Anthony (Tony) Firavich
Services for Anthony James (Tony ) Firavich, 92, of Ada will be scheduled at a later time.
Mr. Firavich passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, March 1, 2016 at his home. He was born January 15, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan to Stanley G. and Agnes "Mometa" Zitkus Firavich. He graduated from Wilbur Wright High School, Detroit in 1941. He came to this area to attend flight training school at East Central State College from 1943 to 1944.
While at East Central, he met and married Marcheta Kyser of Ada.
He served in the U. S. Army Black Hawks 86th Infantry Division. He was Staff Sergeant and leader of Company K of the 343rd Infantry Division. He was a decorated War Hero, receiving many medals and accomendations including three Bronze Stars for his valor and heroism. He served in Germany as well as the Pacific Theatres of Japan and the Phillipine Islands.
Staff Sergeant Firavich's numerous acts of valor are documented in the two following books: "Black Hawks Over the Danube", the history of the 86th Infantry Division in World War II by Richard A. Briggs., and also "The Colonels Combat Team 343 in WWII", by Colonel Carl G. Bloomquist. Both books are located in the historical archives of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University.
After the war, Tony completed Apprenticeship and Advanced Engineering through Fisher Body and Ternstedt's Divisions of General Motors. He was the founder of Pentagon Die and Manufacturing Inc. located in metropolitan Detroit. He was a member of the Engineering Society of Detroit, the Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, and the National Tool and Die and Precision Machining Association. He retired in 1989 and he and his wife returned to Ada.
Tony was an accomplished and avid golfer. He was a member of Oak Hills Golf and Country Club in Ada and in 1993, he was the Low-Net Club Champion. He was formerly a member of the Washtenaw Country Club in Ypsilanti, MI.
Additionally, he was an accomplished and avid pool player. He was a member of the Ada Elks Lodge #1640 and played pool up to the age of 90.
For many years, Tony was a Little League baseball coach, an official sponsor of the Westland, MI Youth Athletic Association, as well as a youth ice hockey coach. Tony was affiliated with the Congregational faith.
Survivors include his wife, Marcheta Firavich, of the home; his children, Marcheta of Glennie, MI, Gina of Ada, and David of Hartland, MI; his grandchildren, Anthony Edward, Lisa-Anne Hartline, James Anthony, Lauren Elizabeth, Adam Keegan, Julia Ann, Tracey Ann and David Anthony; his great-grandchildren, Jaeden Lee, Haley May, Elena Kay, Isabella, Sheldon and Juston.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two children, Lisa, at the tender age of 14 and his eldest son, Anthony B.; a brother, Stanley; and sisters, Stella and Anna.
Obituaries may be viewed and online condolences sent to criswellfh.com.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada