Anton Svigelj

Anton Svigelj, 90 years old passed away April 2, 2024. Beloved husband of 64 years to Cecilia. Dear father of Cecilia Kusold (Bob) and Martha Gaser (Joe). Loving grandfather of Nicole Kusold-Matheou (Denny), Rachael Cully (Brian), Michael Kusold (Katie), Anna Gaser (Jonathan), Milo Kusold (Denise McDonough), Kati Lombardo (Mark); great-grandfather of John, Nicholas, Margo and Cora. Survived by sister-in-law Antonia Švigelj, brother-in-law Frank Grcar (Frida, deceased) and many nieces and nephews in the United States and Slovenia. Preceded in death by his parents Franc and Neža Švigelj and siblings Franc, Marija, Ana, Francka, Jože, Stanislava and Janez.

Anton was born in the Notranjska region of Slovenia in the small village of Bezuljak near Cerknica. He was the beacon of resilience and strength from his earliest days, born prematurely at 7 months during a time when full term children often didn’t survive.

Anton was raised in a humble home alongside six siblings. His childhood was impacted by World War II, which entered Slovenia when he was approximately seven years old, and brought significant hardships to his family and their rural community. Yet, it was during these formative years that Anton's spirit began to shine. He told of the time he watched the communist soldiers hiding munitions, and how after they left he went and moved them and then told his brother Franc, a home guard that was eventually murdered by the communists, where they could be found. He would recount tales of playing with undetonated grenades with the other village children – the game being whoever could pull the pin out of the grenade and hold on to it longest before it blew up being sanctioned the winner. Nothing short of a miracle that he lived until age 90 with a childhood like that – These stories underscored a theme that would define Anton's life: a playful and resilient embrace of any situation he would see in his life.

As a teen in Slovenia, Anton apprenticed as a shoemaker, which was somewhat ironic given he grew up having to wear his sister’s shoes due to lack of resources to get men’s shoes. His path as a shoemaker was interrupted by the military, arriving on his doorstep indicating that they would conscribe him the next morning. Unwilling to serve under the communist regime, in the dead of that night, without even saying goodbye to his family, he embarked on foot to Austria alongside his second cousin in a daring and dangerous escape.

In Austria, Anton found work as a forester, cultivating a lifelong love for trees that would become a hallmark of his later years. In 1956, Anton set sail for the United States on the General W C Langfitt, arriving at Ellis Island before making his way to the vibrant Slovenian immigrant community in Cleveland, Ohio. There Anton achieved the immigrant dream of home ownership, purchasing and renovating a house on Bayliss Ave into a symbol of new beginnings with his cousin Frank Lovko.
 
It was in Cleveland at a wedding, amidst the joy and celebration, that Anton and Cilka as he called her, started their romance. Their love story began with a simple request for a ride home from the wedding, a moment that to Anton, was akin to a marriage proposal. They were married on September 26, 1959, at St. Vitus. Their union is a testament to enduring love, marked by playfully antagonistic banter and a deep, abiding connection that lasted over 64 years.

Together they built a home in Willoughby Hills in 1966 where he lived for the rest of his life. There he planted and grafted fruit trees, grape vines and blue spruce trees, raised animals throughout the years, including rabbits, pheasants and even a goat one summer. Anton's connection to nature, especially trees, was profound. He found peace under the canopy of the numerous apple trees in his backyard, a place he jokingly wished to be his final resting spot. This connection to the earth was a testament to his appreciation for life's simple pleasures.

Anton's legacy is not only in the home he built with Cilka but also in the lives of their daughters, Cecilia and Martha. His disappointment at not having sons was humorously overturned by the affection and pride he held for his "two boys," his son-in-laws, who joined him in his love of cutting down trees, splitting wood, hauling wood all over the east side of Cleveland, and making wine.

Anton cherished his six grandchildren, and later 4 (going on 5) great-grandchildren who all lovingly called him Ata as he sang folk songs to their delight and bounced them on his knee.

A machinist by trade, Anton's work ethic was unparalleled, for a period of time working two jobs to provide for his family. He worked one job, came home to eat dinner, then went to his second job to work another shift.

Anton Švigelj was a man with many passions.

He loved going out to Slovenska Pristava, an organization of which he was a member of along with the Slovenska Pristava Pensioneer’s Club. In his younger years he would take his family to Pristava just about every Saturday and Sunday during the summer to enjoy the company of his friends, and to play bocce or in Slovenian balinca. He was a skilled balinca player, and president of the Slovenska Pristava Balinca Club for many years. Anton played actively in the bocce leagues on the east side of Cleveland, doing a signature running leap punctuated by the yelling of ”z lufta'' meaning from the air, as he threw his ball down the court to hopefully knock out the opponent’s ball. He was instrumental in starting the balinca league at St. Felicitas, now St. John of the Cross. and building the courts.

Anton also loved to sing Slovenian folk songs. A celebration of heritage and often punctuated by the clinking of forever refilled glasses, as Anton reveled in the camaraderie of friends and family. An amateur accordionist, he played with a joy and abandon that was infectious.

Throughout his life, Anton faced health challenges with resilience, never allowing them to dim his vibrant spirit. His motto, "Be good and smile," was more than just words; it was a philosophy that guided him and inspired all who knew him.

As we remember Anton Švigelj, let us carry forward his legacy of joy, hard work, and love of life. May we honor his memory by embracing life with the same boundless spirit that he showed every day. In his memory, let us "be good and smile," for this is the greatest tribute we can offer to a life so beautifully lived.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions in Anton’s name to: Slovenska Pristava Inc, 5900 Som Center Road, Suite 12 - #125 Willoughby, OH 44094.

Mass of Christian Burial Friday, April 12th 10AM at St.John of the Cross 140 Richmond Rd, Euclid, OH. Interment All Souls Cemetery. Family will receive friends at THE ZEVNIK COSIC FUNERAL HOME OF WILLOUGHBY HILLS, 28890 CHARDON ROAD THURSDAY, APRIL 11th FROM 4-8PM.