Tony Misiaszek
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Celebration of Life
Celebration of Life
Opening Prayer and Welcome
Thank you all for being here - would like to extend some thank you’s before we begin -
The Ackworth’s, JoAnn Kiple, the Red Hat Ladies of the Night in Pueblo and the OG Coffee family - for all the refreshments.
Justin McDonald - the Technical Art Director here at FOR for the looping video, set up and meeting and praying with me as we prepared for this service.
Samantha Vargas - Communications and Front Office Manager for helping me coordinate all the details.
All the ministry partners here at FOR for setting up and tearing down after tonight.
Paula Speegle - while in Hawaii - she formatted and created all the memory boards in lobby for this service as well as the Hawaii service.
Taylor Martin - also in Hawaii - his professionalism and accuracy in capturing my brother in the Eulogy video he created in Hawaii and the memory video you will see towards the end of the service.
The old-fashioned term for our gathering here today is funeral – but for me its of a celebration of
life. Time to celebrate, reflect and remember the life of our loved one that has passed on but the
reminder to celebrate the life we still have to live – to love – to forgive – to cherish – enjoy and not take for granted the time that God has blessed us with.
Faith – Hope – Love
This is how I started the funeral for my grandmother – Baci in January – little did I know that just 9 months later, I would have the honor to eulogize my own brother who just turned 45 two weeks before passing – and who is 2 years younger than me.
“It’s never easy to get through a day like today.” As a pastor one of my most difficult challenges I face is to capture – in a few minutes – the greatness of someone’s life or to even sum up a life that has been lived. This has become even more challenging when it is for someone whom I’ve shared so much of my life with. We weren’t just brothers – we were friends.
Eulogy –
Tony was born, September 12, 1975
Tony was born with a baseball in one hand, a basketball in the other with his feet tickling the ivory of a piano and a paint pallet around his neck – I will explain this more later.
Tony was always lively and full of life and center of attention – making everyone laugh. I always said if sales didn’t work out, he could be a stand-up comedian.
While his life goal was to always be the family dog, his cousin Dawn thought he should be a model for little girls clothing growing up – unfortunately there is no picture evidence that could be found at the time of writing this – but if found at a later date, message me for pricing.
I don’t remember Tony ever having any enemies, but he was not afraid of the fight.
One of my parents’ memories of this was when I was in gymnastics (no picture evidence of this either) and another boy pushed me out of the way and cut in line – Tony only being about two at the time walked up to him, stood on his tip toes, grabbed the boys shirt and said you don’t do that to my brother.
And while walking home from elementary school, some middle schoolers tried starting a fight with me and a friend and Tony stood toe to toe to them. We all hustled to my Baci’s house, not Tony’s choice of course, but he followed my lead.
And while he was not afraid of the fight – Tony was very scared of the dark and heights. Tony would always turn on all the lights on – he would never leave a room and shut the lights off.
I remember playing hide and seek and watching him walk down the hallway – his butt suctioning to the wall he was so close to it.
Right before I got married – I fell off the roof and shattered my arm but we were building a house and the eaves the under part of the roof where the gutters attach had to be painted. Tony was helping – I of course could not be on the ladder so he was. His knees were shaking so hard paint was flying out of the can and he started cussing me out - I told Tony to look down – I was 5 ft away from the ladder – I was not shaking the ladder his knees were. And to get into his attic at one of his old house – just to be on a step stool would shake him like he was in the middle of a LA earthquake.
Normally, the younger brother looks up to his older brother, but I looked up to Tony and spent a lot of my years jealous of the person Tony was.
Tony was an all-star athlete – always varsity – always popular – not me.
Tony was extremely intelligent – could have been a Rhodes Scholar but wanted to have fun in school and not study. Tony would not do any homework and walk into a Geometry without studying and Ace the test – I picked Geometry because after the test I took Tony to lunch when I was home visiting from college and confessed to me he didn’t do anything but yet a few days later when the test was graded, an A.
Tony was artistically talented like our mom – what I would give to have another drawing done by my brother.
Tony was musically talented – he could read sheet music but he could also play by ear. I remember him sitting at the piano in our living room, listening, rewinding the tape, listening and playing Guns and Roses November Rain and Bon Jovi’s Dead or Alive.
Tony could be friends with anyone – he always had a huge group of friends and was never without.
