Anthony "Tony" Sutherland

Anthony "Tony" Sutherland, 68, passed away on Nov. 16, 2015. He was born in Gladstone, Australia, to Noel and Barbara Sutherland. He was the "middle" of three brothers, his twin brother, David, who was a few minutes older, and Kim, who is 18 months younger.

He graduated from Marist Brothers College, and Adelaide Technical Institute. After working for his father on the family's sheep station, he went to work for West Australian Petroleum, a division of Chevron Oil, on Barrow Island, where his brilliance, ingenuity, and talent was recognized, and he was sent to the U.S. for further education and training at the University of Texas, Houston.

After returning to Australia, he immigrated to America, and in 1975 went to work for the newly opened Elk Hills, Naval Petroleum Reserves for the government contractor, Williams Brothers Engineering Company in California. He was immediately recognized as a demanding manager, and a talented, brilliant engineer, who could see problems from a different angle, and solve them; if a needed part or piece of equipment couldn't be obtained or didn't exist, he had it fabricated. He could fix anything but a broken heart. He always had "the bottom line" in mind and saved his employers many millions of dollars. He was also very adamant about safety, and wrote several safety manuals for the companies he worked for. His extraordinary ability and talent led him to, at the age of 30, become the superintendent of the largest mainland oilfield in the United States, supervising nearly 700 employees.

In 1980, he left for New York to work for Gruy, another contractor, operating the gas field for then Miller Brewing, now Owens Illinois, as a production engineer, where he was employed by Dufco at the time of his death.

He loved fishing, and taught his son, and many young people to fish. He had been an avid scuba diver in Australia. He was a dedicated Syracuse basketball and football fan, and all else went by the wayside when they played. He loved muscle cars, and his dream was to have a Boss Mustang. He was kind, nurturing, and inclusive to many. He had a wry, dry wit, and a great, good heart. He was an adored husband, father, grandfather, and brother.

Left to treasure his memory is his beloved wife of 32 years, Sherida; his son, Ian and his wife, Sarah, and the love of his life, granddaughter, Lilith; accumulated daughter, Melinda Fausel and her husband, Robert, and granddaughter, Karolyn, and grandson, Jensen Dean. Also, his brothers, twin David and his wife, Jennifer, of Aberdeen, Scotland, and their children, Aaron, and Jasmin; grandnieces, Eva Lily and Sophie; younger brother, Kim and his wife, Carol, of Adelaide, Australia, and their children, Ben and Kate, and brand new grandniece, Saffie.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015 in Willard Chapel, 17 Nelson St. #2, Auburn, NY.

In lieu of flowers, contributions to the Food Pantry or WCNY will be appreciated.