Herbet Tony Coury (September 26, 1924 – May 13, 2015)

Herbert “Tony” Coury
Herbert Tony Coury of Zanesville died Wednesday May 13, 2015 peacefully at his home with his family by his side.
He was born September 26, 1924 in Zanesville to the late Anton and Tasia (Emrod) Coury.
As a small boy of 7 years old he would stand at 5th and Main St and sell newspapers, he loved selling even at a young age. At age 10 when John Dillinger escaped from Crown Point, Indiana jail in 1934 he sold 144 newspapers that day and in his own words “I ran up and down Main St. selling like crazy, people were afraid and locked their doors”, he was so proud to give his mother all the money he made that day.
At 17 years old he joined the U.S. Navy serving on the battleship U.S.S. New Jersey as a gunners mate for 3 years, he saw many rough conflicts in the South Pacific, Marshall Islands, New Guinea, Saipan, Guam, Formosa, Iwo Jima and many more, receiving many medals including; Good Conduct, Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific with 9 stars, American Area and Philippine liberation with 2 stars. The Navy was a very important part of his life and strengthened his future in many ways, he often talked how he would be in his bunk and visualize his mother’s cooking and vowed to always have good food when he got home if he didn’t have anything else and that he did!
After returning home in 1946 he worked at Brockway Glass for a short time, not liking a factory and being confined, he then moved on to a 4 year apprenticeship as a brick mason later working for O.J. Paul Construction (his favorite). Herby worked on many buildings in the area including schools, churches, Cambridge State Hospital plus making beautiful fireplaces, brick walkways. Working from Zanesville to W. Virginia saying he was never one day without a job. When working local he would lay brick in the daytime and then work for his father at the Imperial Market on 6th St. until 11p.m. each night, he was very loyal to his parents and gave them credit for teaching him true values to live by.
In 1959 Herb opened the Imperial Bar and for 48 years working nonstop, being blessed with good health he didn’t miss a day’s work, he loved the bar business, the customers were all special to him, he always had parties for birthdays or any special day to celebrate, he knew their name, their family, what they drank and all their problems. Each customer was treated like royalty as long as you treated him good and caused no trouble. Herb’s good friend, Jerry Humphrey, worked loyally side by side for 40 years as a bartender, Herb always gave him much credit for his friendship and overall loyalty.
Herb an avid pool player, not only competed with people locally but from surrounding towns often taunting them by shooting behind his back in order to make a shot. Herb was quite the entertainer too but always said “when you shoot pool every day for many years anybody is bound to be good”.
After selling the Imperial Bar and retiring in 2007 he enjoyed life, but, always missed his good friends and customers. Herb enjoyed working in the yard, gardening and was a terrific cook, his specialty being spaghetti sauce, chili and kibby.
After retirement Herb took small vacations and kept in close contact with 5 of his Navy friends which have now passed also.
Herb was a member of St. James Episcopal Church, V.F.W. and former Mason.
Survived by his wife Patti (Pallos) Coury, son Tony (Linda) Coury of Zanesville, daughter, Beth (Scott) Hennick of Pickerington Ohio. Grandchildren Karla (Maurice) Coury of New Bern, N.C., Michael (Julie) Mahaffey of Perrysburg Ohio, Allie and Grace Coury of Zanesville, Anton and Jack Hennick of Pickerington, 3 great-grandchildren Julian, Isaac and Liam, Sister Louise (Joe) McElhaney of Zanesville, two sisters-in-law Mary Coury of Dublin, Blanche Dady of Zanesville mother-in-laws Marguerite Iaconis of Westerville sisters-in-law Genie (Nick) Boyer of Westerville, Pam (Steven) Russell of Mt. Vernon, Paula (George) Waite of Junction City and 2 brother-in-laws Greg Canter of Mt Vernon and Brent Bishop of Columbus Ohio.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers Eddie and Fred Coury and one sister Emeline, sister-in-law Meg Bishop, two brother-in-laws Merle Morrison and Dan Pallos, his first wife Rosemary Waters Coury, mother-in-law Lelia Canter, fathers-in-law Mike Canter and John Pallos.
Visitation will be held at the Bryan & Hardwick Funeral Home, 2318 Maple Ave. from 1 to 3 pm Saturday, May 16th with Funeral Services and Military Honors to follow at 3pm.
Graveside services will be at a later date at St. Paul Cemetery Zanesville, Ohio
Memorial Contributions can be made to: Hospice of Central Ohio, 2269 Cherry Valley Rd., Newark, Ohio 43055 or to the Alfred Carr Center, 1035 Beverly Ave., Zanesville, Ohio.
The family would like to send special thanks to Hospice of Central Ohio, V.A. Nurses, Pastor Nancy Amos, friends, neighbors and family for the kind words and prayers. God Bless You All.
As Herb said many times and we’ll never forget “last call, be careful going home, see you tomorrow”.
To share memories and condolences with Herb’s family please visit www.BryanHardwickFuneralHome.com.