Obituary of Anthony Polson

POLSON, A.F. (Tony) Tony passed away peacefully with family at his side at Markham Stouffville Hospital on Wednesday, May 7, 2008, 9 days before his 91st birthday. Predeceased by his beloved wife of 60 years, Ethel, and son Donald. Dearly loved father of Toni (Barb) Ashton (Mrs. Robert Morrison), Rory (Vicki), Kirk and daughter-in-law Valerie. Adored Poppa to grandchildren, Ryan, Jordan, Kara and Alex Polson, Meredith and Courtney Ashton. Born in Winnipeg in 1917, Tony was a hard-working, good-humoured, loving and charitable man. A golf enthusiast, he was a caddy at 10 years of age, later becoming a golf pro in his twenties. During the war, Tony met Ethel in the airforce and was a gunnery instructor for the RCAF flight training school, stationed principally at Virden, Manitoba. Post WWII, Tony and Ethel began what would turn into a long life of love, happiness and adventure. Together they raised an active family and cleared land at One Island Lake to build a camp/cottage for family summers of swimming, boating, berry picking, water skiing, saunas, and bonfires. Tony worked for WH Marr and later became a senior officer, director, and significant shareholder of Vulcan Machinery & Equipment in Thunder Bay. He travelled to mining/logging locations in Manitoba, Northern Ontario and the U.S.A. Tony volunteered with the Boy Scouts of Canada, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Pacific Animal Therapy Society, and helped teach introductory golf to young people. He was an early proponent of the Fred Sgambati Golf Tournament. In his retirement years, Tony and Ethel travelled overseas, wintered in Hollywood Beach, Florida, and settled in B.C. Tony enjoyed gardening, working outdoors, and handcrafts. He made golf clubs, wood carvings, playhouses and a Victorian dollhouse. He was a master of the 2 X 4. He enjoyed singing a few lines of an old favourite when the moment struck and always had a story at hand to tell. The family wishes to thank Sunrise of Unionville for their wonderful care. If desired, memorial donations may be made to the Stroke Club of Victoria, 2544 Cedar Hill Road, Victoria, British Columbia, V8T 3G9 or the Terry Fox Foundation, 789 Don Mills Road, Suite 804, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1T5. A private service for family will be held at the HUMPHREY FUNERAL HOME - A.W. MILES CHAPEL, 1403 Bayview Avenue (south of Eglinton Avenue East) at 11:00 o'clock on Monday, May 12. The family would be happy to have friends visit at Toni and Bob's home, 27 Seneca Street, anytime after 1:30 p.m. on Monday. Condolences and memories may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com.