Anton "Tony" Gojcaj

Anton “Tony” Gojcaj, age 53, passed away on Thursday, January 26, 2017 at his home in West Branch, MI. He has lived in West Branch since 2005. Tony was born on June 13, 1963 to Nosh and Palina (Lucaj) Gojcaj in Montenegro (Yugoslavia). He immigrated with his family to the United States when he was a teenager. He was a proprietor and chef of the Willow Tree Restaurant in West Branch. At the time of his death, he also owned the Willow Tree and Cardinal’s Nest Tavern in Saginaw and Copper Falls Rok in Traverse City.

Tony is survived by his loving wife, Ophilia Gojcaj; children, Alban, Isabella, Laylah and Delilah Gojcaj; parents, Nosh and Palina Gojcaj; brothers, Jimi and Gjoko Gojcaj; many nieces and nephews; uncles, Mark, Rrok, Daku, and Kola; aunt Gjuli; Dajat, Coku, Gjelshi, Gjoni, and Toma and all of his cousins; brothers in law and best of friends, Paul and Mike Bojaj along with their spouses and children. He is preceded in death by his sister, Lula; uncle, Vaseli, grandfather, Pjeter; and grandmother, Mria.

Tony will be missed by his wife and kids. Our world will never be the same without him. When people first would meet Tony, they said they were intimidated by him until they started talking to him. Soon they realized he was a humble, caring, and loving man that loved to talk to his guests. He enjoyed talking politics and he always said, “You have the right to be wrong.” Tony said he was living the American dream. He loved this country and loved living in West Branch.

Visitation at Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will be held on Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Visitation Sunday 2-9 PM at the Wasik Funeral Home, Inc. 49150 Schoenherr Rd. (n. of 22 Mile Rd.), Shelby Twp. Instate Monday 9:30 AM for a 10:00 AM funeral Mass at St. Paul Albanian Catholic Church 525 W. Auburn Road (W. of Rochester Road), Rochester Hills. Interment Guardian Angel Cemetery 4701 Rochester Road (s. of Snell Road), Rochester Hills.

Online condolences can be shared at www.steuernolmclaren.com