Tony Singleton

I have great memories as a child catching up with the singletons. I especially remember the amazing relationship that Tony and Cheryl had. They truly are soulmates. My thoughts are with all of you at this very sad time.

Tony was one of the kindest people I’ve ever known. His greatest joy and proudest achievement was his family, whom he loved fiercely and devoted himself to completely. Alongside his love for soccer, they were the centre of his world.

I’ve known Tony and his family for as long as I can remember – quite literally since I was a baby. Through so many chapters of life, both joyful and difficult, he was a steadfast friend to me and my family. He showed up when it mattered, offering support, laughter and friendship without hesitation.

Tony had a gift for making everyone feel welcome. He was the life and soul of every room he entered, someone who loved a good time and who seemed to collect friends everywhere he went. His warmth, generosity and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him.

He also shared a particularly special relationship with our beloved Angry Cat. Despite her feisty nature, Tony adored her and delighted in teasing her, even if it occasionally earned him a swipe from her claws. I like to think she’s found him again now, keeping him company and reminding him who’s really in charge.

There is comfort in imagining Tony reunited with his mum and brother, held once more in the love of those he missed so dearly. And I hope he’s also had the chance to find our Seanie, who I know would have been there to greet him with open arms.

Thank you, Tony, for your kindness, your friendship, your laughter, and for showing us all what unwavering devotion to family looks like. You will be deeply missed, fondly remembered, and forever loved.

Sending all of my love and support to Cheryl, Scott, Lauren, Uncle Steve and Elle xxx

Dear Tony,
Thank you.
Thank you for being our best friend.
Thank you for all the good times we shared, all the fun and laughter, all the happiness and joy our families had together.
Thank you for your advice and help over the years and on so many occasions; we really appreciate that.
Thank you for being a true gentleman, a true gentle man.
Thank you for the memories - we will hold on to them, all of them, there are so many.
Thank you, Tony.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Cheryl, Lauren, Scott, Elle and Steve.

When I started working for Howard Williams at Sage in 1998, Tony came to introduce himself to me. He said “you are coming to work with me”. That was 28 years ago. The man I met that day, was the same Tony, maybe just a bit wiser, that we all have come to know and love.

Tony was one of the kindest, most caring and humble people I have met. He treated everyone with care and respect, during good times and bad times.

We shared many “Tuna salads” when Mrs Singleton alluded to some weight concerns over the years😁. I was privileged enough to have shared lunch with Tony and Cheryl in April. Such a lovely visit and I will treasure it forever.

Cheryl, Lauren, Elle, Uncle Steve and Scott I am sending all my love to all of you.

One of my favourite memories is of a beautiful lazy lunch at Abbiocco,
Cheryl and Mike ordered ice cream and chocolate sauce, and in true Tony fashion and his dry sense of humour he turned to our waiter and said “Angie and I will have another slice of wine thank you” What beautiful memories we have our wonderful friend always the master of discretion, never choosing sides, always listened to both sides of the argument no judgment. Oh how we will miss you and your advice and your unwavering love and support. I know you are always with us. Rest easy my sweet Tony all our love always. Mike and Angie

“May his memory always be a blessing.”

When I think of Tony, I remember someone who always made time for others. Whenever you spoke with him, he gave you his full attention, asking about you and your family with genuine interest and care. He always had a warm smile, a joke to brighten the moment, and a story ready to share.

Tony was a magnet for people. His kindness, warmth, and generosity drew everyone around him, and his presence will be deeply missed.

He was at his happiest surrounded by family and friends, or out on the golf course doing what he loved. In his younger years, he was a gifted footballer, and that team spirit, sportsmanship, and determination stayed with him throughout his life. He approached life with the same camaraderie and generosity that made him such a wonderful teammate, friend, and role model.

