Anthony Charles Gilford

Anthony Charles Gilford was born April 30, 1963, to Joe L. Gilford and Mary B. (Person) Gilford in Warren, Ohio. The fourth child of seven children and referred to as the glue of the family being the middle child. His educational journey began at Morgandale Elementary School in Warren, Ohio. In the seventh grade he transferred to Ramah Jr. Academy in Cleveland, Ohio where he made lifelong friends.

Mifflin High School in Columbus, Ohio would become his alma mater where he graduated June 1981. Accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior as a young child, Anthony was baptized into Glenville SDA Church in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1992, at Atlanta Berean SDA Church, Anthony desired a reconsecration to the Lord, and was rebaptized with his brother Joseph. Being convicted and convinced of the Spirt of Prophecy and renewing his relationship with God, Anthony gave himself enthusiastically to prison ministries, community services and nursing home visitations for many years while attending Macedonia SDA Church in Chester, Pennsylvania and Ephesus SDA Church in Columbus, Ohio.

With ardent observation of his father’s automotive repair skills, Anthony experienced an unquenchable desire for cars and how they worked. Quickly, he learned how to breakdown engines, install, diagnose and repair almost anything on a car. His love of automotive repair led him to serve in the U.S. Army Reserve after high school as an automotive mechanic for two years. This became a lifelong passion and past time for him up until his illness. Tony’s vast knowledge of cars drew family, friends and others to enquire about varied details and specs of classic, muscle and all types of cars, which he energetically basked in. Equally as passionate was his love of the art of business finance. Embracing the gift of numbers and figures, for over 30 years, Anthony worked as an independent business finance consultant assisting small businesses in acquiring finances that otherwise couldn’t be achieved. Within the realm of his business consulting, he also operated as a residential mortgage consultant up until his illness.

Affectionally Anthony Charles Gilford was born April 30, 1963, to Joe L. Gilford and Mary B. (Person) Gilford in Warren, Ohio. The fourth child of seven children and referred to as the glue of the family being the middle child. His educational journey began at Morgandale Elementary School in Warren, Ohio. In the seventh grade he transferred to Ramah Jr. Academy in Cleveland, Ohio where he made lifelong friends. Mifflin High School in Columbus, Ohio would become his alma mater where he graduated June 1981. Accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior as a young child, Anthony was baptized into Glenville SDA Church in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1992, at Atlanta Berean SDA Church, Anthony desired a reconsecration to the Lord, and was rebaptized with his brother Joseph. Being convicted and convinced of the Spirt of Prophecy and renewing his relationship with God, Anthony gave himself enthusiastically to prison ministries, community services and nursing home visitations for many years while attending Macedonia SDA Church in Chester, Pennsylvania and Ephesus SDA Church in Columbus, Ohio.

Additionally, one of Tony’s favorite past times was being Pittsburg Steelers biggest fan. With over five decades of following, he triumphed in their victories. He identified them as being a tough hard nose team that was hard to beat, which he resonated with. Also, Tony had a special gift of bringing people together. Unbeknown to him, he kept each sibling connected with the other. Every Sunday morning, he would connect with the siblings and in turn each would be acquainted with each other via Tony. He was a man of family connections, a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, and a friend who will be dearly missed.

Anthony is survived by and leaves to cherish his memories; his mother; Mary B. Gilford, his father; Joe L. Gilford, his sisters; Brenda Davis and Mary Gilford-Robinson and stepsister Cynthia Gibbs, brothers; Predida Gilford, (Flora), Joseph Gilford Jr. (Maria), Gregory Gilford, Ronald Gilford (Lauren) and adopted brother Lorenzo Montgomery, as well as a host of special adored nieces and nephews, cousins, aunts, relatives, friends and colleagues. He would connect with the siblings and in turn each would be acquainted with each other via Tony. He was a man of family connections, a son, a brother, an uncle, a cousin, and a friend who will be dearly missed.

Visitation 12:00 PM and Funeral Service 1:00 PM Monday, July 11, 2022 at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist Church, 3650 Sunbury Road. Interment Tuesday at Meadow Brook Memorial Park (Warren, Ohio). Ministry of Comfort entrusted to MARLAN J. GARY FUNERAL HOME, THE CHAPEL OF PEACE EAST, 5456 E. Livingston Ave. To read the complete obituary, order flowers, view video tribute and offer condolences to The GILFORD Family, visit www.TheChapelofPeace.com