July 22, 1950 – August 31, 2012
In the light of a blue moon and surrounded by loved ones, Tony passed peacefully into God’s care. He leaves to mourn his devoted wife of 32 years Elisabeth, daughter Madeleine and son William, father Richard (UK), brother Steve (Julie) (UK), extended family in the UK and Winnipeg and many beloved friends.
Tony enriched the lives of those who shared his passion for hand-knotted carpets; these valued relationships led to 17 successful years as owner of a Fort Street gallery. Since his arrival in Victoria in 1980, Tony participated in the local jazz scene and enjoyed the many friendships made through a love of music. In July, Tony’s goal of recording a CD of his original jazz music was fulfilled.
Tony was a gentleman, a man of integrity with the ‘punniest’ sense of humour ever; his word play will be missed.
A Memorial Service will be held at 3:00 pm September 7, 2012 in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson and Vancouver Streets with a reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Victoria Hospice or the U-Jam Society. Condolences for the family may be offered below.
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Nina Franklin
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ShaukatHusain Husain Dear Elisabeth, Madeleine and William,
We were so sad hearing of Tony’s passing. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Shaukat Husain and Gill Ellis
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Judith Moore To the Westlake family. Knowing and working with Tony was a privilege and pleasure. My clients respected his knowledge and integrity and always came away feeling enriched. I will miss his quiet humour and his cheeky puns.
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Babak Rezwani I am truly sad to hear of Tony’s passing. My deepest and sincere sympathies to his family and friends in this time of loss. My prayers and thoughts go out to you all.
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michelle Walsh-Anstey Elizabeth, Madeleine, and william, I am so sorry for your loss. I did not know of Anthony’s passing until yesterday.
Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers now and in the future. Michelle Walsh-Anstey
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Verna Stone Dear Elisabeth and family
I’m so sorry for your loss. I would often see Tony as I passed by the shop on Fort Street. He was always ready with a warm greeting and smile. I also would see him out and about in his carpet van (as I was riding to work on my bike). My daughter came in to look at carpets several months ago and he was so wonderful. He presented some great choices, and really listened to what it was she wanted. She did not end up buying a carpet, but we both were impressed with his knowledge and no pressure approach. Your husband/father touched so many lives in a positive way. I hope the love and support of family and friends brings you some comfort. His early passing is a reminder to us all to do the things we love to do. It sounds like Tony did this.
Verna Stone
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Bonnie Campbell and Greg Bonnell (Customers) To the family of Tony Westlake,
Please accept our deepfelt sympathies, for the loss of your beloved Tony. We had only recently met Tony through the store, and had such a pleasant experience with him. It was clear early on, that we had just met a sincere, credible and extremely knowledgeable man.
We can’t possibly imagine the pain of your loss, and we wish we had had a chance to know Tony longer. We are, however, so glad that we crossed paths with such a gentle man. He has given us decades of joy, in the beautiful carpets he helped us pick out for our home, and we are very grateful.
Sincere condolences,
Bonnie E. Campbell and Greg Bonnell
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Frank and Andrea Preiss Dear Elisabeth and family,
we’d like to send you our heartfelt sympathy and our supporting thoughts in this difficult time. We always will remember Tony’s special humor and his kindness.
With warmth and love,
Frank and Andrea
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Shawn Shepherd & Mary Patterson Tony was a great pianist and a real gentleman. We were both lucky enough to listen to him practicing on his piano almost daily for three years on Fort Street. That was something special… his piano keys tinkling through the wall made any day brighter. Tony always seemed to have a clever joke he was happy to share. Sending our love to Elizabeth and the children.
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Miranda Sage Dear Elisabeth, Madeleine and William,
I am so sorry to read today about Tony’s passing. It was such an honour and a privilege to know him, play with him and do business with him over the years. I will treasure my carpets even more. I was so thrilled to hear his piece being played at Hermann’s Jazz Club with Mischa and Neil. Wonderful.
I cannot make today’s service as I am playing up island tonight but my heart and love will be with you.
Condolences and love,
Miranda
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Rob Zacharias Dear Elisabeth, I was so sad to see Tony’s obituary in the paper this morning. He was a wonderful, warm, creative, funny man who will be missed by many. My heart goes out to you and your children. Lisa is out of town right now, but I’m sure she shares my sentiments. You must miss him terribly and I am so sorry for your loss. With love and support, Rob
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Susan and John Bodnar We were so very sorry to hear of Tony’s passing. Our most sincere condolences to you Elisabeth, and to your wonderful family.
With love, Susan and John Bodnar
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Frank Falzon Dear Elizabeth, Will and Madeline:
There may be no greater blessing for a man than to know that he loved – and was loved by – his wife and children unconditionally, and that he fought the good fight. Such a man is rightly mourned by his loved ones. We mourn with you, and you are all in our prayers.
