A Lifetime's Friendship

BY SUSIE MONK, LONDON, ENGLAND
I first met Tony nearly 21 years ago, when I went to work for him as a temporary secretary for 4 days. Within 4 minutes, I knew it would be a lifetime’s friendship. In those first few days, he was kind, patient, a good teacher of all things, fun, charismatic and dynamic – and everything else that he still is and always will be to me. He has been a wonderful friend and great strength to me – always giving good advice and never shying away from being frank and honest with me, when I needed it!

Such was the strength of our newfound friendship that a few months later, he asked me to go back and work with him on, what turned out to be, the last ever Radio Drama that he directed for Capital Radio, here in London. We had a ball! Tony was as generous of his time and patience as ever and I loved every minute of it.

I was privileged to be introduced to Linda and Simon and like to think that I have become a ‘family friend’. Over the years, I have seen them individually, all together, or a combination of both! When Tony was in America, we kept in touch and he would always call me within 24 hours of his return to London to fix a date for a catching up session. We had our little routine that we followed for years. I miss it.

Like everyone else who has written on this site, Tony came into my life like a whirlwind, but will never leave it.

God bless you, Tony, and keep you safe.