Anton Michelitsch

He was born August 7, 1927 in the County of Gotschee, in the Village of Graffenfeld, Yugoslavia, the son of Johann and Maria (Schleimer) Michelitsch.

He had spent his youth in Klagenfurt, Austria where he attended an Agricultural trade school and earned his certification. He worked in construction with his brother Richard building roads and community projects in the Carinthian Alps. He moved to the USA in 1951 and was drafted into the army serving out of Fort Campbell, Kentucky in the 140AAA, 27th regiment from 1953-1954 in Korea.

He married Mary Michitsch on June 25, 1955, at St. Aloysius Church in Queens, NY.

Upon his return from service he and his brother, Richard, owned and operated Richards Service station in Queens, NY, specializing in foreign and domestic automobile repair.

In 1968 he moved his family to Oneonta, NY, where he and his brother established A & R Auto Repair on Oneida St. He had been active in the business operations until his retirement in 1990. In his later years he and his wife assisted his son in business operations at Metro Cleaners in Cooperstown, NY.

His main occupation and greatest joy, however, was in attending to his grandson, Eric Michelitsch. Stewarding him in his early years and teaching him the German language. They were inseparable.

He was an avid outdoorsman and deer hunter. A member of the Green Mountain Hunting club in Queens, NY and also a member of the Ouleout Valley Game and Fish Protective Association in North Franklin, from 1956 to 2022, 66 years, where he held several executive offices over his years as a member.

In 1985, at the age of 60, he joined his oldest son, Helmut, in participating in the General Clinton Canoe regatta for the first time. A competitive season was capped off by a 6th place overall finish in the Open Aluminum Class.

He was a member of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Oneonta.

His greatest love was for his wife Mary, whose hand he held until he passed. Family and his many friends will be his enduring legacy.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Michelitsch of Oneonta, NY. His oldest son Helmut Michelitsch of Cooperstown, NY. His youngest son, Anton R. Michelitsch and daughter in-law, Catherine of Otego, NY. His only grandchild, Eric A. Michelitsch, of Oneonta, NY. He is also survived by his sister in law, Traudi Kump and her husband, Josef Kump of Queens, NY. Another sister in law, Thea Michitsch and her husband Albert Michelitsch of Queens, NY. He is also survived by several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his sister, Mrs. Zane (Anna) Talbert of Virginia Beach, brothers Richard, Gotfried, and Franz Michelitsch.

Friends are invited to greet the family on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 11 am to 1 pm at the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, 14 Grand Street, Oneonta, where a funeral service will take place immediately following at 1 pm., with Father Michael Cambi officiating.

Burial with military honors will follow at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Emmons.

The family has requested that expressions of sympathy be given to the Helios Care, 297 River Street Service Rd, Oneonta, NY 13820 and/or the Cooperstown Rotary Foundation, PO Box 993, Cooperstown, NY 13326.

Arrangements are by the Lester R. Grummons Funeral Home, Oneonta.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grummonsfuneralhome.com for the Michelitsch family.