Remembering Tony Karsnia

Paul Steinberg

PCS Life Member President
Staff member
Super Site Supporter
I would like to say a few words about Past President Tony Karsnia. I prefer to focus on how Tony lived, rather than how Tony died, as tragic as it is to lose a man that we all respected.

When the Friends of the Professional Car Society Forums was created Tony became one of its first directors. He then quickly contributed with helpful suggestions and ideas. As time went on, he realized that he only had so much time in his busy life. Having young children, a wife, being the business manager of a funeral home, religious obligations, among other endeavours were all competing for his time, and he had to make adjustments to fit everything into his 24 hour day. He made his choices wisely, choices that all of us would have made,. He chose to devote more time to his loving family, and gave up his position on the Forums.

Now, for that part of Tony's life that none of us knew about, and I am only mentioning now, because his wife Kim wants everyone to know that Tony suffered from depression. It is her hope that sharing Tony's story will help others who also suffer from this condition. To have talked or interact with him, no matter what the event, whether if be a gathering of friends, a new acquaintance, or a complete stranger, you would have never known that he was afflicted with depression. He hid this well from all that knew him. I am proud to say that I was a friend and a colleague of Tony's. I will miss him, as will all the others whom he touched their lives. Tony, may your memory be for a blessing.
 
I was very surprised to learn of Tony's condition. I am sad for Tony's family. I liked Tony a lot, he was always a gentleman. I even bought a car from him once. For now, all we can do is wonder what we could have done differently.
 
an idea for Tony

Yesterday while listening to classical music on public radio there was a blurb about the nonprofit American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The announcer mentioned that suicide is the 11th or 12th most common cause of death in South Carolina which surprised me.I'm sure most of us reading these threads are aware that Tony took his own life. In my area it's very common to read in obituaries "in lieu of flowers the family requests that a donation be made to[name of a charity or nonprofit organization that the family supports]" From looking at this foundation's site I thought it might be an organization we could contribute to in Tony's memory. Their website is www.afsp.org. If even a small contribution causes someone contemplating ending their life to change their mind it would surely be a blessing to Tony's memory and for his family. I'm sure some of us have experienced suicide in our own families.I have, but fortunately not in my immediate family. I've had some communication with Robert Shepard over the last couple of days. He told me that a link to Tony's Burial Mass will be posted in the upcoming days on one of the Facebook pages that I'm sure most of us are familiar with. I'll make a post when I receive more specific info. Everyone please stay safe!
 
Back
Top