Obituary of Anthony Branoff

Born January 29, 1958 in Detroit, Michigan Died March 21, 2016 in Miami, Florida (age 58) Parents and family: Father, Antonios (Tony) Branoff (deceased) and mother, Marilyn (Lindy) Fekety. Tony's father was an All-American football player at the University of Michigan and played in several bowl games including the Rose Bowl. Tony was very proud of his dad. He was proud too of his mother who worked in the Reagan White House and survives him. Tony's twin brothers, Timothy Paul Branoff and Terry Patrick Branoff are two years younger and also survive him. He had no biological children but helped raise and was a major influence in the lives of two children, Ed Plyaka, son of Anzhelika who he divorced in 2008 and Jerald Sy, son of Judith Sy to whom he was very close. He considered 6 year old Jerald Sy just like a son (Jerald called him Daddy). Tony had fun being with Jerald and they had happy times together, including professional hockey games they went to together. Tony had many careers throughout his lifetime including Master Scuba Diving Trainer/Instructor; Service Advisor for large automotive dealership; Sales Manager DTS/Drive Train Specialists; Technician/Sales Nationwide Truck Parts; Salesman National Parts Distributors; Owner/Operator Leather Medic; Owner/Driver All Seasons Auto Transport. He was good at whatever job he undertook, and had a particularly keen interest in anything having to do with cars, trucks, and motorcycles. He prided himself on being able to take a car apart and put it back together. Tony traveled to many countries including Italy (in Rome had an audience with the Pope), The Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Korea, Japan, Canada among others. He loved seeing new places and traveled extensively throughout the United States. Tony was an eternal optimist whose cup was always half full. He loved sports of all kinds but especially hockey (Florida Panthers and Detroit Red Wings), football (Michigan Wolverines and Detroit Lions), he also enjoyed travel, motorcycles, monster trucks, boating and dogs. He leaves a multitude of friends and family who grieve his loss. He had a big heart, was generous to a fault, and would give you the shirt off his back. He struggled with his weight since childhood but had recently lost almost 200 pounds and was proud of that accomplishment. Tony idolized his father who was a very successful college football hero and turned down a professional football offer. He struggled for his father's approval which came thankfully late in life. Tony was a great dad to both Ed and Jerald and was very proud of their accomplishments and successes. His sudden death leaves those who knew him struggling with his loss and he will be missed by many.