Obituary of Victor Antino Toliva

Victor A. Toliva was born on March 4, 1951 to Catherine Lowery and Lovell Toliva. Vic was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He attended Detroit Public Schools graduating from Pershing High School in 1969. He and his wife Lisa, met on August 15, 1990 and were married on April 25, 1992. As was his wish, on April 25, 2016 they were able to celebrate 26 years of togetherness. Vic's first job was with Chrysler. Discovering this was not his life's calling he soon quit and began a life long career in photography from which he retired in 2010 because of his cancer. Vic continued shooting for family, friends, and church until 2015. Vic was an accomplished commercial photographer. After studying in Rome, Italy he came home to the first of his three studios which was located over the Flaming Embers Restaurant in Detroit, Michigan. The second was in the Pioneer Building on East Grand River Boulevard in Detroit, Michigan, the third and final studio was located in the Eastern Market in Detroit, Michigan. He shot for Hudson's, Saks Fifth Avenue, Lord & Taylor, Revlon, Detroit Auto Show, Real Deal Records, WDC Radio, Thyssen Steel, Red Roof Inns, Dittrich Furs, Salon Nadwa, Face to Face Communications, Boopey Books Publishing Series, Grant Hill, Fred Hammond, Regina Boyd, "Lexi", Joyce Dozier McNichols, Dr. Marlin McNichols, Farron McNichols, Judge Leona L. Lloyd, Judge Leonia J. Lloyd, P. Diddy, Ubong, Keith Johnson, Seth E. Ortega, Shaneia Caldwell, Caroline Wyckoff, Danielle Anderson, Maddalena R. Mikola, Christina Griffin, Will Holcombe, Christopher Gates, Eric Shannon, Ann Wolf, Smensa Maxcy Namaganda, Ashlyn Polk, Deirdre Sullivan, Tracey Johnson, and numerous others. Vic rededicated his life to Christ in 2013 and attended First Baptist Church of Oak Park, Michigan where he reaffirmed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and was a valiant prayer warrior. Vic is preceded in death by his grandparents, Mac & Joallen Lowery, his parents, Lovell Toliva & Catherine Lowery, and his sisters, Elvira Handley (also known as Christy) and Vicki Williams (his twin). He leaves behind his wife, Lisa, his brother Ephraim Toliva and sister-in-law Pamela, his sister Robin Toliva, his sister Lori Toliva, his brother Joseph Toliva, his aunts Essie Moss, Azelene Bowerman (also known as Aunt Honey), and Alfreda Lawler, as well as numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces. Order of Service Welcome Deacon Hal Davis Opening Prayer Deacon Kevin Bradley Scripture Reading New Testament: John 14:1-4 Deacon Varney Holmes Old Testament: Psalm 23:1-4 Deacon Oliver Polk Hymn Our God is Awesome Remarks Family and Friends Eulogy Pastor Robert C. Reynolds Altar Call Pastor Robert C. Reynolds Hymn Blessed Assurance Closing Prayer Pastor Robert C. Reynolds Flower Bearers Friends and Family Final Arrangements Cremation Society of Michigan 15251 Harper Avenue Detroit, MI 48224 R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home 15451 Farmington Road Livonia, MI 48154 Service and Repast First Baptist Church of Oak Park 24201 Coolidge Hwy. Oak Park, MI 48237 November 19, 2016 at 2:00pm Acknowledgements The family of Victor A. Toliva wish to acknowledge with deep appreciation and sincere thanks the many comforting messages, floral tributes, prayers and many other expressions of kindness and concern extended at this time. We also wish to give a special thanks to First Baptist Church of Oak Park, Michigan for their love and support in our time of grief. We ask that all financial donations be given in Victor A. Toliva's name to the Barbara Karmanos Cancer Institute for cancer research.