Anthony B. Cichan
On Monday, October 19, 2020, Anthony B. Cichan passed away at the age of 92. Tony Cichan was born in the small upstate town of Kulpmont, PA on July 28, 1928. As the son of a Polish-Catholic coal miner, Tony lived the American Dream. He married the love of his life, Cecelia Kolenda and had three children, Cynthia, Michael and David, each of which went on to have successful lives of their own. He served his country in World War II, achieved his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from LaSalle College and lived a life of entrepreneurial business success woven into the social and civic fabric of Willow Grove, PA in the 1960’s through the 2000’s. Tony served God and his community with involvements in St. David’s Catholic Church, The Knights of Columbus, The Rotary Club and the Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce. He took great pride in managing the Little League baseball teams of his sons, enjoyed golf, fishing, hunting and playing pool with friends. Though serious about business, Tony always had a jovial and fun presence, saying “humor plays a very important part in life,” he literally had a joke for every circumstance. After his wife Cecelia’s sudden passing in 1976, Tony met and married Margaret Boyce of Maple Glen, PA. Many happy years were punctuated by the tragic crash of Northwest Airlines flight 255 in 1987 where his surviving granddaughter Cecelia became an inspiration to many. After his successful business career, Tony settled into a comfortable life in Florida.
He is survived by his daughter, Cynthia Smith, her spouse Dennis, their children Eric Smith and Christopher Smith, his spouse Melinda and their children Colton, Deacon and Prairie Smith. In addition, he is survived by his son David J. Cichan, his spouse Lisa and their children Alexander A. and Christian M. Cichan. He is survived by his granddaughter Cecelia Crocker, her husband Benjamin and their son. Finally, Anthony is survived by his three step children from his marriage to Margaret – Joseph Boyce, Brian Boyce and Ann McGonigal, their spouses and children.
He is preceded in death by spouses, Cecelia M. Cichan and Margaret Cichan; son, Michael; daughter-in-law, Paula; as well as grandson, David.
A private graveside memorial service will be held at Our Mother of Consolation in Mt. Carmel, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers please forward donations to the Rotary Club of Willow Grove, P.O. Box 342, Willow Grove, PA 19090.
Mullins Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Fort Myers, is entrusted with final care.
😢🙏🌹Prayers & hugs to his family
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all- he sounds like a wonderful human being who will be missed-
We are thinking of you all today. Your dad was larger than life. We are so sorry to hear of your loss.
I knew Tony for many years as a business man and Rotary Club member. He was always fun to be with .and truly lived the American Dream.
Thoughts and prayers!
I am so deeply saddened to just learn of Anthony’s passing. My sincere sympathies and most heartfelt condolences to the Cichan family. It seems – reading about his life here – that he did live the American dream. It was a dream that not only he lived, but was lived as well by those who knew him, with whom he shared it – including myself. In that regard, in truth, he was never “Anthony” or “Tony” to me; but Mr. Cichan, my Little League baseball team manager, in the summer of 1965. That team, through his leadership, because of his on field guidance and the belief he demonstrated to us – in us – both as individuals and as a team – ended up doing very well. We wound up winning a championship that year, and had a lot of fun doing it. That was a very big deal to a 10 year old boy who had at the time had very little confidence in himself. Having an adult leader that could look at you and calmly communicate belief and reassurance in your abilities when you doubted yourself was an invaluable gift, one that I’ve never forgotten. I still fondly remember the last thing he said to me as we parted ways at the end of that season, “I’ll see you when you pitch for the Chicago Cubs!” What a wonderful thing that was for him to say; a kind moment of sharing his vision – his dream of life – with me. Rest In Peace, Mr. Cichan.