Anthony "Tony" D. Votaw of Ithaca, NY passed away on July 6, 2024, at the age of 67 in Kansas City, Missouri.
Born on July 3, 1957, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Tony grew up in Hays, Kansas, where he attended Hays High School. He furthered his education at Fort Hays State University and Wichita State University. Tony dedicated a significant part of his life to the healthcare sector, retiring in 2022 as the Vice President of Cayuga Health System in Ithaca, New York.
Renowned for his hands-on leadership style, Tony was a familiar face throughout the health system, known for his routine checks to ensure the safety and well-being of both patients and staff. His commitment to operational excellence and compassionate leadership left a lasting impact on his colleagues and the community. Outside of his career, Tony was an avid pool player in his younger years.
He cherished and loved his family, taking immense pride in Travis and Sara’s accomplishments especially their service to our country. He loved Polly’s sons as his own. While he may not have been the “play catch” kind of grandpa, he showed up to the important events in all the grandchildren’s lives no matter how far we needed to travel ..even Alaska in February! He was blessed to see his oldest granddaughter Kirsten graduate from high school, then college and then get married. He was so proud of her as she has grown and advanced her career as a Music Teacher in a rural Kansas school district. “Lily week” was established when Lily started spending a week with us each summer and was a tradition even through his illness.
The grandsons, while perhaps a bit rambunctious at times, helped Tony to see that having family physically close by was something to be cherished. Tony’s “love language” was making sure everyone was safe and happy..and we felt it every day.
Tony is survived by his loving wife, Polly Votaw of Ithaca, NY; children, Travis (Penny) Votaw of Lansing, KS, and Sara (Brad) August of Lansing, KS; stepsons, Tim (Lisa) Parsons of Freeville, NY, and Matt (Ruthanne) Parsons of Groton, NY; his father, Charles Votaw of Hays, KS; and sister, Brenda McMillin of Hays, KS. He was a proud grandfather to Kirsten (Ryan) Smallwood, Lily August, Connor and Colin Parsons, and Owen Parsons, among extended family members.
Tony was preceded in death by his mother, Zireta Votaw, who passed away just weeks before him on June 14, 2024.
Memorial services will be held at the convenience of the family in Hays, Kansas, and Ithaca, New York. Belden-Larkin Funeral Home in Leavenworth, KS, is assisting the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to HaysMed Foundation, 2220 Canterbury Drive, Hays, KS 67601; Saint Luke’s Foundation, 901 E 104th St, Kansas City, MO 64131; or Cayuga Medical Center Foundation, 101 Dates Drive, Ithaca, NY 14850.
Tony’s legacy of love, leadership, and unwavering commitment to his family and community will be deeply missed and forever cherished.
As he said to Polly in the early weeks of his illness, “Take your time and be comfortable and not rushed. I love you very much! The light is out there it is just going to take a different tunnel/path than I had thought.” May the light he was and still is in our lives never dim.