Michael Peter Toner

Born in Queens, New York, he was a son of the late John Toner and Marie Trease McNamara Toner.

He moved to South Carolina from New York nearly sixty years ago, though he never stopped being a New Yorker. He loved the Giants, the Mets, and the Knicks and later adopted the Gamecocks.

He played football in college and Rugby for “Old Gray” in Columbia where he earned the nickname “Tank” and sustained countless injuries.

A fixture behind the bar in Five Points for many years, he eventually began work as a concert promoter for Cellar Door productions where he toured with multiple big acts of the day, R.E.M., Mellencamp, Springsteen and others.

Eventually he found work that he truly loved as a long-haul truck driver. Initially for Mack Truck in Winnsboro and later for several other carriers, he traveled the entire United States and Canada before spending time driving internationally in Iraq and Afghanistan for the U.S. Department of Defense.

He traveled the world in his spare time while abroad. He learned to scuba dive and collected items from far off places that he shared with family and friends.

After returning to the United States, he began providing transportation of the USC Athletics Department and had a particular fondness for driving the lady Gamecocks basketball team. He also taught new drivers for TMC Transportation until his death.

Michael was also a forty-six-year recovering addict through Alcoholics Anonymous where he served as a model and a success story for others seeking their own recovery. He leaves behind countless friends and companions that went through part or all of this journey with him.

Late in his life, his greatest pleasure was being with his large, Irish, Catholic family that had also come from New York at the same time as him. His six Danfey cousins were some of his closest companions and their growing families brought him tremendous joy.

He and his sister Mariellen were particularly close, especially late in his life. She was his closest confidant, protector and friend and he was hers.

Surviving him are his sister, Mariellen Dennis of Columbia, SC, and two nephews, Patrick Dennis and Matthew Dennis, both of Columbia, SC.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to charity of your choice. However, the family would request special consideration for charities involving addiction recovery services.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memories may be shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.