Tony Brow

Anthony “Tony” Stewart Brow was a responsible and respected man on the job and at home. He was hard working and kind as well as jovial and fun-loving. Being a spiritual man, he cared deeply for his family and community, and working in the mental health field, he showed compassion and wisdom. Tony touched the lives of many around him and considered it a privilege to serve God through his life as a husband, father, co-worker and friend.

Anthony Stewart was born November 29, 1958 in Detroit, Michigan at a time when America was enjoying the peace and prosperity of post-WWII optimism. Growth in industry and jobs gave workers the opportunity to build homes and start families that launched the baby boom era. Tony was the eighth of Harvey and Margaret (Aldertown) Brow’s nine children.

Tony attended St. Sebastian Elementary School in Dearborn, but when his father died during his sophomore year, Tony felt the need to go away for a time. He remembered his school being visited by representatives of St. Lawrence Seminary High School in Mt. Calvary, Wisconsin. They had made an impression on him, and Tony’s decision to move there proved to be a good one. He thrived in the environment that allowed him to run track and reflect on his life going forward. At one point, he considered becoming a priest. After high school, he returned to Detroit and lived with Brothers of the Capuchin Order while attending the University of Detroit. During his year of study, Tony was also involved in numerous community service efforts. Those formative years did much to shape his spiritual and vocational life.

When the opportunity arose for Tony to live and work in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he moved into his sister’s home and a cousin helped him land a job. He worked at Pine Rest Mental Health Services and remained in the mental health field for the next 35 years, even working two jobs for 20 of those years. Throughout his career, Tony maintained close friendships with co-workers in the mental health community.

It was meeting co-worker Robyn Constantino that moved Tony’s life in the direction of marriage and family. The two began dating in 1986, and their relationship grew over several years of an on-and-off courtship. On February 20, 1993 they made their lifelong vows of marriage at Holy Spirit Parish and dashed off to Disney World for their honeymoon. That whimsical side of Tony came out more often in his sense of humor and fondness for corny jokes. He loved to laugh and make others laugh.

Tony and Robyn were blessed with a son, Robert, born in October of 1995. Tony was a very caring dad and his fun-loving ways would have attracted any child. For example, he told great stories and kooky jokes. He loved any and all candy, he had to have cherry chip cake on his birthday and apple pie was his favorite food. He didn’t like spicy food, just simple fare like spaghetti the way Robyn made it and meat he cooked on the grill. Around the house Tony played oldies music of his childhood, and out-of-doors he often rode his bike to Lake Michigan. His enjoyment of nature was only surpassed by his love of history. Tony had always been great with numbers, and his memory for historical dates was phenomenal.

The Brows were members of St. John Vianney Parish in Wyoming, Michigan, where Tony sang as a cantor for mass and taught catechism for those learning the Catholic faith. When he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2012, Tony became involved with Gilda’s Club support groups for patients and their families. That’s just the kind of person he was—caring, faithful and hopeful.

Due to treatment, Tony was considered cancer-free for several years, but the side effects caused much suffering and diminished his quality of life. When the cancer returned in May of 2016, his health declined further, and Tony succumbed to the disease just one day before his 58th birthday.

Tony S. Brow aged 57, of Wyoming, Michigan passed away surrounded by his family on Monday, November 28, 2016. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his dear family and cherished friends.

Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Harvey and Margaret Brow; brother, Michael Brow; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Robert and Margaret Constantino; and brothers-in-law, Hugh McSurely and Kevin Capler. Tony is survived by his wife of 23 years, Robyn; son, Bobby; and siblings, Patricia (Jeff) Rohrer, Kathleen McSurely, Susan DePlanche, Mary (Jesse) Sanchez, Timothy (Janice) Brow, Theresa (Rod Lowe) Nickles and Ann (Kevin) Brow-Connolly. Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Julie Constantino and Paula (David) MacKenzie; many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends; and special friend, Joe Bauman. A special thank you to Dr. Brett Brinker and staff as well as the nurses of 5 South at Spectrum Health – Butterworth Campus for the care and compassion shown to Tony. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM Saturday, December 3, 2016 at Holy Spirit Parish, 2230 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. His family will receive community support on Friday from 4-7 PM, followed by a time of storytelling and sharing, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Interment in Holy Cross Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to Leukemia/Lymphoma Society Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read his lifestory, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook online.