I first met Anthony, Mary and the kids when they moved in across the street from me in Locust Valley. Anthony and I quickly became great friends since we shared many of the same interests like computers and hockey.
My best memories of Anthony are of what a great father he was. He would dress up in costume for the kids's (Olivia, Anthony James, and Alexis) birthday parties. One year he dressed up as Darth Vader and along with his brother, Scott (dressed as a Jedi Knight) they staged a light sabre battle to entertain the kids. Anthony James was given his own light sabre to help defeat the evil Darth Vader. Before "Darth" went down for the final time he reached out to Anthony James and said (in his best James Earl Jones voice), "Noooo Anthony James, I am your Father..."
I don't think I have ever laughed that hard since!!
My own career brought me to Florida but Anthony and I still kept in touch by phone and email. We still joked and carried on like we did before. One time he left me a voice mail to tease me about something, it was very funny and I kept to message to listen to when I needed to hear a friendly voice. Now that message has become its own memorial to my best friend's memories.
Anthony, Tami and I miss you very much! |
