Anton’s Coffee Shop owner dies

Photo courtesy J.D. Lee & Son’s Inc.

Anton Tasich died Jan. 17 at age 88.

The owner of Springfield staple Anton’s Coffee Shop has died.

Anton “Tony” Tasich died Jan. 17. He was 88, according to his obituary posted to the website of funeral home operator J.D. Lee & Sons Inc.

With his wife, Roberta, Tasich started Anton’s Coffee Shop in 1974, when the couple purchased McCormick’s Drive In, according to Springfield Business Journal archives.

An Omaha, Nebraska, native, Tasich relocated to Springfield in 1966 to lead food services at Heer’s Department Store. He worked as general manager for two local restaurants before opening his coffee shop, according to the obituary.

According to the obituary, Tasich was one of the first in Springfield to make his restaurant smoke-free before advocating for the city’s Smokefree Air Act of 2011.

He also was active in the community with such organizations as the Springfield Little Theatre, Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque and Twin Oaks Country Club.

Tasich is survived by his wife, two sons and one daughter. Funeral services are scheduled Jan. 23 at King’s Way United Methodist Church, 2401 S. Lone Pine Ave., according to the obituary.

Anton's Coffee Shop, at 937 S. Glenstone Ave., was open this morning, but the store’s manager was unavailable for comment when contacted by SBJ.