We Remember
![](https://www.springfieldfuneralhome.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BADIOR-Tony-300x300.jpg)
BADIOR, Anton “Tony” August
—
Tony passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Friday, March 6, 2020 after a short stay at Kelowna General Hospital. He was 86 years old and is survived by his wife of 59 years, Gertrud; daughter Suzanne (Max); sons Michael and David; as well as grandchildren Alexandra, Bethany, and Kyrie.
Tony immigrated to Canada from Germany as a young man in 1954 and worked in Winnipeg, MB on the railroad and a lumber camp. Later, he moved to Kitimat, BC and worked for Alcan until 1972. He married Gertrud in 1961 and started a family. The family moved to the Kootenays in 1972 and in 1975 he moved our family to Chilliwack, BC for a few years. When he had the opportunity to work for the provincial government, we all packed up and moved to the Lower Mainland. Tony stayed there until he retired in 1998. Upon retirement, they picked up stakes and moved to Kelowna, BC and enjoyed many years with friends in the central Okanagan community.
Tony was a very giving person and spent many years taking care of people in the communities he lived in. He had given blood (and sometimes bone marrow) so often, the Red Cross at the time acknowledged his contributions with an award. He had more than 50 years of community service as a Lions Club Member and worked his way through all the Executive positions in the various clubs he was a member of and did a stint as Lion’s Zone Chairman as well. During his many years of service to the community, his favourite club fund raising events and projects were Camp Squamish, Camp Winfield, the North Delta Family Day and annual Westbank Lions Club pickerel dinner.
Tony was strong willed, opinionated, and called a spade a spade. He had an incredible work ethic when he got involved with a project. Woe betide anyone who got in his way when he wanted something done. Tony was not a fence sitter, anyone who spoke with him knew exactly which side of the fence he was on, and of course what side of the fence the listener should be on as well. He was loved and respected by many and reviled by a few. Tony didn’t care as long as stuff got done.
Tony was also one of the influencers who incessantly hounded governments, businesses, and individuals into funding, designing and building what became Kelowna Hospice House in 2008. His biggest achievement was when Kelowna Hospice House opened. He spent many years at the bedside of people who needed a person to help guide them or just sitting there to comfort as they neared the end of their lives. Tony also helped many families deal with the passing of their loved ones. Staff at the hospital referred to Tony as “Mr. Hospice” in his final days.
The family gratefully acknowledges the care and compassion demonstrated by all the staff at Kelowna General Hospital. Due to the uncertainty created by COVID-19 there will be no celebration of life at this time. In lieu of flowers, any donations made to Hospice House, hospicehousekelowna.com, in Tony’s name would be gratefully accepted.
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One of us must leave,
One or the other must stay,
That is forever the way.
That is the vow that was sworn,
Faithful ‘til death do us part.
Braving what had to be born,
Hiding the aches in the heart.
One, however adored,
First must be summoned away.
That is the will of the Lord,
One or the other must stay.
I will never foreget him and always miss him.
I will always remember him and always miss my uncle Tony
Toni was a good friend of mine at Sandpointe Retirement, where we both lived, and where we served Pancakes, omelets and frankfurters to the inhabitants of Sandpointe, every April and July. Toni always could be counted on to do his part, especially with the franks. We, at Sanpointe, will all miss Toni for his wit, comradeship and willingness to help others. He was a very good man and a friend in-deed. Rest peacefully, my friend.