Anthony J. Tony Mass

Anthony J. “Tony” Mass, age 90, formerly of Walbridge, passed away at Bay Park Hospital on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren. Tony was born in Walbridge to James and Amelia (Massari) Mass on October 13, 1927. He married Ann (Massa) Mass on July 23, 1949 at Holy Rosary Parish, Toledo. Tony was a veteran of the U.S. Army during WWII having served at the Nuremberg Trials and worked as a Yard Engineer for the C & O Railroad for over 47 years. He was a member of St. Jerome Catholic Church since 1962, the Knights of Columbus (3rd Degree Knight), loved to hunt and fish, vacationed in Upper Michigan and was a Youth Baseball coach for the Walbridge Cubs for over 33 years and won the City Championship 3 years. He also enjoyed volunteering for many St. Jerome festivals and on April 23, 1998 Railway Park II in Walbridge was dedicated in his honor as the “Tony Mass Field”. He was also honored at a 2014 Vintage Baseball 100 Year celebration. Tony was presented with an honorary high school diploma from Lake High School in 2003, graduating with his grandson, James Mass. He was an avid OSU and Detroit Tiger fan and was ever present at all family functions, always giving special attention to his family’s wishes. Left to cherish his memory are his children, Patricia (Aaron) Endicott, Anthony (Elizabeth) Mass, and James (Pamela) Mass; twelve grandchildren; and seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Ann; siblings, Nello, Patrick, Ennio, and Louis Tudico, Lydia Drake, and Agnes Harris. Friends will be received on Friday, February 16, 2018 from 2:00-8:00 p.m. at the Witzler-Shank Funeral Home, 701 N. Main St. Walbridge, (419-666-3121) with a Knights of Columbus service beginning at 7:30 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 300 Warner St. Walbridge with Father Eric Schild, officiating. Burial will follow at Lake Township Cemetery, Millbury. Memorials may be made to St. Jerome Church, Otterbein Portage Valley, or the Lake Baseball Association. Tony’s family would like to thank the staff at Otterbein Portage Valley for all of their care and kindness shown to him.