

Family is where life begins and love never ends
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This is dedicated to my Dad, Anthony, or Tony as he was always known. Tony was an identical twin and was always proud that he was the first born! He and John also had a younger brother, Roger. They all lived together in Edgware with their parents, Margaret and Arthur Sutton. Dad loved his family - the last time I saw him his focus was on talking about how lucky he was to have such a lovely family. He also said he was happy in the care home and thought we lived in a lovely place on the south coast. Dad was married to my Mum, Barbara, for 58 years although had known her throughout much of his life - since they were at school. Dad grew up in Edgware, Middlesex and was proud that he went to Downer Grammar School. He went onto University of London where he achieved a BSc degree in chemistry. Dad and Mum were married in July 1966 and had a daughter, me, Karen in December 1966. We all lived in Suffolk until I was nearly 2 years of age when we moved to Leagrave, in Bedfordshire. Dad worked as a pharmaceutical rep for Boots and later for Duphar. Dad also qualified as a teacher in later life. In 1972 the family grew with the birth of my brother, David who was born in Luton. Dad enjoyed holidays - and would have great joy in telling stories of his travels - with funny anecdotes. Dad was always interested in politics and would enjoy banter about key figures. In later years we moved to Eastbourne and then we moved to Hailsham. Dad enjoyed celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary with a cream tea surrounded by family and friends. He also enjoyed going on cruises with Mum, David and his wife Barbara. Dad also enjoyed holidays to Tenerife, Italy and visiting places on the cruises. In Dad's twilight years he developed vascular dementia and for the last 3 years was in a residential care home. We were fortunate that Dad's illness never impacted on him knowing who we were, and he loved our visits where his face would light up. Dad enjoyed celebrating his birthday, wedding anniversary and a wedding celebration for me and my wife, Jan in July 2023. He loved spending time with my Mum, singing along to the singers they had visit the care home. He would also love seeing his grand-daughter, Camilla and his great-grandchildren, Amelia, Kol and Remi. We were blessed that Dad got to meet Remi on 23rd December 2024. Dad was intelligent, although his dementia meant he forgot things in the short term if you had him on your side in a game or a quiz you would win - his general knowledge and science was amazing! He never forgot those things. Dad would also ask how everyone was when we visited and want to find out any news. Dad was incredibly funny, always cracking jokes, laughing and smiling. He would often make jokes about people in the care home and would equally tell other residents off if they were interrupting his visits. Dad was loving, kind, supportive and above all his given me his legacy of continuing to look after our family whom he was so incredibly proud of. Dad was an inspiration - a true gentleman.
Tony, my Dad, was a man in a million. X
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But all great times must come to an end at some point and this was your time.
But you will be with us in our travels from now on.





My Dad to me was an extraordinary man with a big heart and a beautiful soul and he illuminated my world my so much love, kindness and laughter. Together with my Mum they taught us the importance of family, values, education and good manners and guided me to the woman I am today. As a young girl my memories of our family life were Sundays for tea with Nanny and Winnie, reading us stories, helping with homework, piano practice and encouraging us to do well. I can also recall a time David and I were made to sit at the table as we wouldn’t eat our spinach. We tried to feed it to Cindy but she didn’t like it either. I can remember days out to safari parks, taking us to London to see the lights, going with you on road trips in the holidays whilst you were working, holidays with our families and big Christmas celebrations. An early memory is taking me and David to watch Star Wars at the cinema, watching Doctor Who and James Bond movies, as well as helping you with a big extension to the house. I still love my James Bond movies and they are a comfort in a memory of time together. I remember with a smile your funny ways of waking us up – with a cold, wet flannel which you thought was hilarious and we did not! You were proud of everything we achieved – you gave us the best start in life and I am eternally grateful.
As I grew older I would always turn to you for advice and I recall your answer was always to make a joke and get us cheese on toast. I always thought you knew the answer to every problem there ever was. If you didn’t know the answer no-one would. You always made me feel the greatest depth of love. I never doubted how much you loved me, and I am pretty certain you knew how much I loved you. A kiss on the forehead and a gentle touch of the hand was always our goodbye ritual. I am glad we shared this on the last time I saw you.
Dad, when I look in the mirror I see you in my reflection –you are and always will be my hero and my inspiration. I see so much of you in me – even down to sharing bad habits. Eating snacks late at night, being a night owl, obsessed with the news and making terrible jokes. You were by far the best Dad anyone could ever have wished for. You guided me to go to Uni and one of my proudest moments was you being at my graduation. That is a moment I will cherish always. You supported me whatever I did in life. I am grateful you told me the last time we talked that you were proud of what we had achieved. I will hold those words in my heart forever. The hardest part of my life has been accepting you are not here now. I am so grateful to have had you in my life for as long as I did.
You always made me feel the greatest warmth of love, your love for our family and Mum who you cherished and loved, and telling me that we had the best family was a memory I will treasure forever. You are and will always be my rock. …. Losing you, Dad, is like losing a part of my soul. You will forever remain my inspiration. I will forever hold you and everything you taught me close to Camilla, Amelia, Kol and Remi. They will be your legacy in life.
Though you have embarked on your final flight – your love within me burns ever bright. Though tears will fall and my heart aches, I will not break. For in the tapestry of my life you’ve woven your strength and love and our bond has not broken. Your laughter echoes in my dreams, In every sunrise, your spirit gleams. Your legacy, Dad, I’ll proudly bear, In every challenge, I’ll know you’re there. I know you will watch over us and we will be there for Mum. She will be surrounded with love and care and your memory will be forever cherished. As the Queen said “We are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love...and then we return home”. Rest easy now my darling Dad – I will forever love you until we meet again. XX

Service
We will be coming together to remember and pay tribute to Tony, son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grand-father and great-grandfather.
We want to cherish the special moments we shared with Tony and the joy and happiness he brought to all our lives. It would mean a great deal to his family if you would like to join us during this time of remembrance and reflection.
The funeral is at Eastbourne Crematorium and for everyone to gather to celebrate Tony's life at 57 Solway, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN273HB.
Any flowers or tributes to be sent to R Butler Funeral Directors - 5-7 Station Road, Hailsham, BN27 2BE
Any donations to Dementia UK - https://www.dementiauk.org/donate/
Hide Hollow, Eastbourne BN23 8AE
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623-6211