Tribute

It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved father, partner, friend, counsellor and teacher Toni.

Despite the heroic efforts of Powell River EMS and hospital staff, Toni died of a massive heart attack in the wee hours of the day, leaving a shocked and grieving family, and a vast network of Brooks Secondary School colleagues and students at School District 47.

He was born and raised in Manchester England, the youngest of four brothers. Toni was predeceased by his father Jan, his mother Kitty and his oldest brother Paul. He is survived by his brothers Stan and Steve (Margaret) and his many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his three children Katie, Hillary and Jordan whom he loved dearly, Sherry (Daren) and their son Chase whom Toni loved to spend time with, and his long-time love and partner Anna Marie Maguire and her two children Sean and Josie.

Toni immigrated to Canada in 1983 to take a teaching job in Grand Cache, Alberta, later moving to Vancouver to pursue his master’s degree at University of BC. He relocated to Powell River in 1988 where he joined the team at School District 47 to start his career as a counsellor.

Powell River quickly became home to Toni, where he met and married Sherry Hill in 1988 and had their three children. Toni had tremendous pride and admiration for his kids and lived his life with them in mind every day.

{C}Toni was a huge part of this community. His involvement with the youth of Powell River has had a huge impact on many people’s lives over the past 27 years. His door was always open for anyone who needed to talk and he was always there to listen, day or night.

Toni was highly involved with Powell River Youth Soccer Association. Over the years he was a coach, division manager, referee, and pioneer for starting the mini girls’ soccer league in Powell River. In his spare time Toni was an avid hiker, kayaker, golfer and outdoors enthusiast and was always looking for a new adventure. His most recent accomplishment, that he was very proud of, was his hole in one on the 4th hole at Myrtle Point Golf Course.

Although Toni is gone, the impact he made on this community and his love will not be forgotten. He has left us to join Matt Busby, where he will be overseeing Manchester United’s anticipated rise to the Premier League Championship and on… GO MAN U!!

A Catholic mass at Church of the Assumption will be held Friday, April 24 at 2:30 pm, followed by a celebration of life at Brooks in Max Cameron theatre at 4:30 pm. In lieu of flowers the family has decided to set up a Toni Marciniak Scholarship fund; donations can be made at Brooks.