Anthony B. Forestieri

Anthony B. Forestieri, 93 of Coloma passed away on Monday, March 24 at Royalton Manor in St. Joseph.
A memorial service in Tony's memory will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma, with visitation beginning one hour prior to the service. A private family luncheon will be held at the VFW in Watervliet immediately following the service. The family is planning a private burial of ashes on Tony's birthday at Maple Hill Cemetery in Hartford. Those wishing to leave an online message for the family may do so at www.duffieldpastrick.com.
Tony was born on May 19, 1931 to Maxine and Samuel Forestieri. He had a younger brother Vince who preceded him in death. They spent their childhood years between the townships of Millburg, Hartford and South Haven during the great depression. It was these lean years that taught Tony the value of a dollar and instilled in him a great work ethic. His pre-teens and teenage years were devoted to farm work and getting in to the types of situations that a lot of young men get into, TROUBLE. After a short stint in a boy's reform school, he came back to South Haven where he always said that he was saved by the Tragna Family. Tony spoke fondly of the opportunities that they gave him and the life lessons that they taught him. He would tell many stories of the Tragna brothers and how they helped him to become the hard working young man that he would continue to be for the rest of his life. After his first job, Tony then went to work at Stones Meat Market as a butcher and delivery man and later worked part time as a mortician at Calvins Funeral Home holding down two jobs at once. He also managed to volunteer in the National Guard and served his country with honor. While working for the Tragna's, Tony met the love of his life Vivian Ridley and they soon married on October 11, 1952 and began their lives together. They were soon joined by their first born son, Vince in 1953. Then their daughter, Tesi in 1955 and finally their youngest, Phil in 1960. In 1963, Tony and Vivian decided to strike out on their own and bought the A&W in Coloma. They raised their kids and spent the rest of their lives in Coloma. Some years were spent working at Calvin's in the winter and running the restaurant in the summer. With the help of many young people in the Coloma area, they built a successful business and introduced many of those youngsters to their first jobs. This was something he treasured and reminisced about for the rest of his life. Tony tried to retire at one point but he was told to go and get another job by Vivian because he was driving her "nuts". That was when he went to work at Hilltop grocery store, now Harding's, working with the customers and helping to manage the store. While there, he was able to introduce a whole new generation of youngsters to their first jobs and became even more well known throughout the community. Tony enjoyed rubbing elbows with all of the people he knew and always had a corny joke to tell while working. Tony was well respected and much loved by former employees and many, many friends alike.
Tony was preceded in death by his wife Vivian in 2009 and his son Phil in 2022. Tony is survived by his son Vince (Joanie), his daughter Tesi (Kevin), daughter in law Barb, six grandchildren, Rhianna, Heidi (Steve), Nick (Amanda), Gina, Anthony (Darby) and Kati (Matthew). He also has 11 great grandchildren. He cherished his family and attended every sporting event and activity that he could.