His memory reminds me of what it truly means to be a gentleman and a friend. May his memory always be a blessing, and may the example he set continue to encourage, support, and inspire all of us, always … YNWA

So much love for T & C

So many amazing memories of a friendship spanning more than 60 years. I will always remember us playing golf in competitions at Royal Lytham St.Annes and other great courses like Pleasington to name just two. Besides golf we had so many eventful and good times before your move to South Africa. So good to see you on your visits to the UK. You leave behind an amazing family and friends who will miss you deeply but will treasure the memories made together.
RIP Tony Far too soon

I’ll always remember Tony with a wry smile on his face. Softly spoken and passionate about his family, his business and his football team. I’ll miss the regular texts and banter, in Ballito and in Cape Town. May the memories of you be a blessing to your loved ones always. RIP

There are so many stories we can tell about our special times we spent with Tony but the one that comes to mind is the night we spent in Clarens in Georgies house where we all bunked together to sleep in the same room. Tony was on top form joking that he could now tell his friends that not only did he sleep with his sister in law but he also slept with his brother in law, and that followed by many more. Never have we laughed so much that between the tears running down our faces and sore bellies we finally got to sleep with 'Good Night John Boy'!
Tony, you were the most special person to have touched our lives, you were my mentor, my brother in law, the godfather to my daughter, my friend and the person I respected most of all. You were my hero. RIP till we meet again.

I met Tony at Sage in 1993. And he immediately made me feel welcome. We both had a passion for Liverpool and golf. And this set up a great friendship for years to come. I had the pleasure of being on many golf tours having him as my partner, and taking cash off many pigeons, Duke and Andile comes to mind. Tony was like an older brother, someone I can always turn to for advice. And who was always willing to assist. He had a wonderful sense of humor.
Tony I will always remember our great times and will share many castle light draughts in your memory. YNWA

My parents were friends with Tony's parents, the lovely Aunty Becky and Uncle Steve, before we were born. As Paula said, the couples started out as friends, but they quickly became much more than that with Tony and Mark being like big brothers.

There were so many family get-togethers filled with tennis, swimming, braais, beer, laughter, stories, and wonderful memories, many of which Uncle Steve and I have been reminiscing about this week ❤️. They were such special times with Mark, Tony, and all the other kids.

Tony was always a very special man. He adored his parents and, after we lost Aunty Becky, he devoted himself to looking after Uncle Steve, always making sure there was a cold beer in the fridge and a golf club in the garage!

Although we ended up living in different countries, thanks to Facebook and Messenger we always stayed in touch, teasing each other about football scores and celebrating (or commiserating over!) our teams' successes and failures. As a Liverpool fan, Tony certainly had far more reasons to celebrate than us Hammers 🤣. The kids still remember him and Cheryl visiting us for a braai when they were in the UK.

It breaks my heart that he is no longer with us, and I cannot begin to imagine how you are all feeling. He was a warm, loving man who touched so many hearts ❤️. I will always treasure my memories of him and our time in South Africa, and I will always think of him as family.

Sending all my love to you all as you navigate this incredibly difficult journey. May Tony rest in peace and be reunited with his beloved mum and brother in his final resting place ❤️

When I met Tone’s I thought, shit, Cheryl’s hubby (I knew her first), is an English gentleman, I better mind my P’s & Q’s…
I was half right; he is such a gentleman but Fuck the P’s & Q’s!!
Tony has such a wicked sense of humour that contains no judgement, we will miss that 😊
Tony has left a mark on my heart! Anyone that leaves a mark on your heart is incredible…. and Tony is!
Thank you, Tony, for being my friend and thank you more for loving my friend. I promise that I will always be there for C, because I love you and C, and you mean the world to me.
I will miss you and that sucks!

YNWA!

I met Tony when he joined Tramway Football Club in 1976. He played left back with a cultured left peg and was as hard as nails. On the field he left nothing behind, but off the field he was a total gentleman. He had a great sense of humour and was well like by the Tramway lads. I'm going to miss our catch ups, be it in Cape Town with the Tramway boys or in London.
Rest in peace ...YNWA

Tony was an incredible leader, mentor, and friend. Every time we exchanged messages, he would always ask about my family, showing a genuine care for others that went far beyond the workplace.

On Thursday online meetings, I would often have to rush off to drop my son off to school, and Tony would always take the time to chat with him. He left such a positive impression that when my son heard the news, he asked, "Did Uncle Tony pass away?" and said, "He was such a nice uncle."

