Victor Anthony

1945 - 2025

ANTHONY, Victor

Victor Michael Anthony, age 79, of Atlanta, passed March 16, 2025, due to complications from Progressive Parkinson's Disease in Buford, Georgia.

Mike was born on April 23, 1945 in DeFuniak Springs, Florida. He was the first son of John Horace Anthony and Mildred Stidham Anthony, and was born while his father was stationed there during WWII. The family returned to Horace's native Rome, Georgia, and that is where Mike grew up. He graduated from East Rome High School in 1963. Since childhood, Mike was a natural extrovert, always attracting people with his engaging character and inquisitive nature. At East Rome, he was voted by his high school classmates as Best All Around. After high school, he earned a business degree from his beloved University of Georgia in 1967. During his time at UGA, Mike was a member of the ROTC, and subsequently served in the U.S. Army as a First Lieutenant in South Korea, where he had top secret clearance. After leaving the army Mike began a family and a career in business, concentrating in sales and later in financial planning.

Mike was a member of Our Lady of Assumption Catholic Church in Atlanta for over twenty years. He was actively involved with Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Wounded Warrior Project, and Hope/Action Ministries of Atlanta.

Mike had two great passions in life – his grandchildren and UGA. His most treasured memories were attending his five grandchildren's various fine arts, academic, and athletic events. He also traveled all over the state of Georgia following his son Drew's high school coaching career for thirty years. Mike's idea of paradise was a crisp, sunny afternoon spent at Sanford Stadium watching the Bulldogs chalk up another victory. He held football season tickets for over 40 years and baseball season tickets for over 15 years. He also enjoyed attending other UGA sporting events like softball and basketball. One of the highlights of his Bulldog fandom was attending the UGA game at Notre Dame in 2017. He truly bled red and



black. His devotion to the Bulldogs earned him many treasured friends along the way. He was part of a tailgating group that met every game day Saturday in Athens for 30 years. He was also part of a cherished Monday Lunch Group of UGA supporters in Atlanta known as the "Lunch Bunch."

Mike was very proud of his Italian heritage. His paternal grandparents immigrated to the US in 1900 as young adults to chase the American Dream. His grandfather, Vittorio Annaratone (Americanized to Victor Anthony courtesy of Ellis Island) and grandmother, Concetta Cuomo Annaratone eventually settled in Rome, Georgia. They were proud US citizens and raised their two children to love both the US and Italy. They established themselves in the community, owning a successful business built from the ground up. Mike's father, Horace, joined the Air Force on December 8, 1941, the day after Pearl Harbor, making his parents proud and establishing a tradition of service to their new country.

Mike was preceded in death by his infant son, Robert Michael; parents; grandparents; and his beloved aunt, Mary Kelly. He is survived by his sons, Stephen Thomas Anthony (Erin), John Drew Anthony (Lyndi); brother, Stephen Clay Anthony (Cathy); his five grandchildren, Thomas, Kate, J.T., Abi, and Nate); and his nephews, Matt (Meredith) and Clay Anthony.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on May 10 at the John Horace Anthony Rec Center, Garden Lakes NW Blv. Rome, GA, 30165. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation at www.michaelfox.org/donate/make-donation-tribute.