Feb. 28,1946 – December 30, 2024
Anthony Ronald Stranks (born Antony) was born on the island of Jersey in the UK, to Ron and Maureen. As a child he spent some time living at Elizabeth Castle at a cafe with his mother, and his father worked in the Navy. He later had to travel to and from the Royal Hospital boarding school by boat and train from ages 11-16, which he hated, before taking mechanics and moving to Canada in 1969. He had a younger brother, Jeff, but they did not know each other well until they were adults, due to the distance of school, and later lack of available types of communications, but they eventually became very close despite the great distance.
In the 70s he married Alice and had his daughter, Laura, in December 1977. When Laura was 11 they parted ways but Tony maintained a wonderful relationship with his daughter. They traveled together many times, the most memorable being their only trip as just father and daughter to Thailand in 2015. Tony also went to Japan for his 70th birthday with his brother Jeffrey and his wife Adriana. Tony went to Brazil many times to visit them since Jeff moved there in 1991. He loved to travel and went to many places and countries in his life.
Tony loved cars, Formula 1 racing, music, biking, and ballroom dancing with his loving partner of 24 years, Chrissy Lai. Chrissy called him “Bobby” after an old crooner they liked. He also liked bowling and was on a senior team for several years. He spent most of his working life as a Jaguar mechanic at MCL Motors in Vancouver before he happily retired.
Tony had some wonderful friends in his life, especially his long-time buddy Jeff Lewko who he lived with for a time in the early 90s, and his friend Roy Cabot, who also moved to Canada from Jersey not long before Tony did.
Tony will be greatly missed by many, particularly his girlfriend Chrissy, brother Jeff, and daughter Laura, who spent hours a day in the hospital with him in the weeks before he eventually passed away from cancer, which he had dealt with for 3 years, just a couple months short of turning 79 years old.
Tony was a quiet, helpful, generous, and kind man, prone to depression but also did not let it stop him from having a good time. He enjoyed socializing as long as he also got to have his solitude. He loved animals, though he did not have any pets in his later years – just his “grand-dogs” Leya and Marlee, who really loved him.
Tony was laid to rest at Heritage Gardens Cemetery on January 11th, 2025, in a green burial near lovely trees and will return to nature, which he also loved. A graveside service was held with many friends and loved ones present.
We all lovingly remember him and always will.
5 Comments
anthony gottenbos
Tony’s my former brother in law from many years ago. Good guy. Every couple of years I would bump into Tony and friends at various dance venues like Lulu’s lounge at the River Rock, Steveston ANAF club and several other spots. Always great to see him and catch up on what was going on in his life. He seemed to be enjoying his retirement. Gone too soon. R.I.P.
Chrissy
Sad farewell……… Bobby there are no goodbye for us, wherever you are you will always be in my heart. ❤️ I cherish all of your wonderful memories, and thank you for the life we shared, you’re gone but never forgotten, your spirit will always be with me, rest in peace sweetheart 😘
Laura
My Daddy, I will miss you so much forever. You were a wonderful man, a loving father, and a funny guy. You told the best puns. You helped me any time I needed help without question. I loved traveling with you and sharing fun times. I cherish the times we spent together and am so glad I could spend so much time with you in the last couple months of your life. I know I made you proud, and I hope I continue to. See you on the other side. ❤️
Gordon Le Feuvre
Hi, I’m Gordon Le Feuvre and live on island of Jersey. Guess I first met Tony ’66 time. Tony was working at a company called Tostevin, who rebuilt engines etc for motors and fishing boats. I worked at a local Jaguar dealer and Tony said maybe he could get a job there? Can’t remember our actual meet, but said I could get him an interview?
Tony got a job working on mainly Jaguars. We became firm friends, Tony visiting my family home and me his at his parents Ron and Maureen. Then in ’69 Tony said he had decided to emigrate – Vancouver! What a shock, I was devastated, wanting to go as well but had a wife and young child. Tony came into work and showed us the “latest air driven tool” no one had ever seen one in the whole UK!!
When leaving, Tony came for lunch and presented myself and Deamela (my wife) with most wonderful cutlery service. He said “to remember me.”
Over years we wrote to each other (Tony more than me). In the early ’80’s Tony brought Laura and Alice to see his birth place/ home.
His mom Maureen had gone to Vancouver to live after Ron had died, but missed her friends in Jersey so came back. I used to visit her occasionally.
Met Tony again in Vancouver 1998, when Jaguar did a world wide launch of XK8. Did not have long enough together as we were on the Jaguar time scale. Tony and Laura came back to Jersey after the death of their mom, with Jeff, to scatter her ashes. Although we lived oceans apart, Tony is always in my heart, you can’t find many people in life to really guard one’s back. Such a lovely, sincere man, never needing to try to work out if what he said was what he meant. Would only tell truth – what a man!!
Roy and Wilma Cabot
Hi, another Jersey channel Islander. I first met Tony back in September 1962, He was 16 I was 15 we both started our mechanics trade apprenticeship together at Le Motte St Trade School. Right from the start you couldn’t get enough of Tony’s dry humor & certain songs, ones that had a deep chorus line he would sing along. Even to this day there are certain songs that Wilma & I say to each other, that’s Tony’s song! At the conclusion of our training, we both challenged the “Citing Guild” exam, Tony passed which was no surprise, I failed. At the time we didn’t socialize, however I would see Tony at work at Tostevins engine rebuilding etc. I left Jersey 1967 along with a coworker Dave Turmel who I barely knew. A year & a half or so later, Dave went back to check on his parents. No sooner was he back on the Island he ran into Tony in town, (I didn’t know Dave & Tony knew each other). Tony said what are you doing here Dave I though you were in Canada? To cut the story short, Tony then asked where’s Roy? is He’s still in Canada? can you get in touch with him? because I’m emigrating in 4 days, Dave gave him a contact of ours. Friday July 4th, 1969, I just so happened to be going to see my friends the people who had sponsored me & Dave. I walked in started talking to the wife when she said don’t you know this guy? I said no, with that Tony spoke up & said hi Roy it’s me Tony Stranks. Wow, all he had to say was hi, there is only one person in the whole wide world with a special voice like his what a fabulous surprise. He moved in with me, two months later we went to a night club called Diamond Jims on Thurlow St Vancouver, the doorman said where do you boys want to sit? it was empty except for two women sitting up ahead, we said any where, why don’t you boys go chat up those two birds? So we did, one became my wife. The moral of the storey, I owe so much to Tony for dropping in on me like he did. We will never forget you Tony.
Roy & Wilma Cabot