Obituary of Everett Allan Coe
Everett “Tony” Coe
Former Employee of the TTC
After suffering a recent stroke, Tony passed away peacefully at Lakeridge Health Oshawa onMay 2nd, 2021 just 6 days before his 88th birthday.
Beloved husband of Audrey “Babe” (nee Salkeld). Dear father of Janice (Jeff) Brackett; Mike (Janet); Bobby (Helen) and Tracey (Bob) Drew-Brook. Cherished grandpa of Melissa (Mat), Stephen (Laura), Allison (Jay), Shannon (Chris), Jordan, Jade, Tristan, Dawson, Jenna (Kevin) and Shawn (Kirstie). Adored great-grandpa of Travis, Matilyn, Emily, Alyssa, Emma, Carson and Peyton. Tony will be lovingly remembered by extensive family and countless friends.
Tony grew up in Toronto. He had four siblings and four half siblings. When he was a child all his friends and family called him ‘Red’ due to his red hair. When he was a teenager and started putting Brylcream in his hair it became a very dark auburn. A curl kept escaping onto his forehead and his friends all started calling him Tony after the Toni home perm. From that point on most people did not know his real name was Everett...even his children!
At 18 Tony met Audrey and they married on his 21st birthday. Audrey was ‘Babe’ to her friends and family. She was the youngest child. Over the next ten years Tony and Babe had four children. Tony worked as the service manager for John Pierce Holdings. (He had taught himself to repair machines by taking them apart and putting them back together. It was a talent he never lost. He could fix anything it seemed) He enjoyed his job at Pierce but at the age of 40, Tony decided he needed to have a pension so he joined the TTC and worked out of Birchmount division until his retirement at age 65. At the time of his retirement he got cancer. Undaunted, he fought it and won.
On their 25th anniversary Tony secretly arranged to renew his wedding vows with Babe on a cruise ship with their original best man and maid of honor, Bill and Nancy Coe. He gave her a new engagement ring since Babe had accidently thrown her original one in the garbage. Babe and Tony went on to do a lot of travelling. They went to Spain, Hawaii, Tofino BC, Italy, Greece, Britain, Ireland, Alaska, Newfoundland and many other places.
When Tony was 75 he noticed Babe was having memory issues. When he was 77 she had stopped being able to form new memories. Tony became her caregiver. He did his best and for the next ten years they stayed in their home in Wilmot Creek. They took their last trip with their daughters in 2015, flying to California and cruising through the Panama Canal to Florida with many interesting stops along the way. Babe turned 80 on that cruise. Tony gave her another beautiful ring.
A year ago his Tony’s cancer made a reappearance. His children struggled to support them from a distance to allow them their independence for as long as possible. Recently, their son Mike and daughter-in-law Janet invited Tony and Babe to move in with them and they accepted. They were set to move in May 1st. His chidren were thrilled that their dad would be able to enjoy the rest of his life being cared for instead of being the caregiver.
On April 28th, Tony had a stroke. He died on May 2nd. His family and friends were stunned by his death and saddened that they have not been able to hug him since Covid happened and now would never be able to again.
Tony was an optimist. His outlook was always positive. He would even see having a stroke as positive because a cancer death would likely be long and painful. Everyone he met enjoyed his company and his smile. He set a wonderful example for his children who will remember him with love for as long they live.
Due to current restrictions there will be no service at this time, a Celebration of his Life will be held when it is safe to do so. Arrangements entrusted to NORTHCUTT ELLIOTT FUNERAL HOME, 53 Division St. Bowmanville. Memorial Donations may be made to The Cancer Society.
