Tony was born May 24, 1943 in Breukelen, The Netherlands. He was fond of letting people know that Brooklyn, NY was named after his village. At age 10, Tony, his two sisters (Ghi and Carol) and mother (Miep) immigrated to Canada to join his father (Jan), and settled in Hamilton where his brother (Ian) was soon born. Tony was one of the region’s top graduates in his final year of high school. He went on to achieve a degree in Engineering Physics and a PhD in Nuclear Physics from McMaster University.

It was at McMaster that Tony met his future wife (Karen). After the Toronto wedding, they began their life together in Chicago, where Tony had already been working at Stewart Warner Electronics developing the facsimile machine (“Like Xerox, but over the telephone!” we’d have to explain). The couple left Chicago to settle permanently in Mississauga where Tony worked at Atomic Energy of Canada until 1986.

Tony then took the opportunity to stretch his abilities by founding his own company, Freedom Motors. He brought innovative engineering and business skills to this new phase of life, as he modified minivans for accessibility, and employed about 25 people. He was admired and respected in the industry. He learned through experience about the variety of accommodations that people could need, and wouldn’t hesitate to direct his client to a competitor’s product—sacrificing a sale rather than supplying a vehicle that was not perfectly suited to their specific needs. Tony was a member of NMEDA and attended their annual conferences, and hosted an annual booth at the Toronto Auto Show.

Tony and Karen were blessed with two children: John and Elaine, and later a daughter-in-law (Tara), and two grands (Leif and Clara). Tony delighted in each child: paying close attention to learn who they were. Tony (Dad, Opa) would spend hours patiently reading, teaching (everything from arithmetic to waterskiing), and boating at the cottage. He was a tinkerer and a builder: taking things apart and fixing them again, building boats, bunk beds, and a hot air balloon.

Tony had a lifelong fascination with and love of cars and motorcycles. Among his favourite memories were his father’s two Bugattis. One of which was brought to Canada, sold in New Mexico (for which his family received a Dachshund as an expression of gratitude!), and to this day is on display in a museum in Australia. The other Bugatti remained in The Netherlands, and Tony remained in contact with its current owners. On a banner day in Tony’s many travels, he and Karen met the Dutch couple who have been lovingly restoring the 1934 vehicle, and they were treated to a drive through fields of tulips and windmills! Extending their hospitality yet again, the owners gave three generations of Tony, John, and Leif a Bugatti ride in 2023—Tony’s final visit to his ancestral country.

Tony was was often quiet and reflective, yet curious about others. He took genuine interest in their lives and opinions, and would use that experience to continually inform his personal growth. He enjoyed photography and stamp collecting, and was fond of sharing these with his family. He spent time in Muskoka at the family cottage on Sparrow Lake, enjoying sailing, water skiing, swimming, and ice cream. Twelve years ago a new, modern cottage replaced the first one. Tony took all the ideas he and Karen conjured to design the new building, even constructing a cardboard model to scale. He loved the lake, sharing boat rides with family and friends, observing John and Elaine, and then Leif and Clara learn how to swim, drive the small boat, sail, fish, and build everything from campfires to LEGOs.

Tony was a member of St Brides Anglican Church, Clarkson, and of Credit River PROBUS. He participated in two investment clubs. He loved travel, and in the past 20 years explored many countries including South Africa, Argentina, Ecuador, and Antarctica. Tony was a master of the ‘zinger,’ and sometimes overwhelmed himself by giggling at his own telling of a funny story. Even through his challenges with Alzheimer’s and kidney failure, Tony expressed gratitude to everyone around him, and found opportunities to share a bit of humour. Tony was a kind, patient, intelligent, creative, and generous man of integrity. Tony’s family is proud of the legacy he leaves us all.

Tony died peacefully, Karen at his bedside, on the morning of Wednesday, February 18, 2026. Cremation has occurred.

Visitation will be Wednesday, February 25, 4-8 pm at Turner & Porter Neweduk Chapel, 1981 Dundas Street West, Mississauga. A Service of Remembrance will be held at St Brides Anglican Church, 1516 Clarkson Road, Mississauga on Thursday February 26, 1 pm. The family would appreciate memorial donations to Partners International Canada or to Ian Anderson House, Oakville in Tony’s name.