Anton Maki Obituary

Dr. Anton "Tony" Maki October 23, 1953- May 29, 2024

KINGSPORT - Dr. Anton "Tony" Maki Jr. of Kingsport, Tennessee, peacefully passed away on May 29, 2024 at the age of 70, embraced by his four loving children. Tony was born on October 23, 1953 in Fronthausen, Germany and at the age of two emigrated with his parents to Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He learned English as his third language, marking the beginning of a life full of learning. A 1971 graduate of Thomas D'Arcy McGee High School, Tony went on to attend McGill University where he earned his Bachelor of Science in both Microbiology and Immunology, graduating Summa Cum Laude in 1975. In 1980, Tony earned his Doctor of Medicine from Memorial University in Newfoundland and returned home to complete residency in Internal Medicine at McGill. He subsequently matched in fellowship at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario where he became board certified in Infectious Disease and Microbiology. Always the overachiever, during Tony's educational pursuits, he also managed to marry his childhood friend, Marie Szabo. Together they welcomed and raised four beautiful children during their 27-year marriage. Though they ultimately parted ways, they remained friends and were overjoyed to become grandparents to six amazing grandchildren. Tony began his career in 1986 at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic and in 1990 became the first Medical Director of a publicly funded HIV clinic in Windsor, Ontario. Though incredibly challenging work with so many casualties and persistent stigma, Tony was committed to helping those who needed it most. This led him to accept a job in Albany, Georgia where he moved his young family to the Deep South. This impoverished region suffered greatly with widespread HIV/AIDS patients and no one to effectively treat them. Dr. Maki did all he could for every person that walked into his office despite the pervasive fear still surrounding those who were HIV positive. With a couple of mid-career stops in Kentucky and Michigan, Tony landed and settled in the beautiful mountains of Eastern Tennessee, which reminded him of home. He brilliantly dedicated himself to his patients, helping so many people along the way. You could call him the doctor that other doctors called when they just could not figure it out. Forever thinking outside of the box and using his extensive knowledge, he saved limbs and lives and often extended time for those in the most dire situations. Never a believer in slowing down or retirement, Tony surprised no one in 2007 when he announced that he was getting his MBA, which he completed with distinction two years later. This led to a career shift where he worked at both a pharmaceutical company and in the public sector. Moves, he claimed, that allowed him to further expand his impact on helping people and the scope of his expertise. Tony felt strongly that he must keep working because he was "the son of a painter" who felt so fortunate to get the education he did and remained committed to using it to help others right up until the very end. Tony loved a good Corgi or Dachshund meme and kept them coming on the family text chain. He was a computer/tech whiz and a walking encyclopedia. Never ever at a loss for words, he could speak knowledgeably and at length on almost any topic. He absolutely loved playing with his grandchildren who all enjoyed his unique silly games of "Makeup" and "Chair on Chair" as well as his iPad-led impromptu presentations on insects, reptiles and all things science. Tony was a supportive and loving father who accepted and encouraged each of his children to be and do exactly what they wanted in life. He always had an encouraging word, a unique perspective or related story to whatever was brought up. A proud dad through and through. In his final weeks, Tony reflected upon his life and work, sharing the stories of young patients gone too soon that haunted him and the moments that touched him most. He lit up every time his children and grandchildren visited, insisting on holding hands the entire time. His loss is monumental, but his legacy lives on in his family, the precious memories and the many people's lives he touched. Tony was predeceased by his father, Anton Maki Sr. He is survived by his mother, Barbara Maki; his sister Christine Dougherty (Mike); his daughters Dr. Alex Maki (Matt) and Anna Cowley (Will); his sons Anthony Maki and Andrew Maki; his children's mother Marie Szabo; his six beautiful grandchildren Caroline, Cate, Emma, Liam, Collier and Ellie and his granddogs Wiley Joe, Max and Doug. A visitation will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 1-3 p.m., at Ratterman Brothers Funeral Home at 3711 Lexington Road, Louisville Kentucky 40207. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association.