Although he was popular, talented and athletic, he never forgot the values that our parents taught him. Reading through Facebook comments, one reoccurring comment from East High School former students, he was always nice to me. He did not determine who to be nice to by looking at athletic, artistic, musical talent, GPA, or family income – he was just a good person all around.
Remembering our childhood with family – we have been sharing stories of late-night hide and seek over a 6-house area, riding bikes then dirt bikes, going ghost hunting, going with the family to Lathrop in Walsenburg to water ski or the Ackworth’s cabin in Westcliff. You could give Tony a stick, a string, a paper clip and a cooler of drinks and he would be content for a week at the lake and he would have caught and cooked all his meals. We remember riding our bikes around the neighborhood early morning July 5th collecting all the burnt-up fireworks people left. Snowball fights and shoveling driveways, watching him play sports.
On that note I would be amiss if I did not mention that Tony never made it through a game without being injured. He was much like my dad in this aspect to the point that my mom and believe St Mary Corwin’s filing system was A-L, Misiaszek, M-Z. Josh Sparks, trying to not be outdone by Tony, tried but I believe Tony had more injuries.
To watch Tony light fireworks was as hilarious as him telling a story. He would get the big boomers from Cheyenne but when he would lit them he would try and run away but his feet would get tangled and it would look like a mix between a skip, jump and dance move to get away – his laugh always accompanied this awkward retreat.
One story I must share of Tony and his humor is from the swimming pool in our parents back yard. Our son JB was about 18 months and Kanda being a swim instructor made all of our kids count out loud before jumping in. Tony grunted his count and made a face. JB copied him. 1, 2, 3, and a full swim diaper. Tony made his nephew grunt so hard his filled his diaper. His laugh and facial expressions are what I am really going to miss, especially when they came with his story telling which always included exaggerating the truth. While my brother had many honorable traits, truth telling in storytelling was not one of them.
The Red Sox were in the playoffs this year and Tony we could all hear planning on watching Boston take it all – but like boston history they did not! Even though the Broncos were 3-0 – before he passed many of us could practically hear him saying Super Bowl party at his house to see the Broncos win another or to come see them add another ring.
Keller Williams says this –
Tony has been practicing commercial real estate for over 10 years with a specialization in the Hospitality industry. With over $50,000,000 in closed transactions, his out-of-the-box thinking, understanding of the industry, and ability to negotiate win-win deals have set him apart in the industry.
He has vast knowledge in negotiating with both commercial banking to assist in financing as well as with the franchises to get the best possible situation for his clients acquisition.
His creative marketing strategy helps sell his properties quicker and at higher rates. When working on an investment project it is extremely important to have someone represent you in a way to expedite your success as an investor. He is that agent.
I couldn’t have summed up my brother as a real estate agent better. I was always impressed with Tony as a real estate agent. He always used part of his own commission to buy his residential clients a house warming gift – mostly a 55” flat screen TV. He always went above the beyond to be professional and his giving heart and attitude always showed with everyone he encountered. He managed to this with a tramautic brain injury. In 2019 he told me that he had lost 98% of his frontal lobe, which he should not have been as successful as he was. He just never let the accident or the TBI stop him from doing what God called him to do.
You could not encounter Tony and have any type of relationship with him without leaving changed for the best.
Recently he posted on Facebook for my birthday – summing up perfectly us - We are as opposite as oil and water, but just so you know, I strive to follow the lead and example that you set every day! I am blessed to have you as my brother, someone that no matter how shitty I can be, will still stand by me, support me, and love me!
Tony actually owns major shares in my ministry. If he and Jana had not tricked us into going to Fellowship of the Rockies 17 years ago, I would not be a pastor. It is Tony in getting us to go to that church that set me on the path of pastorship and any and all lives that get touched by what God does through my life and ministry, Tony get some credit for those blessings.
My wife Kanda and I agree, what we miss the most, with Tony’s family in Hawaii are the Sunday’s at mom and dad’s and holidays together.
At this time there are a couple of people that were asked to share if they could come up now
Thank you - at this time we would like to direct your attention to the screen for a memorial video produced by Taylor Martin Media, Hilo Hawai’i.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 ~"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.”
Psalm 46:1-3 ~ “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling."
During grief we do not have to walk this path alone. God who knows grief and pain and suffering and even death can comfort and give you strength and peace all you need to do is draw close to him.
Today is so hard, for we come to celebrate a life that seemed to still have so much more to give. A life cut short. People will wonder, Why? And many will ask, “Why would God allow this to happen?”
