Obituary of Anthony 'Tony' Frank Ondrovcik

A resident of Chatham, Anthony ‘Tony’ Frank Ondrovcik died, Thursday, August 10, 2006 at the Chatham Kent Health Alliance at the age of 83. Born in Czechoslovakia to the late John & Marie (Lipa) Ondrovcik. Beloved husband of Marie (Burk) Ondrovcik for 65 years. Loving father to Jim & Anne Ondrovcik of Morpeth, Dave & Margaret Ondrovcik of Ridgetown, Joyce & Ray Reissner of Chatham, Nancy & Terry Greaves of Ridgetown, Wendy & Gary Moran of Chatham, Mike Ondrovcik & Dave Butler of Chatham, Tim & Colleen Ondrovcik of Chatham, and Robert Laidlaw of Chatham. Tony will be missed by grandchildren Cheryl, Brad, Holly, Tony, Kate, Dan, Tanya, Shaelynne, Bryce, Rick, Dennis, Rae Anne, Jeff, Stephanie, Sarah, and Ashley, and great grandchildren Natasha, Charlie, Hayden, Owen, Joshua, Kevin, Jillian, Kiara, Pippa, Sophie, Jarrod, Caleb, and Geneviéve. He is also survived by sister Marie Bellman of Walkerton. Many cousins, nieces & nephews also survive. Tony enlisted in the Canadian Army in 1942 and served in Canada, England and Northwest Europe in the 1st Hussars of London Armoured Division as a Sherman Tank operator and was discharged in 1946. He was a member of the Branch 28 Legion Executive Committee (1961-1999), the Service Bureau office (1997) served as 3rd, 2nd, & 1st Vice President (1973-1975), past President (1975-1977), Zone A3 Chairman (1974-1985), District A Vice Chairman (1987-1989) and Chairman (1988-2000) and By-Laws Chairman (1989-1991), Chairman of the Westminster Variety Show Branch 28 & Zone A3, Past Presidents Committee (1975-2006), Committee of Adjustments for the City of Chatham Chairman for close to 20 years, Branch 28 Pubcrawlers for over 20 years entertaining veteran groups, seniors, nursing home & community events. As a Life Member of Branch 28 Tony received the Palm Leaf (highest award), Branch President medal, Past Officers medal, Zone Past Officers medal- Chairman Bar, District Past Officers medal- Vice Chairman & Chairman Bars, Certificates of Merit (Br, 28 & District A) for services rendered, and the Diamond Jubilee 50th, 60th & 75th Anniversary Medal. He was a founding member of the formation of the Legion Memorial Gardens and acted as Chairman until 2006. He was employed as a Tool & Die Maker & Management from 1939 to his retirement from Superior Machine & Tool in 1986. Tony was also an Elder at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Family will receive friends at the Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair St., on Sunday from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. & 7:00-9:00 p.m. and Monday from 2:00-4:00 p.m. & 7:00 -9:00 p.m. with a Legion Service at 7:00 p.m. on Monday. Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 15, 2006 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Joseph Nevett officiating. Cremation with interment to follow. Donations made by cheque to the Legion Memorial Gardens, Chatham Kent Crime Stoppers, O.S.P.C.A., or charity of one’s choice are welcomed.