I still remember the first time we were going to meet our new grandparents. We had never had a grandpa in our life before and we couldn’t wait. Tony spent weeks getting us ready to meet them. Never have I heard elbows off the table so many times in one meal. As soon as we met grandpa, I wondered what Tony was so worried about. From what I could see, there was not one thing we could do that would be wrong in grandpas eyes. His admiration and excitement of gaining his first 4 grandchildren was immediately noticeable. He went out of his way to make us feel welcomed and a part of the family. We looked forward to any chance to go back. Holidays were packed with new traditions to us. Each one had been perfected overtime and not a single thing overlooked. We learned what fondue was. We decorated Ukrainian Easter eggs and it was because of them that my love for Christmas began. The joy and happiness that came from being together and sharing all his blessings is when Grandpa was the happiest. He did whatever he could to make sure every person around him was happy and taken care of. When the time came for my parents to marry, we all took Waytowich as our last name. For the first time, it felt like our family was one. It felt like we all belonged together. Grandpa gave us many things over the years but the greatest gift he gave us was his last name. We’ve carried that name with pride, respect, appreciation and love. To this day and forever more, I’ll never forget the kindness, understanding, love and pride you had with us and as you welcomed 3 more grandchildren and even more great grandchildren over the years. Bringing my kids to meet him the first time, I understood Tony more. I too made sure the kids were well versed in their table manners and that nothing would go sideways because I wanted to do him proud, but just like every other time, Grandpa just wanted to spend time together. I’ll forever be grateful for being welcomed into the family and gaining a Grandpa as incredible as he was. We will always share the stories and the joy he had and hope that even just a small part of the legacy you’ve created, continues to inspire others for a very long time to come. You’ll be forever missed. 🥰

Forever the coolest, strongest, boldest presence in every room, my Poppa was an absolute force. His humour and wit were unmatched, and he remained sharp as a tack until the end. Poppa radiated the most incredible energy that made him the life of every party. He loved hosting friends and family in his backyard and heavily Chicago Blackhawks-themed basement, where drinks flowed, guitars strummed, and voices attempted to harmonize—often with mixed results. His guitar was always close at hand, entertaining us with original songs that had slightly skewed lyrics - by the age of 4, I was convinced that “the itchy bitchy spider” was a standard children’s song. Known for being a professional shit disturber in his early years, he had the most outrageous stories—many he promised to finish “when I was older” but in reality, I’d never be old enough to hear the absurd details of what he got up to. I’ll now have to spend my free time harassing uncle Earl and uncle Pat for those. Poppa's warm nature extended throughout his home, which was always filled with people, amazing food, drinks, music, and hockey, setting the backdrop for some of my most cherished childhood memories. He adored hockey, initiating the lineage of Waytowich goalies, and I’m not sure that a louder noise than Poppa watching a Blackhawks game has ever existed. Every Christmas, Poppa created magic, transforming his home into the North Pole for our arrival and secretly playing Santa on the other line to make sure we behaved around the holidays. Above all, he was the most loving person who valued his family over everything, constantly reminding us of how much we meant to him. Poppa was the glue of our family, and I feel privileged to have had such a legendary grandfather figure in my life for the past 26 years. Poppa, you were so unique, and although your 85 years here were undoubtedly well-lived, this still feels like such a loss. No amount of time with you here would ever have been enough. What a cool legacy you’ve left behind. We’ll miss you forever Poppa, you’re so loved❤️