Anthony William Reid (17 Jan 1942 - 1 Jul 2023)

Tony was born in Canterbury, in the shadow of the cathedral in January 1942. Being a war baby he didn’t meet his father till 1946 once he returned from Burma.
The eldest of 6 he had 4 sisters and 1 brother. Initially Tony really wanted to go into the Navy but due to the ill health of his own father, post war, he forfeited that dream and joined the railway in 1957. He started at Bricklayers Arms as a cleaner and worked his way up to being a Driver with stays at Hither Green (which included a short spell on loan to Nine Elms), Charing Cross and retiring from the Railway in 2001 from Slade Green Depot as a Driver Standards Manager.

Tony met his wife Chris in the late 1960’s and Married her in October 1970 with Karl coming along in 1978 and Paul in 1980. They moved to Cuxton from Strood in 1982 and as many of you know Chris got cancer in the late 80’s and passed away in 1993.
A heartbreak like that may have deterred many people but Tony rose to the challenge.

Celebrating Chris's life by taking his boys around the world to see his family (who had mostly emigrated in the 1960’s) and being their best friend as well as their Dad.

Tony could be, in some aspects hard, he wouldn’t just call a spade a spade he would call it “a f’in shovel” but while he was hard he was fair. He was also one of the most generous men around. A true friend to many, the outpouring of love recently from his friends, rushing to see him at his bedside has totally blown the family away.

15 years ago his first grandchild, Rhys, was born and this was the second coming of Tony.
Much of the hardness vanished and he was a devoted and loving grandfather. Immediately doing all the stuff that he did with Paul and Karl as a kid with his new crew of junior Reid’s, but as he was now retired and had more time on his hands he was a very hands on grandfather. Day trips galore with Rhys turned into a whole crew when Paul met Becky and Joshua joined the clan. Then Bailey, Karl's son Chris and finally Paul's youngest Lincoln all came along.

He adored his two daughters-in-law in Tracey and Becky, finally having the daughters he never had earlier in life.

The last 20 years of Tony's life were mainly spent galavanting around the country on holidays with either Paul’s or Karl's families. But mainly a car full of grandkids going to the seaside or on the train for days out. Meeting up with retired railway colleagues for regular drinking sessions and trips around the country where Tony seemed to be the defacto beer kitty chancellor. Regular visits to Newcastle/Northumberland to stay with Childhood friend 'Frog', with many long nights in the pub. Visits to Costco with Tony R on a regular basis which invariably resulted in a trip to the pub too.

Tony developed heart failure a few years ago, initially a slight niggle gradually got worse over the last couple of years and by the beginning of this year a marked decline seemed to creep in.

Tony passed away peacefully with his family around him and he will be much missed however, he’s reunited after over 30 years with his wife Chris. He never remarried, never even had a girlfriend. About 10 years after mum passed Paul and Karl said to him if he wants another woman in his life then by all means find someone. Tony’s reply was “f*ck off, I like having the double bed all to myself” with a smile and a little wink. It was his way of saying he was waiting to see Chris again.

Well Dad, you’re back with her. I hope that you both enjoy each others company again, give her a hug from Paul and I.