I first met Tony in 1999 when he transferred to the London Bridge Jobcentre where I worked. We hit on immediately and were inseparable. It was like we used to say, brothers from another mother. It was like best friends at first sight. By the end of that year Tony had introduced me to the security business. We worked together, watching each other’s back through some rather tough times.
Over the years our friendship developed. We caused trouble in our office together, and even when he transferred to Peckham Jobcentre, I soon joined him. We stood up to our rather difficult customers together, backing each other up as we did when doing our security work. I managed Tony, but in spite of our friendship Tony always, always, gave me the respect as his manager, which I reciprocated when I worked for him at security jobs.
I remember when I met my future wife Sarah, Tony was probably the first person I told. In the very same way, the day after Tony met Ufuoma, he brought her to my house to introduce her to me and told me “my brother, I will marry this lady”.
When I decided to buy a property, who else would I turn to than my friend Tony? We looked at properties within walking distance of his house but finally found one about 6 minutes’ drive away. Even after I viewed the property the first time, I went to pick Tony up and we drove past to get a second opinion and with his approval I put in an offer. I was ecstatic I lived quite close to my friend.
Tony and I always knew we could talk frankly to each other and give compliments and support to each other, but we knew always that what we said was from the heart and honestly said. That is what friendship is.
Tony is the godfather to my first son who is also named after him. Forever I will see my son’s name and remember Tony.
Tony was a friend not just to my immediate family, but my wider family and friends. Everyone who met him remembered him and always asked after him. When I was to travel to Ghana in 2014 to commemorate the first anniversary of my father’s passing Tony said he would go along with me. For a long time, I thought it was a joke until he bought his ticket. What a time we had! My siblings are pained by his passing – my oldest sister cried when I informed her. They all asked that I express their condolences to Ufuoma and the family, as have colleagues we worked with – Beverley Smith, Mohammed Bah, Mark France, Victor Oyetunji and others.
Tony always was the life of the party, the glue that brought strangers together at any event. Tony put himself forward to help and gave himself up to his friends and family, a generous person, an open heart, my friend.
It still hasn’t hit me, I still cannot believe it, I shed my first tears as I wrote this tribute, and still…yet still… But I must say “Good bye my friend, sleep well, rest well in the hands of our Maker, until we meet again”. Sarah and I will miss you.
1 Thessalonians 4:14 – For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
John 11:25 – Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live”.
Rest in Perfect Peace!
