Anthony Mandikas

Anthony "Tony" Mandikas, age 40, loving husband and father, passed away on Thursday, February 6, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. Tony was born on May 4, 1973 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Tony is survived by his wife, Maria Cristina Salazar-Mandikas; daughter, Anastasia Marie Mandikas; parents, William and Lois Mandikas; grandmother, Arlene Henzler; brother, Bill (Staci) Mandikas, Jr., niece, Emma Mandikas, and, son, Austin Anthony Mandikas. Tony is loved and will be missed by many.

Tony will always be remembered and loved by us and those that knew him. He was born in up north, but was a southern boy. He grew up in Florida, and moved to and made his home in Texas. His favorite state was his South Carolina where he attended college. Tony was a man of many interests. Tony loves the outdoors - camping, hiking, whitewater rafting. He would reminisce about the crazy trips that he and his friends would have in his younger days. He was adventurous and a dare devil. He would always talk about the finishing trips that he would take with his father. It was so cold but he loved being out there in the cold, cold river water.

He loved his electronics. His last project was a 6 foot subwoofer. When he played it, the whole house would shake. He called it his 2nd baby. He said that he was unique because he was the only IT guy out there with a personality. In his spare time he loved to play call of duty. It was too fun to see how mad he would get at the screen.

He wanted to travel the world. He would go to festivals with me. At times it seemed I had to drag him out to them, but he really loved them. My favorite was the olive festival. I believe he tried every type of olive and at least one piece of every cheese available. By the end of the day, he probably had eaten over 100 olives. He said he would be bloated for days.

He loved cooking for his family. Every day he would try to whip something up for us. His favorite dish to cook, barbeque baby back ribs on the grill. I think we dined on ribs for almost 3 weeks straight, while he perfected his grilling skills.

He loved music and would fill blaring music throughout the house. He was not much of a dancer, but when he was dancing to a Disney movie theme song with Anastasia, he became Gene Kelly.

He loved going to the movies and anyone that knew him knows he liked the large popcorn with layered butter and at times jalapenos on the side. That was standard for a movie. He would growl if you got too close.

If you knew Tony, please post your stories of him that I might share with Anastasia. I want her to know her Dad as she grows up, and your stories would help me do just that.

Thank you all for your love and support,

Tina and Anastasia Mandikas

The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 12th, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church.

HOLY MASS

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2014

2:00 P.M.

HOLY TRINITY CATHOLIC CHURCH

20523 HUEBNER ROAD

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS

Entombment will be on a later date in Garden of Memories Mausoleum, Tampa, Florida.