It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Peter Anthony (Tony) Wade on Sunday, September 13, 2015. Tony is survived by his loving wife, Joanna; his son, Alexander, daughter in law, Jacqui and grandchildren, Leopold and Winona of Sydney, Australia; his step-son, Kingsley Longman and daughter in law, Lyndsey and three grandchildren: Jack, Ruby and Matilda of Wodonga, Australia and sister, Penny Sargent and husband, John of the United Kingdom.
Tony was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1947 to John and Isabel Wade and spent the first seven years in Belfast. He and Penny moved to Newcastle to live with their paternal grandparents. Eventually his academic and professional life led him to Australia in 1972. Once there, he established himself as an accountant and worked for the Ford Motor Company. In 1975, he moved from Ford to help create a new government agency called the Trade Union Training Authority in Melbourne and Wodonga. This new organization that was built from the ground up, served to fund statutory authority providing education and training programs for union officials. However, Tony’s most significant and defining career was that of Director of Programme, Budget and Evaluation for the Food and Agricultural Organization with the United Nations in Rome, Italy starting in 1981. He was an extremely gifted leader, blessed with remarkable organizational, administrative and negotiation skills. During his 25 years at the UN, he was the architect of budgetary systems, policies and procedures and information technology systems that laid down the foundation for effective departmental functioning for years to come. Tony earned the respect and admiration of everyone with whom he came into contact – his extreme intelligence, coupled with his acute sense of humour, was an unbeatable combination. It was in Rome that he met and married the love of his life, Joanna and along with their three Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, had 31 years of happiness.
In 2003, Tony was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, a condition that despite heroic efforts by many, many medical professionals, experts and scientists, he was unable to overcome. He and Joanna relocated to Canada in 2006 and over the last 10 years, Tony challenged the disease and the medical profession with his detailed research and investigations. Every treatment, medication and therapy was pursued with his characteristic intelligence and vigor. He and Joanna were bold and courageous beyond measure and true to form and he died with his elegant mind and dignity intact.
His family wish to extend heartfelt thanks to Tony’s devoted caregivers who lovingly tended to him over many years: Denise, Stephanie, Kym, Nikita, Amber, Annie, Tina and Dale – each and every one became part of his family as he battled the disease. By all who knew him, Tony will continue to be loved and remembered for the remarkable man he was.
A viewing is scheduled for Wednesday, September 16 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. at McCall’s Downtown, Johnson & Vancouver Streets. A service will be held on Thursday, September 17 at 11:00 a.m. in McCall’s Floral Chapel. Following the service and thanks to Jo and Peter Zambri, family and friends are invited to a reception at Zambri’s Restaurant: 820 Yates Street corner of Blanshard Ave. Donations in Tony’s memory would be appreciated to the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre, Suite 202 – 1640 Oak Bay Ave, Victoria, B.C. V8R 1B2, Telephone: (250) 475-6677. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
110 Responses
Cara Joanna,
Mi dispiace tanto di questa tristissima notizia .Eravate una coppia bellissima e un esempio per tutti noi,ci siete amati come credo poche coppie si amano…Sono sicura che lui sara’ sempre accanto a te anche se fisicamente non c’e’ piu’.
Un’abbraccio grande, Giorgia !!!
Dear Joanna
Judy has let us know of Tony’s death and word is spreading around his Australian friends.
It must be a very sad time for you and you can be assured there are people feeling for you here in Australia. You have put in a momentous effort in caring for Tony over a long period. I think we sometimes forget what effect a serious and debilitating illness has on those who do the caring. Even if there’s help available, a diagnosis is usually a life changing event for all concerned. But I don’t need to tell you this, you know it only too well.
So I’m thinking of you today and hope that once you can come to grips with what’s happened, we might be able to see you again.
Very kind regards
Kay
My dear Joanna,
I am so sorry to hear of Tony’s passing.
I am very sad for your loss. Tony was pretty incredible.
I love you lots. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Anita Misri
Dear Joanna
Poonam, Pia, Jai and I were devastated to learn about Tony’s passing. We so often fondly remember him for his humor and generosity. On my part, I can never forget him as his work and professional approach shapes my daily life at WFP.
We pray for you and his soul.
Manoj Juneja
Dear Joanna,
I am so sorry to hear the sad news. Tony was a beautiful person much loved by everybody. I have always said one of the most intelligent persons I ever met in FAO. He stood out for his integrity, intelligence, kindness and humbleness.
We have all been lucky to have crossed his path. He has remained an example for many of us herein FAO. We will miss him.
I wish you all the best, my dear Joanna, and if you ever pass by Rome I would like to give you a big hug and a kiss as the ones I would like to give you now.
Grandi baci.
Anna Albertario
Dear Joanna,
What sad news. So many times I thought about you and the memories came back of when you were living in Monteverde. I missed you both when you left, your smile, your frankness. You are in my thoughts for what it can count in these moments. A big big hug to you. Peace and love to Tony.
I hope to see you in Rome.
Ciao
Lorenza
Dear Joanna,
He was loved by many and will be remembered. A very special man indeed. Too bad it had to end like it did but … he had a good run until Parkinson’s hit.
Really hope to see you soon here in Rome.
Baci OOOO
Broucksy
Hi Jo,
It is with much sadness that I write to you, having heard from Penny on Monday about Tony’s passing, I asked her to pass on my condolences. I would have written sooner but had lost all your contact details. Mine and Mary’s sympathies are with you all and I share your grief. I have never been very good at staying in touch with people, but have often thought about Tony and yourself in recent years and it will be forever a regret that I had not seen him again since 2007. Had I known how bad he was I would have found a way to visit. It can only be thought a blessing that he is no longer in any pain, though it is also so cruel that he has gone.
We shall be sending a donation in his memory to the Victoria Epilepsy and Parkinson’s Centre, I feel that Tony himself would consider it to be a better use of the money than flowers.
Once again my heartfelt sympathies are with you.
Terry
Dear Joanna,
Very sad to hear the news of Tony’s passing. We will miss him as bright, honest professional and good friend. His fight in the last few years has been admired by everybody who knew him.
You also have played a heroic role caring for him, much to admirations of all friends and family. Our deep sympathy to you.
I am in Rome until Saturday and if you need anything from FAO, please let me know.
Hosny and El Lakany family.
Dear Joanna,
This has caught me completely by surprise. I’m returning to Canada soon and will call you when I do. In the interim please accept my most sincere sympathy but profound admiration for your strength throughout.
Greg