Tony Delia

Antomino "Tony" Delia, age 88, of Onaway, formerly of Roseville, died at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey on March 6, 2024. The son of Gesue "Joseph" and Maria (Mirasala) Delia, Tony was born in Detroit on August 13, 1935. A veteran of the United States Army, Tony served honorably during the Korean War and was a lifetime member of VFW 1146 Bruce Post in St. Clair Shores.
A lifelong resident of Detroit and suburban Detroit, Tony moved to Onaway in 2021 to be nearer to his daughter and her family who he was very close with. For 62 years, Tony worked as a barber, so it is no wonder that his daughter followed in his footsteps, learned the trade, and went to Barber School. For more than thirty years Tony owned Anthony's Barber Shop in Clinton Township where he employed his daughter to work by his side. As things in life often come full circle, Dorothy opened her own business, The Barber Shop, where Tony went to work after selling Anthony's Barber Shop.
Tony was one of those people who was good at everything. When he tried doing something new, he always made it look easy. He was an excellent golfer on pace for the PGA Senior Tour a few years back, but a bout with cancer eliminated his chances for competing. Golfers try their entire careers to shoot a hole in one, some without success, but Tony shot his hole in one in 1988 at the Indian River Golf Club. Not only was Tony a fantastic golfer, but he was incredibly good at bowling as well. He bowled with all the elite bowlers in the best leagues in greater Detroit. Despite being a Detroiter his entire life, Tony was a fan of the Dallas Cowboys. Being very handy and a skilled woodworker, Tony could fix or build just about anything. As a younger man, he enjoyed deer hunting, but in recent years his enjoyment came from seeing his grandsons bag their bucks.
Tony was proud and patriotic but also deeply connected to his Sicilian heritage. He was talented, hardworking, and generous. He had a tender heart, especially for his daughter. Tony loved spoiling her and teased her endlessly. He was set in his ways and at times was quite stubborn. He was funny with a wonderful sense of humor. Well-loved, he was the favorite uncle, an awesome grandpa, and a great grandpa who always had popsicles in the freezer for the great grandsons when they came to visit.
He will be sadly missed by his daughter, Dorothy Kammerer, of Black Lake; grandsons, Jason (MacKenzie) Kammerer of Millersburg, Alex (Jenna) Kammerer of Eastpointe, and Charlie Kammerer of Black Lake; great grandsons, Gavin and Colt Lane, as well as great grandson, Alexander, due to be born on March 19. Tony also leaves his sisters, Theresa Miller and Margie Bird; brother, Vince (Naomi) Delia of Rochester; and many nieces and nephews.
Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Maria Delia; brothers, Gasper, Philip, and Joe; sister, Grace Franklin; son-in-law, Charlie Kammerer; and friend, Andy Shaloy.
It was Tony's wish that there be no services following his death. He will be honored by his family privately. His family suggests memorial gifts in support of the Onaway Ambulance Equipment Fund.