Tony and I just clicked with each other during the interview for the job, and our friendship grew from that day, we were much more than work colleagues.
Tony was an absolute rock, giving me support in the workplace in some challenging times, but also we shared a laugh on a regular basis and had more lighthearted moments – I remember one one particular line, which he assured me was a compliment ‘There are times when one of us wants to put you out of the window, but the rest will be outside waiting to catch you’.
As well as his main team members, Mark, Nathan, Tom, and Joe, Tony also had a number of younger people on development placements all of whom who he readily took under his wing, showing them how to practically apply the written requirements of the work, which I am sure will stay with them for many years to come.
For me it was the help outside of work, he offered to help me with a large amount of paving – which in reality was him doing the work and me providing him some help and some hinderance – it was a lottery each time I brought him a barrow full of mortar and I would be the subject of some light hearted and much deserved ridicule, usually along the lines of ‘Its not supposed to be like soup’. He challenged me as to why I got the smallest shovel, and also why him and Ruddy got wheelbarrows that steered like boats and mine didn’t, well there had to be some benefits for not having ever been to the gym. Anyone with any house related issues would go to Tony for his advice, which was always sound.
Even when he had made the move to France we would have long chats on the phone and chat to see how things were going, again having some laughs, but he also helped me when I was going through a difficult time with my mental health. I enjoyed seeing the photos of the work that he had completed on his many projects, always impressed by the quality and the speed at which he got things done. I never did get to get out and see him and have that glass of Malbec that we often talked about, but I have raised a glass in his memory.
Tony, a rock of a man, with a heart of gold. Will miss you big man.