Raising the Glass

BY SHIRLEY HARRISON, TONY'S COUSIN, SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND
Over the forty-odd years that I have known Tony, he has given me so much wise and helpful advice, from what not to wear to how to deal with major crises, every utterance made with such graceful elegance. The last time he wrote to me from the USA was to send a spine-stiffening and morale-boosting letter to help me cope with a recent diagnosis of breast cancer. Typically, he gave me some very clear and sensible advice - no woolly sentimentalising! - for which I was, and still am, extremely grateful.

Last time I saw Tony he was sitting ramrod straight and beautifully turned out in a hospital chair. We had a very civilised conversation, as always. The fact that he subsequently had to ask Linda "Who was that charming young woman?" was sad, but in the end peripheral to the relationship we have had for so many years.

So I am with all the other contributors to this website in celebrating Tony. Heaven knows how many events I have celebrated with him and his family - all those Christmases, birthdays, weddings, all those excessively (for a Brit) cold and dry martinis, all those glasses of champagne.

In fact, I think I'll raise a glass right now. Here's to you, Tony!