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Antony Kirby
June 19, 1926 - October 23, 2016
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<div itemprop="description"><br>The world lost a very special man October 23rd with the passing of Antony Kirby 90, formerly of Caledon East, Alliston and more recently Brampton. <br>Predeceased by the love of his life Piera (Signori) almost seven years earlier and his infant granddaughter Anne Kirby Zimmerman. Antony is survived by his loving daughter Linda (Carey Zimmerman) and beloved son, Glenn Signori, cherished granddaughters Kelly and Hannah and adored sister Maggie Kirby Barr in London, England, nephews Quentin Armstrong Barr (Adele), England and Jeremy (Sylvie) Barr, Australia. In addition he is survived by all of his loving Italian relatives. <br>As well, he will be remembered with great fondness by the many friends he made all over the world-- the result of numerous travels with Piera to Europe, the United States and Cuba. <br>Born in London, England he developed a passion for jazz music, particularly the drums in his youth. But when he fell in love with a beautiful Italian girl he met on a train to London, he sold his drum set to follow his adventurous lady to Ottawa, Canada in 1953. Engaged and married a short time later to Piera he became the proud father of Linda within a year followed by the birth of his son Glenn three years later. <br>A wireless radio operator for the Royal Air Force in England he started his career in Canada as a radio operator in the remote northern forests of Canada for the Department of Lands and Forest. <br>Antony was a man with many passions but by far his greatest love was for his family, demonstrated not only by his dedication to work to provide well for them, but also his huge heart for sharing fun times in the most simplest of forms, be it the painstaking search for the perfect Christmas tree, toasting marshmallows over a bonfire or taking leisurely and long walks with the dog in the country. <br>The highlight of many trips to his daughter's home in Racine, Wisconsin (right after time spent with Kelly and Hannah) included beautiful, albeit robust sailing trips on Lake Michigan with son-law Carey aboard the French-made boat, Thistle. <br>He was fascinated by nature, capturing frosty snowfalls, breathtaking sunsets and beautiful flowers with his camera. <br>At his first home he included a complete darkroom facility, teaching both Linda and Glenn at a very young age the intricacies of developing black and white film. <br>Many of his photos appeared in both local and national publications, the most famous of those a cover shot of toddler Linda surrounded by a sea of daffodils one warm spring day in the nations capital of Ottawa. He received an award for his superb coverage of the Royal visit in 1959 by the CBC. <br>Antony was a skilled communicator, starting his career in radio and later moving to the fascinating world of broadcast television. He would work with such greats as the fledgling office employee Peter Jennings. <br>His career spanned several decades and included stints of speech writing for provincial ministers and senior public relation roles for the Canada Centre for Inland Waters, as well as working for private companies and later freelancing as a magazine writer. He loved the English language and instilled in his children a reverence for the written word. He was the dad who read all the night time stories! His theatrical renditions of Winnie the Pooh's misadventures were second to none. <br>A student of life, Antony dedicated himself to the task of learning to do everything to the best of his abilities. To that end, he not only designed but built three houses himself, clearing the land by hand in each instance to create homes that were unique, inviting and at one with their surroundings. <br>Long before 'dog rescue' became popular he along with Piera, opened their hearts and homes to two very special Boxers. Their love of wildlife was evident in their faithful nurturing of all those critters that flocked to feed at their doorstep. <br>He indulged his daughter's infatuation with the equine species, buying Linda her first horse, a lovely half-Arab. And it was not uncommon for him to accompany Linda on precarious hikes through farmers' fields, while she galloped gleefully ahead. <br>Antony's enjoyment of music encompassed the genres of jazz, classical, opera, choral and pop. He would later pass on this great love for music to his young son Glenn. By the 1970's they were attending jazz concerts together featuring such jazz greats as Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, Dizzy Gillespie and Count Basie, Dave Brubeck and Cleo Lane to name just a few. Later Antony and his wife would make regular trips to London, Ontario to watch their son performing in concert at the U.W.O. Faculty of music. <br>A lifelong passion for flying was realized in 1975 when Antony obtained his private pilot's license. The following year saw the purchase of his beloved 1966 Beechcraft Musketeer which Antony, Piera and Glenn flew in and out of airports and airfields in southern Ontario. By far one of proudest flying achievements included piloting his plane to the Annual Oshkosh EAA Fly-In (Oshkosh, Wisconsin). <br>A daily walker, Antony developed late in life a passion for running, a competitive sport he maintained up until three years ago. His coach and running partner was his son Glenn. They completed in no less than five Run For Hope Annual races in Brampton. <br>His endless patience was treasured by both grand daughters who thank him for assisting with piano practice and running along side their bikes to teach them to ride a two-wheeler. <br>Antony was fascinated by life and it's people. He always had time to listen to a story. He listened more than he talked. He engaged with all those he met along the way, be it a grocery clerk or a fellow stroller on the bike path. His smiles and many acts of kindness were greatly appreciated by all those whose paths intersected his life. In his final years he was remembered by staff and fellow residents at both Greenway Retirement Village and Tall Pines for his sweetness, gentle nature and helping hand with his neighbors. In lieu of flowers it is suggested that friends remember him with a donation to their favorite charity or to one of the following groups which had great meaning to him. They include Canadian Food for Children, Covenant House and The Good Shepherd. <br> <br></div>