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
I will forever hold Tony in my heart as a man of courage, remarkable humor and one of the sweetest smiles I’ve ever witnessed. You have touched my life, Tony, and I’m so grateful to have known you. Joanna, you glow with loving kindness and caregiving dedication that I have so admired. Your journey with Tony’s illness has been a long journey in grief. You have taught me much about giving from the heart. The countless many who know and love you hold you in the Light during this time of loss. Love & Hugs, Maureen
My dear lady, there is truly nothing I can say that will ease your pain,but I do wish to say that I watched in amazement the love you had for each other, how hard you worked to keep your man living his life with dignity , I watched, I saw how together you supported each other and made the best of the situation everyday. May the blessings be.
Dear Joanna,
I was so sorry to hear of Tony’s death, and send my deep sympathy. What a fighter he was! I was so happy to have been able to drop in and see you when I was in Victoria in 2011. All strength and blessings.
Love,
Michael
Those we love remain with us, for love itself lives on.
And cherished memories never fade because a loved ones gone.
Those we love can never be more than a thought apart.
For as long as there is memory they will live on in the heart.
Thinking of you Joanna.
Carol.
I don’t believe that Tony would want us to spend too much time being sad. Despite the challenges he faced he was always positive and upbeat. We are all better for having known him.
James D
Cararissima Joanna
Partecipiamo commossi all’ inaspettata perdita del carissimo Tony, e condividiamo con tristezza la tua pena sperando che il nostro sostegno morale possa alleviarla anche solo per un’ istante.
Con affetto. Giuseppe e Helene
Joanna,
Our heartfelt condolences go out to you and to Tony’s family. What a loss.
We did not have the opportunity to know Tony that well, but on the occasions that we did meet, I could see the love he had for you, the connection and respect.
I hope that the family and friends that are surrounding you, give you strength,comfort and love to carry you through this time. Please know that your friends in Toronto are praying for you and sending love through the airways.
Hopefully we can give you hugs in person soon.
Xoxoxo Annette and Al
Dear Joanna, I would like to express my deepest sympathy for your loss. Tony was an amazing person and I fondly remember our visit with you both in Rome. Extend my sentiments to your mother and brother and may you find solace in knowing that Tony was loved by all. Condolences from my family, Marie, Maddalena, Jamee, Tracie and Ryan.
Cara Joanna,
Non so se ti ricordi di me, abbiamo lavorato insieme alla FAO al computer training prima che tu e Tony vi spostaste in Canada. Mi dispiace tantissimo per Tony che era un uomo dolce e premuroso. Sono certa che dovunque lui sia non dimenticherá mai il tuo sorriso e i tuoi occhi pieni d’amore.
Ti mando un abbraccio forte.
Elisa
It was very sad to hear the news. I had only been with him Friday and though he was weaker than normal and needed assistance with everything . He loved his deserts and struggled to get the last raspberry in the bowl, happily successful as he played the most beautiful opera loudly and it wafted down the halls where I was working. Good bye Tony. My condolences to you my dear sweet shiny Joanna and may you know how your devotion to Tony was impeccable and your love shone on to inspire .