Tributes
Leave a tributeMiss you terrible.
Nancy
and when you left us we all mourned.
As time passes I find myself thinking
of all the wonderful times we had together
and my tears have turn to joy
Your light shine bright in my soul
and in celebration of your life
I light one more birthday candle.
Happy 61st birthday to my brother-in-law who feels like a brother and a friend to all of us
What I will remember most is not the project we worked on together or the many business trips we took together (although shortly I will post a fun photo from one of them) but you and your love of life, family and friends. I always admired and have been inspired by your curiosity and wide variety of interests.
Several days after your passing I wrote this for you. http://musadelamariposa.com/2014/06/05/all-is-well/. I think of you often.
The photos are great, by the way. Thank you to the family for sharing them with all of us. It's nice to have faces to go with all the people Tony talked about.
It is still difficult walking by your office everyday.
Over the last five years I learned so much about you. Family meant everything to you. I felt like I knew your parents, Rose, Jane, your children, and grandchildren. When Ray passed away, this hit you hard. You not only lost a brother, but you became the patriarch of the family - a role you took very seriously. The stories you shared about you and Mark left no doubt that the two of you shared such a special relationship.
You were an amazing cupcake maker. I will forever remember the Foothill Ranch bake sale to raise money for the Alzheimers Association. You made six cup cake hamburgers and fries wrapped in paper that had Skilled Healthcare printed all over it. An annonymous person bought one of your amazing cupcakes for $150.
I am so glad that we started as collleagues and got to become friends. Miss you.
"Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye, look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky. In the morning sunrise when all the world is new,
just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye; look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky. In the evening sunset, when all the world is through,
Just look for me and love me, and I'll be close to you.
It won't be forever, the day will come and then my loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.
Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye; look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky. Every waking moment, and all your whole life through just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.
Just wish me to be near you, and I'll be there with you."
RIP Uncle Tony I love you
Leave a Tribute
Miss you terrible.
Nancy
When I first meet Tony 27 years ago through my brother Mark, I meet this fairly shy but very handsome young man. He was very very shy, did not drive, did not have a check book. Immediately I loved this guy, as everyone does. He had a sense of humor that got me by surprise. I did not know if he was joking or he was serious. But I just looked in his eyes and saw that twinkle.
At this time period also meet his teenage kids and saw how much kindness and patience he had with them. They had the teenage stuff going on of which he worked through it with them, without judgment but guidance and love.
He was working as a health aide caring for the sick and elderly. He went to college while worked full time. When he received his nursing degree, his mother and dad came to the graduation from Nebraska. To me they seemed very frail. Tony was so tender with them, especially his mother who he doted over. After the graduation ceremony we went to Mark's and Tony's home for lunch. Tony made sure they were comfortable, had everything they needed. I could tell they were so very proud of their Anthony.
Tony continued to educate himself in the health field and continued to be promoted thought the ranks.
When we all lived in Denver, every Sunday and major holidays, a group of us called the “Shoe Sisters” would share dinners, moments, laughs, many bottles of wine. We shared good moments together as well as sad moments. This was our family, the Shoe family. We even went camping together. He was a fish out of water in this environment but he played along.
The Lewis family, just adopted him into the family from the moment we meet him. He adopted us all despite my brother’s devious humor about our family. Tony had to have a good sense of humor to hang with Mark all these years. (just kidding) During our wild family reunion, Tony would some times just sit watch the family dynamics and smile. Most times he would just jump into the activities feet first and enjoy the Lewis gatherings. And only once or twice he ran for cover.
I watched him grow out of his shyness, learned to drive, and became a top executive. Tony even got a checkbook and charge cards which he surely enjoyed. I have never known someone to transform his life as much as Tony. He was intelligent, thoughtful, kind, and played well with others. His addition to my family, has been a blessing that I am grateful for. He has and always will hold a special place in my heart.
My life has been enriched knowing him which I will treasure and before grateful.
Peaceful travels, my Anthony. I will miss you