Anthony Bryant Brinegar, 66, passed away on March 27, 2026, in Niles, Michigan. Affectionately called “Tony” by most and “Bone” or “Dad” by those who knew him best, he lived a life marked by craftsmanship, deep appreciation for nature, and faith in his heavenly Father.

Born on April 6, 1959, in Gravette, Arkansas, to Winfred and Odessa Brinegar, Tony was brought home to a wooden frame house built by his father’s hands and welcomed by his brother, Kerry and sister, Susan, who thought he was her very own baby doll.

Growing up surrounded by sawdust and sawhorses, tools and tape measures, Tony had many creative outlets. His teen years were filled with fast cars, cousins and dirt bikes. When he met an green-eyed girl named Linda, he found his best friend for the next forty-eight years. They married on August 14, 1977.

Together they visited most states and many Central and South American countries, Italy, Ireland and Scotland, his personal favorite. He loved Irish culture so much, he returned twice and even purchased a custom made kilt, which he wore on special occasions.

Tony was a master finish carpenter whose skill and artistry were evident in every project he touched. He had a particular passion for restoring structures that others overlooked, bringing new life to places rich with history—from a 1754 stone farmhouse in Pennsylvania to an 1876 one-room brick schoolhouse in Michigan.

His greatest joy was found in nature, especially on his 160-acre wilderness homestead in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There, he cultivated a sanctuary where birds, mammals, amphibians, ferns, trees, wildflowers, and butterflies flourished. A devoted birder, Tony recorded an impressive life list of 650 species and 113 species observed on his homestead alone. Evenings were often spent beside a warm fire, windows open, listening to the hauntingly beautiful calls of nesting Trumpeter swans, sounds he described as angels harmonizing with their instruments.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, his children, Shaun and Angela, (Rick); grandchildren, Paul, Ezra, and Lyra; and his great-grandchild, Lily May, and his sister, Susan. He leaves behind a legacy of skill, curiosity, restoration, and reverence for the natural world.

Tony will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by loved ones who look forward to seeing him again when holy angels blow their trumpets and call everyone home to heaven.