The Falzon family
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Martin Gevers Elizabeth, Will and Mally: I was so fortunate to share hockey-fathering and talk about music, with your husband and dad. I was so lucky to have had two visits only three and one day before he left us all. But he left us with positive feelings, no regrets and looked forward to passing on to the next world where, one day we’ll meet again. I think about him all the time now and how he was prepared to move on. lots of love from us Gevers’.
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Wenche Hemphill I had the pleasure to buy a couple of beautiful rugs from Tony, and it was one of the most pleasant purchases I have ever had when it comes to buying things. It was obvious that he was passionate about what he was doing; he even lent me a book all about Oriental rugs. I was saddened to hear that the store was closing, and even more sad when I learned the reason why. He struck me as one of the people you are glad to have had the chance to meet, and his family has my deepest sympathy in their loss.
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Kathy & Laurie Elisabeth, Mally and Will,
We will miss and love him forever and our hearts and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. With hugs and love.
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Steve & Diane Segal We’re so sorry for your loss. Tony was the quintessential gentleman and will be missed. Our condolences to you and your family.
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Daniel Lapp I’m so so sorry to hear of Tony’s passing – far too young and far too many songs yet to play…I regret not getting the chance to play more music with such a gentle-man and such a pro. I send my sincere condolences to his family.
Daniel Lapp
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jenny spring Hi Elizabeth and Will,
Jenny here (hockey mom). i am so sorry for your loss. Tony was a kind and lovely man and i cannot imagine how hard his loss will be for your family. i am thinking of you and hoping that there are many kind and loviing people around you now.
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Barbara Harris I was sad to read this morning of Tony’s passing. I met him a few times when you and I worked together at BC Transit – he was a lovely man. My sincere sympathy and I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
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Jennie Willings Dearest Lizbett and family-so very sad to hear of Tony’s passing and so happy to have seen him recently, be in the beautiful gallery of the store he created and to have carpets now to forever remember him by. So many years ago we left for England together and I will always chuckle gladly to be party to the early shenanigans of your meeting and the beginning of your life together. Tony was/is the punniest man I have ever met-world class! A refined rascal, warm and generous- he leaves our world the better for his contributions and presence.
Much love,
Jennie
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Louise and Jim Wallace We live in the neighborhood near the Thompson’s. We are so sorry for your loss. Recently we bought a carpet at the store and Tony was so accommodating. A really warm and caring man. Just watching the youtube video with his music playing. Take care.
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Laura Thomson and Family We feel so blessed to have had Tony in our lives. From first meeting at the park when Mally and Alix were preschoolers (and soon to become inseparable as “Snow White” and “Rose Red”), to giving Ant his first job (and spoiling him for all future bosses by being so wonderful) to keeping us laughing in the most difficult times with his irrepressible sense of humour, we feel so privileged to have shared some of the journey with him, Elisabeth, Mally and Will . We are certainly better for knowing and loving Tony – thanks for everything and God speed until we meet again. Love from the whole Thomson family (Laura, Brian, Alix, Anthony and Emma)
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Therese Gerein & family Dear Elisabeth, Mally & Will:
You have all been in our thoughts and prayers for many months now and will continue to be so in the months to come. Although I didn’t see Tony often his gentle spirit was definitely a calming presence whenever I did get a chance to speak to him. As mentioned his sense of humour is something I will remember about him and I also think about him whenever I bring someone peaches! Thanks to him I have begun canning extra jars and consider this a little “peach ministry” for those who need something that slips down easily. I hope to see you soon and perhaps at some point share a quiet cup of tea or a walk along the water if you feel up to company some day. God bless you all and take care of yourselves. Let me know if there’s ever anything we can do to help.
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Steve and Julie Westlake Tony was a wonderful brother and brother in law who lit up all our lives with his sense of fun, optimism – and of course his unforgettable sense of humour. Life was never dull growing up together in Bristol, and Tony’s zest for life and adventure was very much apparent even in those early days. He will be very greatly missed – and we know heaven will have another star shining brightly. Never forgotten – and until we meet again.
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Pippa and Penny Sending our heartfelt sympathy to our wonderful over-the-back-fence-neighbours who offered us warm eggs from their chickens over the fence to welcome us to the neighbourhood many years ago. Penny will miss her cagey tennis partner and Pippa will miss her personal rug expert’s advice. Tony’s death is a great loss to our Fairfield community. We are so very very sad, Pippa and Penny
A great musician and humanitarian always remembered with the freatest of respect and love. So sad to hear this news, blessings to all the family,