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Anthony CRERAR Obituary
CRERAR, Anthony (Tony) Burke
Our dear father Anthony (Tony) Burke Crerar died peacefully on January 14, 2025 in Vancouver, at age 84, surrounded by family, and with Maureen holding his hand. Beloved husband of 57 years to Maureen (née Kirby) of Weybridge, England. Beloved father (and father-in-law; and grandfather) to David (Julia Lawn; Harry, Philippa, Isla, and Angus) of North Vancouver; Suzanne (Dean Wolf; Julian, Layla, and Kirby) of Boulder, Colorado; and Carolyn (Sean Wharton; Ian and Amelia) of Troup, Texas. Survived by his nephews and nieces Kelly Kirkland of Guelph, and Lauren, Steve, and Andrew Crerar of Toronto, and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Hatton and Kathleen Crerar of Beach Grove and Vancouver, and his older brother Bill Crerar of Toronto, who died only weeks earlier.
A rare third-generation Vancouverite, Tony was born on April 10, 1940. He attended Athlone School (where his mother taught kindergarten), Magee High School (class of 1957), and the University of British Columbia. He spent his professional life as a chartered accountant at the same Vancouver firm: starting at Frederick Field & Co., and retiring from its current iteration as Grant Thornton.
Although they were the perfect husband and wife, and father and mother, Tony and Maureen possessed different personalities that complemented each other: Tony calm and cerebral; Maureen energetic and adventurous. Tony was a good sport and tagged along on many of Maureen's international travel expeditions, always returning with a quiver of anecdotes and observations about the local culture and history. He especially enjoyed visiting the gorillas in Rwanda, and the penguins in the Falkland Islands, and the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. He loved his semi-annual golfing holidays with his friends: playing at St. Andrews Old Course in Scotland and eating yorkshire pudding in Yorkshire were particularly fond memories.
Tony took quiet pleasure in hosting annual family reunions throughout North America with his three children and nine grandchildren: lifelong memories for three generations.
Tony was blessed with many loyal friends and colleagues, many of whom have passed on before him. Tony and Maureen enjoyed the company of their neighbours throughout the years in Kerrisdale; Seymour Heights; Shaughnessy; Terra Nova, Richmond; and Windermere, North Vancouver.
Tony was a voracious reader and enthusiastic golfer, but above all, a good and kind man. His children never saw him raise his voice in anger, or commit a selfish act, or say a mean-spirited word. He worked hard to provide for his family, and was generous in providing them with sporting, cultural, and travel experiences. He logged in many cold and rainy hours watching them at hockey, soccer, dance, and gymnastics. He kept his wits and gentle sense of humour to the end, which made the farewell even more difficult. He exhibited stoicism and grace in his final days.
His family thanks the physicians and staff of Vancouver General Hospital and BC Cancer Vancouver for their dedicated and kind care.
At his request, there will be no service.
His family would be very grateful for any photographs, memories, and anecdotes of Tony, for a commemorative book: [email protected]
Our dear father Anthony (Tony) Burke Crerar died peacefully on January 14, 2025 in Vancouver, at age 84, surrounded by family, and with Maureen holding his hand. Beloved husband of 57 years to Maureen (née Kirby) of Weybridge, England. Beloved father (and father-in-law; and grandfather) to David (Julia Lawn; Harry, Philippa, Isla, and Angus) of North Vancouver; Suzanne (Dean Wolf; Julian, Layla, and Kirby) of Boulder, Colorado; and Carolyn (Sean Wharton; Ian and Amelia) of Troup, Texas. Survived by his nephews and nieces Kelly Kirkland of Guelph, and Lauren, Steve, and Andrew Crerar of Toronto, and their families. He was predeceased by his parents Hatton and Kathleen Crerar of Beach Grove and Vancouver, and his older brother Bill Crerar of Toronto, who died only weeks earlier.
A rare third-generation Vancouverite, Tony was born on April 10, 1940. He attended Athlone School (where his mother taught kindergarten), Magee High School (class of 1957), and the University of British Columbia. He spent his professional life as a chartered accountant at the same Vancouver firm: starting at Frederick Field & Co., and retiring from its current iteration as Grant Thornton.
Although they were the perfect husband and wife, and father and mother, Tony and Maureen possessed different personalities that complemented each other: Tony calm and cerebral; Maureen energetic and adventurous. Tony was a good sport and tagged along on many of Maureen's international travel expeditions, always returning with a quiver of anecdotes and observations about the local culture and history. He especially enjoyed visiting the gorillas in Rwanda, and the penguins in the Falkland Islands, and the Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. He loved his semi-annual golfing holidays with his friends: playing at St. Andrews Old Course in Scotland and eating yorkshire pudding in Yorkshire were particularly fond memories.
Tony took quiet pleasure in hosting annual family reunions throughout North America with his three children and nine grandchildren: lifelong memories for three generations.
Tony was blessed with many loyal friends and colleagues, many of whom have passed on before him. Tony and Maureen enjoyed the company of their neighbours throughout the years in Kerrisdale; Seymour Heights; Shaughnessy; Terra Nova, Richmond; and Windermere, North Vancouver.
Tony was a voracious reader and enthusiastic golfer, but above all, a good and kind man. His children never saw him raise his voice in anger, or commit a selfish act, or say a mean-spirited word. He worked hard to provide for his family, and was generous in providing them with sporting, cultural, and travel experiences. He logged in many cold and rainy hours watching them at hockey, soccer, dance, and gymnastics. He kept his wits and gentle sense of humour to the end, which made the farewell even more difficult. He exhibited stoicism and grace in his final days.
His family thanks the physicians and staff of Vancouver General Hospital and BC Cancer Vancouver for their dedicated and kind care.
At his request, there will be no service.
His family would be very grateful for any photographs, memories, and anecdotes of Tony, for a commemorative book: [email protected]
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by North Shore News from Jan. 14 to Feb. 13, 2025.