Tony consistently encouraged me to pursue my studies and never failed to offer words of comfort and support whenever things did not go as planned. His kindness, wisdom, and encouragement made a lasting difference in my life and in the lives of so many others.

He will be deeply missed, but his legacy of compassion, generosity, and genuine care for people will live on. My thoughts and prayers are with Cheryl, Lauren, Scott, and the entire family during this difficult time.

May he rest in eternal peace.

Some people leave a lasting impression simply by being genuinely kind, and that was Tony.

I’ll always remember him as the friendly guy with a warm smile, a great sense of humour, and a way of making everyone around him feel welcome. He never seemed to have a bad word to say about anyone, and his kindness came so naturally.

School memories are made special by people like Tony, and it’s sad to think that one of the good ones has left us far too soon.

Rest peacefully, Tony. Thank you for the smiles, the laughter, and the kindness you shared so freely. You will be remembered with great affection and sadly missed. My sincere condolences to all who loved him 🌹🙏🏻

Tony was a mentor, a friend and a steady presence we could always count on.
On the golf course, he was an absolute joy to be around with his incredible sense of humour. I won't admit how much money he took off me over the years, but those rounds, the conversations, the laughter, and the banter will stay with me forever.

In the office, he had a way of cutting straight through complexity like I've never seen matched. We'd spend hours wrestling with a problem, only to find he'd already solved it, scribbled on the back of a business card. That was Tony, sharp and clear. He grew us, mentored us, challenged us, supported us, and sometimes pushed us further than we thought we could go.

The true measure of Tony's success, though, is in his family. How he spoke about them, the warmth, the pride, the love in every story. That's where his heart truly lived. And everyone privileged enough to know him felt that same depth of care.

Liverpool's anthem says it best: You'll Never Walk Alone. And with Tony, we never did.

Thank you, Tony, for your friendship and guidance. You will be deeply missed, and never forgotten.

Cheryl, Scott and Elle, Lauren, and Uncle Steve, you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Tony and I go back to Plumstead High School days.
We played hockey and cricket for the same team. Our real passion was soccer and Tony played left back and I played right back for Black and Decker in the business men's league. While I served in the Navy we regularly played squash at Youndsfield army base using my permanent force id card. We great times at the Hotel Elizabeth in Sea Point at the rather upmarket disco. Mainstay and sparkling lemon. I'll always remember Tony and the white Ford Corsair. Forries, the Old Standard, the Pig and Whistle and Canterbury inn at the Palace hotel and the Ronderbosch town hall sessions. Memories tooooooo many to mention. Tony's mum and dad were amazing and he inherited his wicked sense of humour from them . He will be sadly missed and remembered with great fondness. Cheryl, Lauren and Steve you're in our thoughts and prayers.

I met Tony when we were at UCT together in the early 70s. His sense of humour, his positive outlook on life and kindness meant it was a real privilege to be his friend. Always thought we’d meet up again someday somewhere for a beer or two. Great memories of a great guy. Thoughts with Cheryl and family at this very sad time.

I have so many - From many many hours at Sandton Football club through to a few magic dinners and rounds of Golf - Tony was one of the kindest people I know and that sharp sense of humour kept us all wanting more- Tony you played a bigger part in my life than you will ever know and you will be very much missed - Greg Smith

I first met Tony in Cape Town in the 1970s. My parents were friends with his parents, the lovely Aunty Becky and Uncle Steve. They started out as friends, but they quickly became so much more than that. After we moved to South Africa from the UK, we had very little family around us, and they embraced us as if we were their own. Becky and Steve naturally became Aunty Becky and Uncle Steve, and Tony and Mark were like the big brothers we never had.

Growing up, there were so many family get-togethers filled with laughter, stories, and wonderful memories that I'll always treasure. Those times together are such a special part of my childhood, and Tony was always at the heart of them with his warmth, kindness, and gentle nature.

One thing that has always stayed with me was the love Tony and Cheryl shared. Even as a young girl, I remember seeing how devoted they were to each other, and I used to think that one day I hoped I would have a relationship just like theirs. It was obvious to everyone who knew them how much they loved and respected one another.

Although the years have taken us to different places and life has become busy for all of us, we've always kept in touch whenever we could. No matter how much time passed, we've always thought of the Singletons as family because that's exactly how they treated us - with love, generosity, and open arms.

I can't begin to imagine the sadness you are all feeling right now. Tony was a truly wonderful man who touched so many lives. He will be remembered not only for his kindness and his infectious smile, but also for the love he gave so freely to his family and friends. I feel incredibly fortunate to have known him and to have so many happy memories of growing up with him in our lives.

Sending all my love to Cheryl and the entire Singleton family. My thoughts are with you all during this incredibly difficult time. Tony will never be forgotten.
xxx

Tony Singleton – Born 19550602

I met Tony in 1984 after joining Ned-Equity, a life assurance company based in Braamfontein. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves in each other’s company due to our interests in sport and both being soldiers in the war against dehydration. We were both particularly interested in football, Tony being a Liverpool supporter who were riding high in Division 1, while my team Newport County had been relegated from Division 4 and would forever be known as the Exiles. Both of us had at one time played football at the Wanderers in Johannesburg and I wished we had been closer in age as we could have probably played together.
While working together at Ned Equity (whose name had changed to Sage Life), we were both heavily involved in the company’s acquisition of National Mutual. Tony (and Cheryl) moved to Cape Town so he could oversee the day-to-day activities of the newly acquired company. Takeovers can be ugly transactions, and I was always impressed by Tony’s handling of personnel issues and motivating staff members. This relationship led to many humorous situations that I was witness too.
Although I left Sage 4 years later, we remained close friends and probably saw each other at least once a week. If it wasn’t enjoying a libation or two or three….. it was on the golf course or (surprisingly) on bicycles. Riding side by side in events like the 94.7 or on our best trip with Clive Johnson on the R62, the road that runs from Worcester to Oudtshoorn. On that trip to add a bit of variety, we included 18 holes of golf in Bonnievale and Oudtshoorn, both nice courses….note no golf carts, clubs carried in a bag over the shoulder.
In recent years, Tony, Clive, Richard and I combined to form the Molly Brigade. The name was derived from a local Fourways pub named Molly Malones and it was our regular watering hole on Monday nights. Drinks were usually served by a gentleman named Joe, who shared Tony’s enthusiasm for Liverpool FC. So three of us had to listen to Tony’s and Joe’s boring ball by ball comments on the weekend game, much like listening to Bridge Players postmortems.
I think Tony’s involvement in the expansion of Turnberry is well known. The business has certainly outstripped all expectation and is an example of what can be achieved by vision and hard work.
At this stage, I would like to add a couple of comments about the Singleton family members. Apart from loving his children dearly, quite justifiably Tony was so proud of Lauren and Scott and their achievements. As for Cheryl, how many times has it been said “Behind every successful man is a ……… “. No man could ever have wanted more support.
This support since December has been amazing and Cheryl has done everything possible for Tony’s well being and made his last months’ so comfortable.
Tony touched so many lives and those who have been in contact with him have all benefited and his memory will remain in our hearts forever
RIP Tony
NLB 20260626

Tony and I are almost exactly the same age - in fact I was originally due on 2 June and Tony on the 4th but, as ever, Tony just beat me to it! Strangely, and in spite of lack of contact in the early years, our careers followed similar paths in the insurance industry although Tony stuck it out longer than I did and maintained his commitment to the business throughout. I’ll miss my exchanges with Tony and catching up with his trips. My family and I send condolences and sincere best wishes to his loved ones. I thought I’d share this old photo of my Mum’s - Uncle Steve, Auntie Becky, Tony and Mark before they left for sunnier climes.

To dearest Tony, I've known you for about 10 years and just loved your passion about football in the Cape. Allan Wilson told about the tight friendship the two of you had. From my side I couldn't have met a more friendly person than you and together with your great sense of humour, it made you the most special person that you were. Will miss you bud. Jules