Anthony Joseph Tyrer

August 16, 1940 – June 23, 2025

Born in Chorley, Lancashire, England to John “Jack” Tyrer and Mary (Dearden) Tyrer, Tony was an ardent big brother and devoted son. He endured a lot in his childhood, starting with the death of his four-month-old baby sister when he was three. Then, his mother passed away when he was seven. A few months later, in December 1947, he immigrated to the United States with his father and brother and stayed with extended family (Abrams/Kerfoot) in Detroit, Michigan. Tony gained a new family when his father remarried. He became a US citizen and in November 1957, he enlisted in the Navy. He went to school in Bainbridge, MD, where he met his first wife, Helen Janice May. Stationed in Brooklyn, NY, Tony struggled to fit in while assigned to the survey ship, USS Tanner AGS-15 from 1958-1961, but eventually received an honorable discharge in November 1963, moving to Kentucky to be near Helen’s family.

Seeking employment in Detroit, the couple relocated. He reconnected with his extended family and welcomed the birth of two daughters. Tony worked as a surveyor for the city and worked on the People Mover designs. He enjoyed set design, make-up artistry, costume making and acting with a small theater group, the Greasepaint Players. This is where he met his second wife, Mary Beth. The two married during one of the playgroup’s productions. It was a fun and grand affair and one of his fondest memories.

The couple moved to California for a professional opportunity offered to his new wife. Tony started working for Sacramento County as a civil engineer in the planning department. He produced several information and advertisement videos for the during his career. He enjoyed boating out west and even joined a yacht club. After their divorce, Tony embraced single life connecting with a group of friends from a local piano bar. He loved to socialize, mingle, and dance ever weekend with this group of friends. He suffered a heart attack in 2003, after successful quadruple bypass surgery, so he decided it was time to retire. He moved to Mesa, AZ to be near his sister and her family.

He relocated a few years later to Sun City, AZ where he purchased a home and settled in as a bachelor. He loved to collect model trains, time travel and other sci-fi movies, Christmas decorations and movies, ride his motor cycles and dance. Just as COVID hit, Tony suffered a minor stroke. He mostly recovered but remained isolated during the pandemic at his home. In December 2021, he suffered several more strokes, so he could no longer live alone. His daughter moved him to Virginia to stay with her and care for him during rehabilitation. He was recovering well when he suffered another stroke that required emergency surgery. Left without the ability to walk on his own, or care for himself, Tony found a new home at an assisted living center, Potomac Place. He enjoyed life in his apartment and attended many of the activities coordinated for the residents. Tony was safe and cared for by the nursing and aid staff that enabled him to live semi-independently with the level of assistance he needed.

During his time in Virginia, Tony, regained his faith and attended mass on several occasions with his daughter. He was able to participate in family events and celebrations, attending graduations, parties, and touring the sites in the DC area with his loved ones. He built new relationships and was grateful for the support he received. He especially loved visits from his sister and oldest daughter, and catching up with family and old friends on Messenger. He spent most Friday evenings with his daughter sharing some of his favorite movies.

Tony fell ill on Father’s Day 2025 and was diagnosed with metastatic cancer later that week. He was placed on hospice in the hospital in Woodbridge, Virginia, where he peacefully passed away on June 23rd. He is survived by daughters Suzanne Marie (Tyrer) Van Oppens and Deborah Lynn (Tyrer Harcher) Putz, sons-in-law Frank Van Oppens and Timothy Putz, grandchildren Johnathan Tyrer Harcher, Andrea Janice “AJ” Harcher, Zachary Scott Putz, and Margaret Marianne Putz, sister Karen Anne (Tyrer) Livernois, brother-in-law Noel Livernois, and sister-in-law Marjorie (Maynard) Tyrer. He is preceded in death by his parents, his step-mother Virginia Mary (Carron Renaud Tyrer Odette) Tyrer, sister Catherine Mary Tyrer, brother John Tyrer, and step brothers Marvin, Russell, and Clifford Renaud.

The family will hold a committal ceremony and prayer service at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, at 10:30am on Friday, August 8, 2025. There will be a wake/reception following at the Blackthorn Pub in Holly from 11:30am – 1:30pm. Friends and family of Tony are welcome to attend both or may pay their last respects at his gravesite after 4pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to https://CrossCatholic.org/outreach in memory of Tony. Please also consider submitting a prayer for those currently battling cancer to be included in the Day of Prayer. *All prayer intentions submitted by July 31 will be offered at a special Vatican Mass on August 15 for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.