couple visiting places such as France, Italy and even Hawaii. He also enjoyed many visits to see their relatives at home in Germany over the years. Early on, he enjoyed hunting up north with family and friends for moose, deer and duck which led them to purchase a property on Severn River in the early 60’s where they built the family cottage. Built alongside his siblings’ cottages, it became a place of many happy memories with his children, siblings, nephews, nieces and grandchildren.
Two more moves brought him and Anne to their home in Newmarket. There they enjoyed the wildlife surrounding the pond and enjoyed hosting barbecues for family and friends. He spent countless weekends hosting his grandchildren spending time with them outdoors in the surrounding fields and woods. The family enjoyed winter skating on the frozen pond. He always had a beautiful garden full of bright flowers. He and Anne loved their veggie garden and the fresh eggs laid by their chickens. He regularly helped prepare meals with Anne and they were known for the delicious German and Hungarian dishes they served at holidays, special events or even just Saturday night dinner.
In his retirement, he and Anne loved spending time at the cottage and there never seemed to be a weekend where he and Anne didn't come out of the bush with a bag of mushrooms. Throughout his life, he had a playfulness that was well known to his family and friends - especially Anne. They would horse around on a daily basis inspiring chuckles and smiles from anyone that had the pleasure of witnessing their love in action. He remained playful in unexpected moments until his very last days - a testament to his strength despite the challenges that come with aging into one’s nineties. It was a life well lived. We would like to thank the staff at Southlake for their care and compassion and to the staff and people of Amica where he spent the last 9 years. Cremation has taken place, Please join us in a Celebration of Life Friday, June 21 from 3-7pm at Taylor Funeral Home in Newmarket on Davis Dr.