Anthony John Harthern “Tony”

“Deep in our heart’s you will always stay. Loved and remembered every day.”

Tony sadly passed away on the 12th May, aged 78 years, in the care of Ward 127 of the Royal Stoke University Hospital.

A loving Partner and beloved Dad, Grandad & Great Grandad.  Tony will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by all who knew him.

Tony was devoted to his late wife Dianne, her passing at the age of fifty-one left a void in his life and a scar on his emotions for many years until he found true happiness again with his beloved partner Marlene.  He was a much-loved dad to Caroline, Tracey, Claire, Joanne, Richard and Helen, he was also lovingly referred to as dad by his first grandchild Samanta the eldest of seven grandchildren and he also had seven great grandchildren.

He was a father-in-law to Andrew and Mark, a dear brother to Mike and Jeff. He was a brother-in-law, uncle and had many good friends and neighbours which grew in number after he met Marlene.

Many remember spending sunny days with Tony in his garden or socialising somewhere with a drink whilst having a good laugh.  Little Brian, Big Brian, Terry, Les, Shirley and Dunc, Corrine and Woody, Diane and Jake, Barry, Mo and the Shepherds who he liked playing bingo with.  He had so many special friends it is difficult to mention everyone by name

Tony first became ill in 2013 when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer but despite life changing surgery, he was incredibly positive and thoroughly determined not to let it affect his life.  After returning to some degree of normality and living life to the full for several years, he was hospitalised for eleven months.  Whilst he was in Leighton, daily visits from Marlene kept his spirits up and after his brother Mike found the best consultant to treat Tony, he was transferred to Salford Royal, a move which clearly extended his life by a further two years.

Tony returned home from Salford just as the country went into lockdown and it wasn’t long before he was back underneath a car, tinkering with the engine or chucking another log on his faithful log burner!

Not too long after being discharged from Salford, Tony started his road to recovery and determined to put the episode behind him, he even took a tree down with his friend Terry.

He was always busy repairing someone’s car and despite having a purpose-built pit in his garage, he still preferred to lie on the ground in all weathers.  The cold weather and constant oily hands were the deciding factors when he thought about retiring but he then went on to drive a minibus for his pal Victor, taking young adults with learning disabilities to work.

He was a people person who never liked to be alone, he found it impossible to be serious and thinking he was a comedian, he was always laughing and joking at his own jokes.

Remembering Tony

Tony was welcomed into the world on 2nd December 1943 by his parents Hilda and Bill and lived on Warmingham Road in Coppenhall, near to the White Lion Pub.  He went to Broad Street and Ludford Street schools then became an apprentice motor mechanic and after working at Grocotts, he moved to Beeson’s slaughterhouse when it was on Groby Road, looking after their fleet of wagons and factory plant – but also repairing cars for people at the weekends then later in life, he started his own company, Tony’s Auto Repairs, at home in Rhoden Street.

Tony and Dianne were blessed with six children and enjoyed camping holidays at Black Rock Sands, and weekends away when Tony took part in tug of war competitions.  All eight of them somehow fitted into a VW Beetle, mum and dad in the front, four children on the back seat and two youngest in the small boot compartment with a trailer for all the equipment hooked up to the back!  Then as they got older, they upgraded to a VW camper van!

Tony also loved taking the kids out for the day in his Beeson’s wagon, doing the rounds, collecting meat products and returning home with the kid’s clothes smelling like butcher’s overalls!

He and Dianne enjoyed many holidays in Turkey with friends and having jet black curls and a good tan, he was always mistaken for a local – the upside of that was not being pestered in the markets and bizarres!

Tracey remembers their mum was a stewardess at the Sidney Club so although neither Tony nor Dianne were big drinkers, they socialised with lots of other families especially on Saturday nights when a live band was playing, and bingo was the highlight of the night!

When Dianne became ill, being the nearest, Tracey and Joanne normally took it in turns to be with her whilst Tony worked, and he sat with her every night.  After she died, Helen was at home with him for several years until she started an exciting new chapter of her own in assisted living.

When he and Marlene got together, it was the turning point in his life.  Blessed with happiness once again, Tony seemed to return to his old self, much to the relief of his family.  He and Marlene were ideally suited, both young at heart and enjoyed a good laugh.  They went on fantastic holidays in Portugal, loved spending time together and socialising with a great circle of friends.

Tony had many hobbies including singing and loved karaoke.  He liked going to air shows, sea fishing, car booting, and plane spotting.

He liked tending to his fish and grapevine and loved bird watching with one of his many binoculars.

He liked the outdoors and would be outside no matter what the weather.  He was very welcoming, asking visitors if they wanted a brew but then add “make it yourself.”

Tony will be very much missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

A service to celebrate Tony’s life will take place in the Crematorium Chapel, Crewe on Monday 30th May at 10.45am, followed by cremation.

Donations in memory of Tony will be gratefully received on behalf of Salford Royal Infirmary.

For any further information please contact our funeral home on 01270 584447.