George Anthony “Tony” Thias
Age 86, of Lansing , MI, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on January 12, 2017. Tony was born on June 12, 1930, to Hungarian immigrants, Henry and Barbara (Toth) Thias, in a simple farmhouse off the shore of Lake Michigan. He was able to keep the turn-of-the-century home where he enjoyed having his family and friends around him. Tony was a modest man yet dedicated to providing the very best for his family.
He was an active member of St. Mary Cathedral and graduated from Michigan State University, where he met his wife of 62 years. He was co-president with his wife, Bobbie, of the MSU Take-Down Club, was an avid MSU sports fan and enjoyed traveling.
Tony had a lifelong career in insurance beginning in 1958, with the Mourer-Foster Insurance Agency in Lansing. In 1977, he formed Thias Insurance Agency. In 1981, he was a founding member of America One in Lansing and America One, Inc. He was a member of the Lansing Insurance Agency Association, Michigan Insurance Agency Association, Optimist Club of Lansing, and the Knights of Columbus.
Tony was a self-taught trumpet and piano player and attended the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for many years. He was in the Senior Class Band where he routinely played for retirement homes. He was also a member of the Kiwanis Band.
He had a lifelong passion for nature, especially his birds, and world history. Tony was one of the most self-educated and self-read individuals around. He could converse with anyone he met about any topic from anywhere in the world.
Tony loved meeting new people. His well-known opening question to someone he was meeting for the first time was always, “So, where are you from?”
Surviving are his 6 children, Thomas J. Thias, Margaret A. “Peggy” Thias-Kronner, John A. (Julie) Thias, Peter G. Thias, Maureen A. (Greg) Walton, and James P. (Nadia) Thias; 7 grandchildren, Brian Benet, Elizabeth, Anna and Maria Kronner, Marisa and Eric Thias, and Sarah Walton; nieces, nephews, and several great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Barbara; an infant daughter Barbara Catherine Thias; and daughter, Patricia Ann Benet.
The Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, January 20, 2017, at St. Mary Cathedral, Lansing, with the Rev. Msgr. George Michalek as Celebrant. The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Thursday, where the Rosary will be prayed at 7:15 p.m. The Rite of Interment will be at the Gibson Cemetery, Laketown Township, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Sparrow Hospice, c/o Sparrow Foundation.
5 Messages to “George Anthony “Tony” Thias”
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Joe Dionise
January 16, 2017 at 7:45 amTo the Thias family, it was nice to see your parents at noon Mass over the years at St. Mary’s Cathedral they will be missed. My condolences at this difficult time. God Bless
Jane Fabiano-Turner
January 16, 2017 at 8:12 amPeggy and family,
So sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad. May your wonderful memories sustain you at this difficult time. My prayers are with you!
Jane Fabianoturner
Tom and Celeste Spencer
January 16, 2017 at 9:58 amOur thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of loss. Tony was one of the world’s truly nice guys. It was an honor to work for him and with him over my years at America One. I’ll remember him especially for his love of playing in the band. He’d always send me a ticket to watch them at the Kiwanis Chicken BBQ. The pure joy on his face as he played was enough to light up the park. He’ll be sorely missed here by his family and many friends, but the Lord’s band just got a terrific new first chair trumpet player. Farewell, my good friend.
Sue Tomlinson
January 16, 2017 at 10:43 pmYour parents were our neighbors for over 45 years. My husband, Alan, and Tony shared many conversations in our back yard. They shared careers in insurance and many other interests and Al always enjoyed those opportunities to chat with Tony. He was a great neighbor. I so appreciated that your parents attended Al’s memorial service in October of 2014. I will not be able to attend the Funeral Mass on Friday, but please know that my thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Marcia Miller
January 17, 2017 at 2:21 pmSo sorry to hear of Tony’s passing. He was a wonderful guy. I really enjoyed working with him at the David Chapman Agency. I loved his stories and all of the fond memories he shared with me. He used to bring me back blueberries from the farm which I loved. He was a true gentlemen and a real sweetheart. He will be greatly missed. God Bless your family at this time.