I considered Tony a friend. News of his death was a shock but not completely surprising. I hadn’t been able to connect with him since early May and suspected something had happened. I’d left several messages that went unanswered and anyone who knows Tony would know that’s unlike him. As a result, I had a sense of impending dread, but as long as there was no news, I could assume he might suddenly ring me while driving home after being with the Attorney or returning from an errand.
For those who didn’t know him, Tony was a painter by profession but a writer at heart. He grew up poor in rural Tennessee and he had one great love, someone I only know as “The Attorney”. Tony and I initially met because we both wrote blogs and had a slight obsession with Twitter. His first blog included some unbelievably heartfelt stories about his adolescence and sexual awakening, his mother who passed away far too early (much like him), his distant father, and his aging grandmother (a.k.a. Granny) who he took care of until she passed.
It may seem strange to mourn a person I never met in person and who lived a 1,000 miles away, but we became friends over the years. It breaks my heart to think about his tragic death and his life partner who he leaves behind. Rest in peace my friend. You are very much loved and very much missed.
BosGuy 