The following story, submitted by Holland-Springfield- Spencer Historical Society president Karla Miller, looks back at a boxing club in Springfield Township.
Golden Gloves in Springfield Township Does anyone remember when Springfield was represented by four graduates in a Golden Gloves Club?
Recently, Jesse Anaya visited the museum in Holland to see if we would like the robe and trunks worn by one of the boys. No one in the room knew of the club’s existence.
Jesse also had a ticket to a match at the Rec Center in Maumee. Later he brought in his blue and gold jacket that read Springfield Golden Gloves on the back and a DVD of a match.
He then proceeded to tell us the story of how it all came about. The four boys, all Springfield High School graduates, would go to Toledo to watch others box.
They were approached by a man who asked if they were interested in forming a team, as he was willing to be their coach. His name was Gus Partin.
Actually, there were three boys, as our story teller related he was tagging along with his brother. The three became a four-member club.
They began working out in a barn at Dorr Street and McCord Road, then to Strawberry Park Shelter House, and last to the little brick church at Springfield Cemetery on Airport Highway.
The pews had been removed and the little church was closed up. We all have memories of that little church but not as a boxing ring. This was in 1967-68.
The young men were brothers Jesse and Tony Anaya, Daniel E. Williams, and Daniel Lee Thomas. Who were they and where are they now?
Herman and Wanda Anaya moved to Geiser Road, Holland, in 1958 from Toledo with seven boys. Their son Anthony was born December 31, 1947, in Toledo. Tony graduated from Springfield High School in 1965, where he played football, basketball, track and wrestling.He married Donna Kreamner in Wood County June 12, 1970. They lived in Whitehouse, Ohio, had two daughters who graduated from Anthony Wayne. Tony worked in heating and air conditioning. He lives in Florida now.
Son Jesse Anaya was born January 2, 1949, in Toledo. Jesse graduated in 1966 from Springfield High School, where he played football and wrestling. After graduation, he worked for Metal Forming & Coining Inc. Maumee.
On August 24, 1968 he married Dianne Colvin. They lived in Holland, have two daughters who also graduated from SHS in 1989 and 1992. Jesse has five grandchildren with two of them graduating from SHS in 2018 and 2023.
Daniel E. Williams was born March 4, 1948, in Lucas County to George E. Williams born in Marion, Indiana and Charlotte Webb born in Toledo. Their home was on Crissey Road. Danny graduated from Springfield High School in 1966, where he played golf. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam. Later, he worked for Sabolt Inc.
He married Deborah S. Cully in Lucas County, had two children and lives in Toledo.
Daniel Lee Thomas was born May 6, 1947 in Lucas County, the son of Ernest 0. Thomas born in Illinois and Lulu Vickroy born in Ohio. They lived at 7212 Angola Road, Holland.
Danny graduated from Springfield High School in 1965, played baseball, basketball, bowling, track and football. ln 1968, Daniel became Golden Gloves Boxing Heavyweight Champion. He was a salesman at Kistler Ford.
Daniel Thomes died on a Sunday evening July 14, 1968, in a car accident on Manley Road in Maumee. He is buried in Centerville Cemetery, Swanton.
The Thomas and Anaya families were members of Providence Lutheran Church in Holland and the Anaya and Williams families were members of Springfield Township Fire Department No. 2, Crissey Road.
