Wow! Exactly where d’you start, this task is surely great
To paint in merely minutes such a complex portrait?

Of a man who is much loved, who is a special one
Who has a serious side but a wicked sense of fun

Who attracts into his life a most eclectic bunch of friends
To whom he is so loyal that the friendship never ends

He shared his life for many years, with his one great love
Who sadly, was called from him to that resting place above

And ‘though Tony still misses him every single day
He has never let self-pity, stand in his way

He pursues his life with gusto, confronts all that it throws him
Yet always finds the time to help, anyone who knows him

At an age when many people would be curled up by the fire
Tony has so many things, to which he’ll still aspire

At work, his retirement plans, if I may be so bold
Seem to be, I have to say, permanently on hold!

That his expertise and knowledge, are still in such demand
Is testament to just how much respect he can command

For without him, many a surgeon would be caught on the hop
They can’t do without his steady hand to help them make the chop

Though he has been known, some afternoons, to enjoy a good siesta
It’s only to recharge himself for another night’s fiesta

Those half his age would find it hard, at night, to keep up
With this drinking, partying, night-clubbing, fun-loving young pup

Though he loves his life and all his friends he likes to get away
And likes nothing better than, a foreign holiday

His travel tales are legendary and always most amusing
You’ll not believe the sights he’s seen while on the high seas cruising!

Not for him the country pile, the acreage and the aga
He far prefers to sail the seas accompanied by Saga

Yes he has his favourite haunts, to which he’s really loyal
Like Booty’s in Limehouse and Ramsgate Yacht Club, which is royal

And fit for a queen, so no wonder he’s deserved
At RTYC to have his own room reserved

Of course boating is his love, in his eye it puts a gleam
And his home and pride and joy is his own boat, Eagle’s Dream

It’s not always been plain sailing, things sometimes ran amok
And the air turned very blue with him and Trevor in a lock!

He took Eagle’s Dream to Calais, how he got there no one knows
For his compass was a long way out nothing like the compass rose

The trip back it was lumpy and the boat rolled to and fro
Poor Tony spent the crossing with palpitations down below

Until that is the vessel reached the Thames’ own estuary
The waters calmed, the sun came out and Tony rose with glee

To sit upon the poop deck like a passenger on a ferry
Sun on his face and glass in hand, with his favourite tipple, sherry

He thought he’d try the east coast, with his friend, Stuart Carter
But they misjudged the depths, and Stu became a martyr

As the boat tipped slowly over, these two, not the most slender
Had to spend the night, cuddled up in Tony’s tender>

One holiday, he left the sea, for a hotel with a pool
But as he dozed he became the victim of a crime quite cruel

Someone had seized his handbag and without a second thought
Tony leapt up and did give chase, determined the bugger be caught

He fell and copped a bruising but some young firemen gave chase
They returned the bag but more than that, put a smile on Tony’s face

Yes he’s a party boy, a smarty boy, who likes to get about
But be careful not to cross him or you’ll get the Tony pout!

That pout could launch a thousand ships, wither the toughest of men
But it’s always done with tongue in cheek and soon he’ll smile again

So no wonder he’s attracted, so many here today
To help Tony celebrate a very special day

Friends and colleagues, raise your glasses, join me in saying cheers
Good luck, God bless, keep having fun, for another 70 years!!

©Joanne Ross

19th September 2009