Tony Kolinski, 88, of Manlius, NY, passed away on Wednesday,  February 22.  He was born March 11, 1934 in  Milwaukee, WI. He was Jesuit educated at Marquette High school and Marquette University.  He was a communicant at Immaculate Conception Church, Fayetteville, NY.

     Tony started his working career at Warner Brothers Pictures regional office in Milwaukee and was subsequently promoted to branch manager in Buffalo, NY.   At 26 years old he was at that time the youngest person to hold that position in the company. He left Warner Brothers in 1965 to join Carrols Corporation in Syracuse, NY, attaining the position of Executive VP.

     After leaving Carrols in 1970, he formed several partnerships that operated Burger King and TJ’S Big Boy restaurants in New York State and indoor and outdoor theaters in NY, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. He finished his career by giving his time and talents to New York State for 15 years, working as an economic development specialist in the Syracuse Regional office of Empire State Development, retiring in 2010.

     In 1966 Tony was elected Chief Barker (President) of the Variety Club of Buffalo, an International Show Biz Club specializing in funding children’s charities. He accepted the International Heart Award for the Buffalo Chapter in London, England that year for their support of the Children’s Hospital in Buffalo; he even received congratulations from Prince Phillip who was present at the awards dinner.

     Tony loved the woods, where he spent time with family and friends at the family camp.  Hunting deer was his passion. He was also successful on moose and elk.  He was an avid golfer and a member of the Cavalry Club for over 55 years. He and his best friend, Jim Ganotis, won the Cavalry 3-Day Member Guest three times.  He was also a member of the Vagabond Golf group for 40 years.

     Tony was a season ticket holder for both SU football and basketball, going as far back as Archibald Stadium and Manley Field House days. He was a big fan of the Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers and the NY Yankees.

     Tony was a man who chose to live life fully with his family and friends.  Whether it was a golf outing, local cultural festivals, taking in some Irish music or dancing a polka; playing cards, telling jokes, building tree stands or writing his Polish Ponderosa newsletter, Tony embraced life and said “yes” to what life offered.  His positive presence was contagious; Tony was always ready to engage in conversation, caring more about how you were doing or sharing his latest joke.

     One of his favorite sayings was, “If you keep putting off till tomorrow what you can do today, you end up with a lot of empty yesterdays”.

     He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dorothy Kolinski; his children, Monica (Manuel Cardoso), Michael Kolinski, Marguerite “Margie” Kolinski, Tori Kolinski, Mark (Ann Wilsch) Kolinski, Joseph “Joe” (Nancy Noll) Kolinski; grandchildren, Susanna Speed, Paul Carsoso, Nicole Kolinski, Stacy Kolinski, Laura Cardoso, Daniel Kolinski and Katie Kolinski; great-grandchildren, Carlton and Charles Abbott, Emerson Speed, Faith Reathaford and Kaiya Kolinski, Alex Dance, and Ari Berger; and his sister, Theresa Wegryn of Akron, Ohio.

     Calling hours will be from 9-11 am on Tuesday, Feb. 28 at Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs St, Fayetteville.  A funeral Mass will follow at 11 am.

     In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave.  Syracuse, NY  13208 or francishouseny.org