Tony Iriti Celebrated As Memorial Plaque Unveiled
People gathered outside the Findlay Municipal Building to remember and celebrate Tony Iriti for all he did for Findlay and Hancock County.
Below is video from the celebration that includes remarks from Tony’s son Mike and former mayor Lydia Mihalik.
“Tony never asked ‘what’s in it for me?’, he always asked ‘what’s best for Findlay?’” Mihalik said.
(From the City of Findlay)
From his service as Hancock County Auditor, member of Findlay City Council and Mayor of the City of Findlay to his leadership roles with the Northwest Ohio Flood Mitigation Partnership and Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, Tony approached every endeavor with a simple but powerful philosophy: ignore the noise and always begin with the end in mind.
Tony’s greatest strength was his ability to bring together the right people around a shared vision. While that may sound simple, it often takes a strong and determined leader to maintain focus, build consensus, and continually remind others what success looks like. Tony possessed that rare ability. He led with purpose, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to improving the community he loved.
Yet Tony’s passion for Findlay and Hancock County extended far beyond public service. He was an enthusiastic supporter of local sports and a devoted lover of music—interests that brought him great joy and connected him with countless friends throughout the community.
As part of the celebration, a memorial plaque honoring Tony’s legacy was unveiled and will be permanently displayed in Dorney Plaza near the Kwanzan Japanese Cherry Trees. The trees were planted in 2018 to commemorate the Friendship City relationship between Findlay and Kawaguchi, Japan, a partnership that reflected Tony’s belief in building meaningful connections that extended beyond borders.
Through numerous visits and exchanges with community leaders and residents in Japan, Tony helped strengthen the bonds of friendship, cultural understanding, and mutual respect that continue to benefit both communities today. His commitment to fostering these international relationships reflected the same values that guided his local service: bringing people together, building trust, and creating opportunities for future generations.
More than any title he held, Tony will be remembered for his vision, his leadership, and his enduring belief in the potential of this community. His legacy lives on in the partnerships he forged, the projects he championed, and the countless lives he touched along the way.
During the celebration, a joint city and county Proclamation honoring Tony was read by Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn and a representative of the Hancock County Commissioners. Reflections of Tony and his legacy were shared by Former Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Director Tim Mayle; University of Findlay Associate Professor Dr. Hiro Kawamua, who worked closely with Tony and will also share sentiments from the Suzuki family; Lydia Mihalik, former Mayor of Findlay and current Director of Development for the State of Ohio, and Pat Sadowski, Vice Chair of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Council. Mike Iriti, Tony’s son, shared reflections on behalf of the family.