Tony Rydell
1933 - 2017
It is with sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our dad, grandad, brother and uncle, Tony Rydell on July 1st, 2017. Tony was born in Acocks Green, Birmingham UK, the middle son of five children. At six years old he was one of the millions of children evacuated from city centres during WWII and he and his brothers spent a number of years of their childhood in Wales. After finishing school he completed his national service with the British Army, ending up in Korea and Japan. After leaving the army he spent time in London, eventually joining P&O lines and working on cruise ships around the world for over 15 years. Tony emigrated to Canada in 1973 eventually settling in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, where he lived for over 30 years. He was a long-time bartender at the Harrison Hotel, known by many for his love of story-telling, quick whit, and chats over coffee “at the office”. Special thanks to the many friends in Harrison who looked out for him in his later years, Harrison was truly his home. Much love and thanks to the staff at the Waverly for their exceptional care over the last five years. Tony is survived by his daughter, Genevieve (Eduardo) and his son Mark (Ashley) and his four grandchildren, Taegan, Elijah, Harrison and Max, as well as his sister and niece in Florida and his nephew and nieces in the UK. He will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Agassiz Legion, Sunday July 30th, from 1-3 p.m.
“The Song is Ended...but the Melody Lingers On”
Irving Berlin, 1927