Anthony L. "Tony" COX

1936 - 2023

Born in Sydney, Australia on May 26, 1936, Tony peacefully passed away surrounded by family in Palliative Care at Royal Jubilee Hospital on January 3, 2023 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by his beloved wife, Donna, of 18 years, two stepchildren Janet (Ray) Gairdner and Mark (Jody) Pavesic, former wife Barbara, sons Jeffrey (Heather), Lindsay (Caralee). He will be dearly missed by the grandchildren Kodi, Kelsey, Keely, Alisa and Jenelle. Tony is also survived by his sister Julia (Brian) Woolmer and family in Sydney, Australia. Predeceased by his father, Frank, in 1982 and mother, Melva, in 1992.

As his life and adventures began, Tony became a prefect at Sydney's prestigious Grammar School where he became very proficient in cricket and rugby. After graduation, he moved to the Australian Outback and became involved in the cattle industry.

In 1958, as a young man determined to see the world, Tony decided a move to Canada would be his first stop. Once he arrived, he quickly became interested in a future in broadcasting.

It wasn't long before Tony was hired at CFCW in Camrose, Alberta before moving to CFRN-TV in Edmonton. There he won several RTNDA awards, one of which was "Arctic Angel", a resupply mission for scientists near the North Pole. Another for recording the first commercial barrel of oil extracted from the Athabasca Oil Sands.

Next on Tony's agenda was twenty years as News Director of CHEK TV in Victoria, BC where he was elected President of the Radio and Television News Director of Canada.

During his CHEK years, he became Chairman of the Board, Oak Bay Parks and Recreation, a Director at the Garth Home Centre for the Mentally and Physically Challenged, a founding Director of Victoria Crime stoppers, Rotarian of the Year in 1990 with the Victoria Rotary Club and more recently, a member of Langford's Protective Services Committee.

Tony was an avid cricketer with the Castaways CC as a wicket keeper for nearly thirty years until his playing days ended. He loved the game so he continued on as a valued umpire.

As a keen recreational mariner, Tony was familiar with the waters of Puget Sound from Lake Washington as far north as Desolation Sound.

After retiring from broadcasting, Tony pursued various interests for the next twenty years. They included working as an Executive Assistant with the BC Government, a ferry skipper with Victoria Harbour Ferries, a patrol officer with Transport Canada in Victoria Harbour and a security officer at Government House for the Lieutenant Governor of BC, The Honourable Janet Austin.

After retiring, Tony became a keen gardener and was the envy of all of the neighbours.

Cremation has taken place. A private family gathering will happen at a later date. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Maria Dibb, Dr. Andrew Attwell and Dr. Alexander (at the Victoria Cancer Clinic). A special thank you, also, to the nurses and physicians at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Palliative Care.