Anthony Unholzer was doing what he loved when he was killed in an ATV accident Tuesday afternoon: working the land.
The 67-year-old farmer and agricultural leader was spraying weeds on his Woodslee dairy farm when the accident occurred.
“It’s a sad tragedy,” his younger brother Marty Unholzer said Wednesday. “But he was a lover of the land and he was doing what he loved at the time of his passing.”
The Unholzers were a family of 11 children whose father died young in 1973. Anthony stepped up then when he was in his mid-20s.
“He was the one who picked up the pieces,” Marty recalled about the big brother he called strong-minded and not afraid to express his opinion. “He took over the father role for us younger siblings.”
Anthony stepped up again later in life when he assumed a leadership role for a generation of farmers. He was a past president of Gencor, the Essex County Milk Committee and the Holstein Club, He won a conservation award from the Essex Region Conservation Authority, and in 2010 he was inducted into the Essex County Agricultural Hall of Fame.
“He was a mentor to a lot of young farmers,” said his longtime friend and fellow dairy farmer Roger Wright. “Tony loved the dairy industry. It was in his heart.”
Anthony is survived by his wife Julie, his daughter Lisa, his son David, his son Jamie and seven grandchildren.
Visitation is at Kennedy Funeral Home, 128 Talbot St. N. in Essex, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, and from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday. Friends are welcome at 9:30 a.m. Saturday at Holy Name of Jesus Church at 146 Talbot St. S. in Essex, with a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. Burial is to follow at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery in Woodslee
Obituary for Mr. Anthony “Tony” Unholzer
Passed away unexpectedly at home on September 10, 2013 at 67 years of age. Beloved husband of Julie (nee Plante) with whom he celebrated 24 years of marriage and the late Beth (nee Andrews-1986). Treasured and loving father of Lisa Unholzer, David & wife Julie Unholzer and Jamie & Paula Renaud. Dear papa of Mitchell, Brandon, Devin, Grace, Ethan, Erika, and Ember. Son of the late Martin & Annie Unholzer. Loved brother of Joe (Nancy), Willy (Beverly), Raymond (MaryAnn), Michael (Debbie), Mary Jane Prantera (Joe), Marty (Janet), Theresa Gates (Late-George), Larry (Jeannine), and the late Jim & John (Margaret). Also survived by many nieces and nephews. Tony was a longtime dairy farmer in Essex County. Past president of Gencor, Essex County Milk Committee, Holstein Club, Director with ECFA. He was also a member of the Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Essex as well as the Knights of Columbus # 3305 Essex. Tony was an active volunteer with the St. Vincent de Paul and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Tony is resting at the Kennedy Funeral Home Ltd. (519-776-7378) 128 Talbot St. North Essex, on Thursday from 7-9 p.m. and Friday from 2-5 and 7-9 p.m. K of C # 3305 Prayers Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Parish and St. Vincent de Paul Prayers Friday at 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, friends are invited to meet the family after 9:30 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church (146 Talbot St. S, Essex) followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at St. John the Evangelist Cemetery, Woodslee. Donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation & Windsor Regional Cancer Centre Foundation. You may send your condolences on Tony’s Life Tribute Wall at www.kennedyfh.com. F.I.P. Papa