Anthony Osei was born in Oxford, England on 11 March 1969 to Mrs Edith Osei and Mr Hammond Kwame Osei. He was the younger brother of Mavis, who doted on him. He was a happy active child who enjoyed playing with his toy cars. The family left the UK for Accra, Ghana in 1974 and Teshie Nungua Estates. This was a wonderful community where families knew one another and children played together - many a football match took place at home with his friends. Anthony continued his primary education at Christ The King International School whose school motto “That all may be one” resonated throughout Anthony’s life.

Anthony went on to Achimota School, making many lifetime friends with his easy, likeable nature and good sense of humour. He completed his O and A levels as a science student. Over the past weeks, Anthony has frequently been described as “genuine” and this is evident in how he has maintained strong bonds of friendship from the days of his youth.

After sixth form Anthony returned to the UK and studied at the University of Westminster, London, where he took a BA in Mechanical engineering – a throwback to those many evenings in Oxford playing with his toy cars.

Student days offered the chance for growth in character with his time conscientiously split between lecturers and studies, and evening jobs to make ends meet. Again, some of the strongest bonds of friendship were made during this period.  Anthony was also a sought-after DJ at parties and events during this time onwards.

As many have attested that Anthony constantly encouraged others in their endeavours, Anthony continually strove to improve himself as well. He entered and graduated from Leeds University with an MSc in Information Systems.

Professionally, Anthony held himself to the same high standards he encouraged of others. He worked successfully with Keane Inc. Consultancy as an implementation Consultant working in different parts of the UK and Ireland until 2002 and with JP Boden & Co Ltd as an Information Analyst until 2004.

Anthony’s long career with the National Health Service began in 2004 as a Community IT Project Manager working with a trust. This led to promotions within NHS Connecting for Health (today known as Health & Social Care Information Centre) most recently in July 2014 to Programme Manager, supporting Trusts with the deployment of the Lorenzo IT system. Even on his last working day, Anthony was engaged in an exam for furthering his knowledge and competencies. Anthony was a well-respected and popular colleague, as corroborated by the many tributes from current and past colleagues.

Anthony was a devoted husband and partner to Sheila, his dear wife and life partner of seventeen years. Together they shared Anthony’s love of expanding his horizons through travel.  This took them  through Europe, several African countries, the east and west coast of the USA as well as the Holy Land.

In his spare time, Anthony ‘s love for football continued, loyal to QPR, from his White City student days, Arsenal and Barca. He was an active “Akora” (former students of Achimota school) in particular during the fundraising events of his 1987 year group during their 25th anniversary commemoration in 2012.

In an adult life, Anthony dedicated himself to the work of God. He grew in his own faith and guided and encouraged others in theirs. He became a counsellor and was ordained a pastor in the Deliverance Outreach Ministry.

With outstanding God-given social skills, Anthony met people where they were. He was very approachable and embracing, He had a gift of being present, and achieving an individual relationship with all those whose paths he crossed. He counselled and encouraged - or merely accompanied - many along his way, quietly inspiring, never condemning. A consummate gentleman, with a great sense of style, Anthony’s broad or teasing smile or broad spontaneous laugh was never far away. His peaceful nature belied a steely determination and a great inner strength and energy to get things done, which he certainly did, in the service of God.

Anthony is survived by his wife Sheila, his mother Edith and his sister Mavis, nephews and nieces, godsons and goddaughters, and a multitude of friends who each and all will miss him dearly.