Tony Gaines passed from this world to his eternal reward on June 21, 2016, at home with family.
Tony was born on December 2, 1943, in St. Augustine, FL, to Dr. Wm. Anthony and Sedalia Gaines. Tony was raised in Philadelphia, PA, and graduated from Hampton University in Norfolk, VA. Tony moved to Green Bay to work as an engineer at a paper mill; it was in Green Bay where he and Karen met. Tony and Karen moved to Milwaukee where Tony received a masters degree in energetics engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and where he also worked toward a PhD in the same field before he and Karen moved to Minneapolis for Tony's job in engineering research.
In 1989 Tony and Karen returned to Green Bay where they have since lived among their loving family and friends along with their wonderful Labradors, Hershey, Lucy, and now, Lilly Lorraine.
Although sick for 25 years, Tony was always very kind and exhibited a happy, positive attitude and outlook. Tony was the epitome of goodness as well as a kind and loving husband.
Tony is survived by his wife of many years, Karen Thomas, Green Bay. Further survived by daughters, Joy Gaines and Doena Gaines-Moore and granddaughters, Elise and Kayla Moore, and former wife, Rita Gaines-Elliott, Michigan. Also survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Kathi and Gil Wright, Jill Kahovec, Judi and Randy Korth, Jane and Bryan Brzezinski; nieces and nephews, Dr. Ben Wright and Whitney Stewart Wright, Eric Wright, USMC, Lydia Wright, Daniel Kahovec, Logan (Allie) Thomas, Beau (Holly) Thomas, and Audrey Jane Thomas; as well as many other dear aunts, uncles, cousins, family, and many friends.
Tony was preceded in death by parents; Dr. Wm. A. and Sedalia Gaines; aunt, Wilma Gaines; sister and her husband, Sandra and Dr. William Lopes; parents-in-law, Winford and Audrey Thomas; and brother-in-law, Matthew J. Thomas.
Visitation at Malcore (East) Funeral Home, 701 N. Baird Street, Sunday, June 26, 2016, from 10am until the time of the service. Memorial service, 11:30 am, Sunday, June 26, 2016, at the funeral home with Pastoral Associate, Ann R. Froelich officiating.
Because of Tony's long and complex illnesses, many thanks are due: First and foremost to the best primary care physician he has ever had during his long illnesses, Dr. Olan Abdel-Halim, an internal medicine physician at Prevea Clinic in Allouez. Dr. Halim coordinated Tony's care with his numerous other specialty physicians in Green Bay as well as with the University of Wisconsin Transplant Center. Dr. Halim is a caring, concerned, excellent, physician of the highest order and we are forever grateful to her for her care. Green Bay nephrologists who have also taken care of Tony for many years: Drs. Neu, Smith, and Lawton, were also ever vigilant with his care. The University of Wisconsin Transplant Center in Madison performed Tony's first kidney transplant from a donor in Tampa, FL in 1993, an act of kindness from an unknown and grieving family which saved Tony's life. Tony received a second kidney successfully transplanted from his wife in 2009, also at the UW Transplant Center. The Allouez Rescue Squad on St. Josephs Street in Allouez deserves many thanks; they have saved Tony's life multiple times and are all expert paramedics who respond quickly and with great professionalism and compassion. The pharmacists at Shopko in DePere, Tom, Tom, and Tony, and the wonderful pharmacy techs, all of whom assisted with Tony's complex medication regimen with skill, accuracy, and endless kindness to him. To all of the other physicians, hospitalists, intensivists, nurses, and staff at both St. Vincent and Bellin Hospital who have cared for Tony over the years, again, thank you. During this last week, Unity Hospice has been phenomenal; their support and caring made Tony's last wish of coming home to die come true. Unity Hospice is a treasure. Lastly, Kathi Wright and Ellie Thomas, sister and aunt, provided additional nursing support and so much tender care and love to Tony as they stayed with Tony and Karen through the nights and much of the days. Sisters, brothers-in-law, daughters, grand-daughters, nieces and nephews and friends, all supported and comforted Tony in his last days.
Please, dear readers, remember – organ donation saves lives. Please sign your donor card today and tell your family about your wishes to donate organs when you die. “Don't take your organs to Heaven; Heaven knows we need them here!”