I will not stand up here and tell you that I know that God has a purpose in Tony’s death. I believe in a God who gave mankind free will to make our own decisions and choices. Because of that we live in a world where things happen and people die every day, needlessly. Somehow we are supposed to make sense of it. We live in an imperfect world in which bad things do happen to good people.
Many times I’ve asked God, “Why?” And many times I’ve said to God, “I don’t understand.” And many times I’ve questioned things that have happened. But through it all we must believe that God is a loving God who deeply cares for us and desires a personal relationship with us.
The secret to real life is to keep our eyes on Jesus. Even through times of suffering and pain, we keep our eyes on Jesus. God never promised us that life would be easy. In fact, life is very difficult. Life is hard, but God is good.
The song THEY WILL KNOW WE ARE CHRISTIAN BY OUR LOVE reminds me of how Tony lived. So, if Tony Miz Misiaszek really meant something to you – leave today committing to coach little league, get involved in your city and projects to make it better, treat others like they were your mom, give without the expectation of being paid back, be honest in all your dealings, make sure your appreciation is known, love on your spouse, kids, and family, forgive those who have wronged you whether on purpose or on accident and remember to laugh and laugh often.
Today, my prayers are with you, Tony’s family. You are my dear, dear friends and I’m asking God’s blessings on you as you go through this time of great sorrow.
There is a poem by Linda Ellis called The Dash that I would like to read -
I read of a man who stood to speak
at the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on the tombstone
from the beginning…to the end.
He noted that first came the date of birth
and spoke the following date with tears,
but he said what mattered most of all
was the dash between those years.
For that dash represents all the time
that they spent alive on earth.
And now only those who loved them
know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own,
the cars…the house…the cash.
What matters is how we live and love
and how we spend our dash.
So, think about this long and hard.
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left
that can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
to consider what’s true and real
and always try to understand
the way other people feel.
And be less quick to anger
and show appreciation more
and love the people in our lives
like we’ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect
and more often wear a smile,
remembering that this special dash
might only last a little while.
So, when your eulogy is being read,
with your life’s actions to rehash…
would you be proud of the things they say
about how you spent YOUR dash?
James 4:14 says “yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes”
Life is short, your Dash, whether it be 18, 36, 72, 45 years, is short time – how are you going to live your dash.
So, as we conclude – let us remember Genesis 3:19 – For you were made from dust and to dust you will return.
Tony is no longer here – and while his body will eventually turn back to dust we remember Jesus’ words on the cross Luke 23:43 – Jesus replied to the criminal on the cross – “I assure you – today you will be with me in paradise.” Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5 - For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.
6 So we are always confident, even though we know that as long as we live in these bodies we are not at home with the Lord. 7 For we live by believing and not by seeing. 8 Yes, we are fully confident, and we would rather be away from these earthly bodies, for then we will be at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. My last conversation was with my brother was regarding this and I know that I know that I know he is in heaven, because of his faith. To join Tony in heaven on your last day is simple – accept Jesus Christ in your heart, Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead on the last day, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Savior.
We celebrate the life he lived, celebrate his new life with Jesus and all the believers that have preceded him and now as we leave – celebrate and be thankful for the time with family and friends and to remember to not take for granted any time to tell them how much they are loved by us and by Jesus.
And those are the precious memories that I will carry with me as I remember Tony’s life. That’s one of the great gifts that God gives us—the gift of remembering. Today we are not here to remember a life gone —we are here to celebrate the life of Tony.
And today my prayers are with you, Tony’s friends.
As we close today, let me encourage you in three ways.
1. Don’t take life for granted. Enjoy every day, laugh every day, and tell people that you love them every day. None of us knows the day or the hour when our earthly life may be over, so enjoy it and make the most of it.
2. Don’t take loved ones for granted. Surround yourself with people that love you and let the ones that you love know it. Don’t be afraid to say “I love you.” Say it often, say it loud, say it with words, say it with actions.
3. Don’t take God for granted. God is there for you in the good times and the bad. He is there because He loves you more than you will ever know.
Tony lived his dash to the fullest – are you?
Remember how I started today’s celebration – today is a reminder to celebrate the life we still have to live – to love – to forgive – to cherish – enjoy and to not take for granted the time that God has blessed us with.
Faith – Hope – Love the greatest of these is love – pretty much sums up my brother, my friend, living out his faith in his family, work, and play – does it sum up your life? It’s never too late to start.
Go in the peace and love of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen