Anthony William McManus

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Anthony “Tony” William McManus on Saturday, October 14th at the age of 83. Tony had been a guest of Vernon Jubilee Hospital battling a number of ailments for the past few months, eventually succumbing to COPD.

Tony was predeceased by his father Tom, mother Margaret, brother Alexander (Alex) McManus, sister Margaret (Mickey) Watts. He is survived by son Brandon, sister in law Frances, nephews, Kevin, Michael and Kory and niece Marnee.

Tony was born in Perth, Scotland with his family emigrating to Canada and making a home in Ottawa before moving to the village Kars on the banks of the Rideau River South of Ottawa. He grew up playing any sport he could try out for and was good at all of them, especially basketball and football. Tony met his lifelong friend John Davy in Kars and they both graduated from South Carleton High School in the early 1960’s.  Tony made many trips back East to visit with his family and also made time to visit his friend John and wife Gayle .They finally made the trip to Vernon for a visit with him ,and to see the sights .  During his time at High School , he had great moves on the dance floor and was loved by the girls , Gayle said !

He lived in Ottawa with friends and worked for the federal government for a year.

His passion for sports eventually saw him become a ski instructor, it is rumoured he taught Prime Minister Justin Trudeau how to ski at Mont Tremblant.

A classic story-teller it was sometimes difficult to know for sure how much he was embellishing, thus his nickname “Tony Baloney!”

With a little nudge from some unsavoury characters in Montreal in 1967, Tony took the show on the road and moved to Banff to teach skiing at Sunshine, life guarding in the summer months, with some bartending thrown in for good measure. All three professions allowed him to pursue his other passion. A self professed ladies man with the gift of the gab he was never shy of female company, and always the life of the party.

An offer to become a ski instructor at TillicumValley Winterside Resort for Molly and Sandy Boyd brought Tony over the Rockies to his forever home in Vernon B.C., minus a few surfing adventures in California. After ski season Tony turned to coaching several championship Slo-pitch teams including his favourite group “The Vernon Royals Ladies Slo-pitch team.”

Tony also loved to golf and having a glance through his address book showed every clubhouse number in the Vernon area. He also played tennis, curled and bowled.

Tony loved a good or bad joke and his affable manner made him a hit in the hospitality industry where he worked at several Vernon establishments as a fine dining waiter and bartender, including Squires Four, the Village Green Hotel El Paso Lounge, Hy’s Steak House and B.C. Liquor Stores in Vernon and Lumby. Many of Tony’s life long friends were made through his employment.

In his later years Tony enjoyed sitting by the creek near his residence in the Pleasant Valley Mobile Home park, a campfire, reminiscing with friends, telling the same joke over and over again, and writing poetry.

A wake will be held at Squires Four Public House Wednesday October 25th starting at 5:30. Come and share a laugh, a story and a pint in remembrance. Donations in his memory may be made to the Knights of Columbus or North Okanagan Hospice Society.

Arrangements entrusted to

Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services 250-558-0866

Condolences may be expressed to the family by phone or email through Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services: