Tony Smith (age 62)
Funeral at Tunbridge Wells, 2 May 2002
Edited version of Address given by Rev. Dick Dengate.
Tony came from a close family, one of four children who always got on well. He was born in Kensington in 1939, and brought up in Hounslow, where he went to school. He became a member of the Salvation Army when he was about 13. The reason seems to be that he had heard Eddie Calvert on the radio playing ‘O my papa’, and he wanted to lean the cornet so he could play for his father. Thus began his lifelong enthusiasm for banding, his next step being almost as surprising when he joined the Territorial Army to improve his banding skills. When he left school Tony’s father persuaded him to do an apprenticeship in electronics. Later he worked for Firestone Tyre Company for a time. Eventually he moved down to Bexhill with the builder merchants, M.P. Harris , also working in their branches at Eastbourne and Northiam. Tony’s current job was with C.P. Supplies as branch manager at Strood, a job which he did well , although he was sometimes too conscientious, allowing himself to worry at home about details of his work.
Tony and his wife Mo met at dancing lessons in Hastings, and they were married in Tunbridge Wells some 29 years ago. They set up home in a rather isolated bungalow near Sissinghurst, which they found to be a fun place to live, surrounded by badgers and other wild life, and they lived there for about three years. The only move of their married life was to their home in Hendley drive Cranbrook, a stones throw away from the band practice room.
Over the last decade or so they have enjoyed some great holidays going to America or driving down to Spain , going to Ibetha, and last year visiting Lourdes . Two years ago Tony fulfilled a dream when they visited the Grand Canyon and also went to Death Valley in California . Tony would take months of planning details of these trips on his computer, although other plans were not always so careful, he once walked miles to take some pictures of a lighthouse, only to find he had no film in his camera.
Tony’s quiet façade has disguised a character of some depth and a great sense of humour. He has also been quite adventurous in physical pursuits. He went gliding on his 50th birthday, and later had some lessons. When he was at Bexhill he became interested in sea diving and wind surfing. On his 60th birthday we was given a course in para-gliding and greatly enjoyed it even though he hated heights.
All in all he was quite a rounded personality. It was truly a privilege to know him. We join Mo and the family now as companions as well as supporters in his loss and in thanksgiving for all that Tony shared with us. There could be no better tribute to Tony than the presence of Cranbrook Town Band at his memorial service. Just 10 days previously Tony had been with them at a contest in Hove, where they came third overall.
Tony had been a staunch supporter and regular player with band since the 1970’s and had covered numerous Cornet positions. The band played one of Tony’s favourite pieces ‘American Pie’ at the end of service.