October 25, 1927 - June 24, 2022
Our lives will be forever changed, now that Dad/Grandad/Tony is no longer at the end of the phone, or welcoming us with a ready smile and a joke or a story.
Tony was born in Wheaton Aston, England, and was a silversmith, a member of the RAF and a ‘Bobby’ (and motorcycle police officer) with the Birmingham Police. Upon immigrating to Canada, he joined the OPP (stationed in Barrie, Elmvale, Brechin and Beaverton) until his retirement in March, 1984. He was one of the first officers in “Ident”, learning photography and processing his own negatives in the laundry room.
He and Margaret, his beloved wife of 68 years, were avid dancers, sailors, animal lovers, travellers, campers, canoeists, kayakers, log home builders and poker players. In his spare time, Tony was co-founder (with Margaret) of the Hillsdale YMCA, and a martial arts (Judo) instructor who also built and ran the Okatani Judo Club in Orr Lake. He was a talented musician, playing a multitude of instruments, including guitar and banjo. (His band, “Tony’s Turkeys”, was legendary in Florida!) He could turn his hands to anything, could fix anything that was broken and was proficient in art, carpentry and stone masonry.
To Tony’s great sorrow, Margaret passed away suddenly in 2019. Even after her death, she was a part of his every thought.
He leaves behind three children - Anne (Ray), Mark (Susan), and Susan, as well as four grandchildren - Ryan (Alyssa), Shaun (Josanne), Jack and Daniel (Lauren), and his great grandchild, Ethan, with another highly anticipated addition, due in November, from Shaun and Josanne. He was so incredibly proud of his entire family, which included Margaret’s brother Peter and his family, and the family of his much-missed brother, Brian. Friday, the furry wonderdog, was a frequent companion.
When the time came that Tony needed extra care, he was able to count not only on his family, but also on Jill Baird, who got him through some of his most challenging days, weeks and months of his life, and Tracey Park, with her strong hands, generous heart and sense of fun that brightened his every day.
Thank you - with our deepest gratitude - to the Birchmere staff members who took the time to visit and laugh and make every day personal and positive, and to his friends who called, wrote, emailed, visited, or even just thought of him, never letting him forget that he was important, and that his life had made a
difference to them.
Dad, we were truly blessed to have you with us for so long and we will miss the music, your incredible strength, the laughter and most of all, the unconditional love. A man so strong - so present and so loved - will be a part of our lives forever.
There will be no formal service for A.W. Eccleshall, as per his wishes. Instead, a tribute will be shared with friends and family at a later date. If you have photos or memories of Tony that you would like to share, please send them to [email protected] .