The website of www.tonebrowne.com :

A Tribute to Tony from his friends:


My friend Tony or Tone as we often called him, was a devoted Husband, Son and Father....and of course to so many of us, a loving and much loved friend. The numbers gathered here today from so far and wide are testament to this.

So what can I tell you of this gentle and modest man, whom I loved like a Brother.

I, like many of you grew up with Tony in School and College. I still remember the boy with the mischievous twinkle in his eye, in no small part because he grew into a man with the same mischievous twinkle in his eye. From his cool motorcycle jacket to his short lived rakish moustache, Tony glowed with a gentle and pervasive charm that beguiled us all....male and more often female alike.

Tony was easy company and always welcoming. We all simply relaxed in his presence and always felt warmly embraced. Tony provided a reassuring Constant in our lives, a point to which we could all return for a grown up view of the world, a word of advice, a ready smile and cheeky wit, and if we needed it...a hot meal and bed for the night.

Simply being with Tony was a comfort, just like sitting in front of a big roaring fire with your favourite tipple, whether watching him play Guitar with Louis, laughing off the latest Wycombe defeat or just idly passing the time of day.

Tony, put in simple words, was a top bloke. Not a mean bone in his body. Never an unkind word spoken. As 7 year old Adam so poignantly said ‘Tony never made anyone sad until he died’.

Tony was also a leader, yet he managed to be without ever imposing himself. He helped organise, host, marshal and often subsidise most of our group holidays, the parties and events that have bound together his friends so tightly …. And with a bit more effort on our part will continue to do so.

He was a man of firsts amongst his friends ..... first to get a proper grown up job, first to succeed in work, first and only to show any musical flair, first to get married to the same beautiful woman … twice, first to ride blindfold atop a white horse only days after being struck down by dysentery, first to almost scalp himself on a Moroccan Nursery Ski Slope and some firsts which would make a Glaswegian docker blush and best not mentioned here in front of his wife and parents. But of all the things that Tony led us into first, it was fatherhood of which he could be most proud.

Tony was a brilliant dad and shared with Louis his generous spirit, sense of fun, musical aptitude, wit and so much more  that make Louis the son that any father would be proud of. He is definitely a chip off the old block ...and somehow, obviously from Tones wise armchair instruction, rather than any practical demonstration, Louis has developed into a very accomplished sportsman.

As I raise my own son, I will aspire to be the kind of father Tony was, though I will miss terribly the opportunity to seek his guidance. But as my son grows older I will recount loving and humorous stories of his Uncle Tone …. maybe when he is much older for some of them.

Recently of course Tony had to show a side of himself that we should hope and pray never to test in ourselves. Tony demonstrated what Bravery is....not the Bravado of his jungle trekking, bungee jumping mates, but deep and resolute courage. After his recent diagnosis and a brief time in hospital, Tony simply grit his teeth, raised his fists and went straight back to work, never losing that wit and charm that so endeared us to him. He still went on holiday with his friends and fought his way down to the beaches, losing at one bounce as he had always done. In the years to come Louis need look no further for a role model or hero figure ... Tony was and always will be that figure.

It was 15 years ago, almost to the day that I was Tony’s Best Man here and I felt deeply proud and honoured then, but now I am wholly more aware of what a very great honour it is to speak on behalf of his friends in remembrance of such a gentle man... a Gentleman in both nature and respect. How then should we remember Tone?....as a husband, father and dutiful Son, as brave and selfless, generous and caring, as charming, witty and creative. Yes all these things and many many more.

And in the future as we think of him we may well shed a tear, but when we are able, as Tony would have wished, let us remember our dear dear friend who will be so terribly missed and always loved, with a smile.

I can see him just ahead of me now striding along a dusty Moroccan Mountain path, moving further ahead, up into the Clouds...almost out of sight now...but I know its him, I can just hear the rhythm of Josie Ann carried on the wind, can just see a set of giant calf muscles, monstrous really...and strangest and most comforting of all.... a pair of boots, ridiculous giant bright red boots. No worries then my friend, when I can catch my breath we’ll meet again around the next bend in the path.