Memorial

Anthony G. “Tony” Komisar, Sr., age 78, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa passed away on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 following an extended illness.

Tony was born in Beacon, New York to Joseph and Barbara Komisar.  When he graduated from Beacon High School, he served in the Army, stationed in Germany until his discharge.  In 1998, Tony was inducted into the Beacon High School Athlete Hall of Fame.

Tony excelled in both basketball and baseball while in school.  After graduating Beacon High School, Tony signed a contract to play professional baseball with the Milwaukee Braves.  Tony played six seasons in the Milwaukee Braves minor league organization.

Tony also played for the Lafayette Chiefs in 1955; Leesburg Braves in 1956; Corpus Christi Clippers in 1957; and the Salinas Packers in 1957 and 1958.  Tony then served in the Army from 1959-1960.  In 1961, Tony resumed playing minor league baseball in Cedar Rapids, Iowa for the Cedar Rapids Braves from 1961-1962.  Tony’s nickname at the Cedar Rapids ballpark was “Club House” because Tony was always the first player to arrive before the game!

Tony met Anna Mae Walton while he was playing baseball for the Braves.  They married September 10, 1962 in Cedar Rapids.  They moved to Beacon, New York for six years.  Tony was a volunteer firefighter in Fishkill, New York and a Parts Manager for GM at a car dealership in Beacon, then Poughkeepsie, New York.  With their three children, they moved back to Cedar Rapids.  The day of their return, Tony was hired by McGrath Pontiac as Parts Manager, where he worked until he retired after 36 years.

Tony was very active in playing softball with many teams: Mr. Bubbles Paradise Tavern, Frank’s Tavern, and A’Hearn Plumbing.  Tony was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 1982.  He also enjoyed fishing with family and playing cards with friends.

Tony was preceded in death by his mother, Barbara, and his father, Joseph; sisters Clara, Helen, and Bertha; brothers John, Joseph, and Bill; and an infant brother, all of Beacon, New York.

Survivors include Tony’s wife, Anna Mae; son Tony (Mary) Komisar, Jr.; daughters Kathleen (Kevin) Crist and Lisa Komisar.  His five granddaughters: Jennifer (Hunter) Holeman; Jessica Komisar; MacKenzie Crist; Madeline Crist; and Brianna Shell.  Also surviving are his sisters-in-law Marcella Bruns and Jean Elliott of Cedar Rapids.  Also his beloved white rag-doll cat Bently with blue eyes; (“He’s something else”) kept him entertained for years!

Visitation will take place from 11:00 until 1:00 PM Saturday, December 20, 2014 at the Cedar Memorial Park Chapel of Memories, followed by a funeral service in the chapel at 1:00 PM.  Entombment with military honors to take place at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery.