Tony Warner: one of Badenoch and Strathspey's kindest souls
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Tributes have been paid this week to ‘one the strath’s kindest souls’ following the death at 83 of Tony Warner.
The Kincraig man had won countless friends in his latter years through his selfless work with the Red Cross, serving behind the counter – and in front of it sometimes – at its Aviemore charity shop.
“I got to know Tony back in the early 70s when he, Rosi, my late husband and I all worked at the Post House,” said Margaret Saunders. “I worked in the control, or finance office.Tony also worked in other hotels in the Highlands before coming to the Post House.
“After my son Ben was born in 1975 I worked part time with Rosi in the cocktail bar when Tony was still head waiter. He was amazing to watch.
“He made every single customer feel special and even though I watched him at work when I had to have dinner with the area auditors he made us all feel special.
“I don’t think I have ever observed a better head waiter. He did it with such warmth, kindliness and genuineness - even when the customer was being somewhat tricky!”
Tony and Rosi were married at Loch Insh: “In their typical quirky way they arrived on painted striped bikes. I also remember when Tony was renovating their Railway Cottage in Kincraig and it was possible to take a short cut in front of the cottages along a wall by the railway line. Tony found quite a few items which had fallen in behind the walls and under floor boards and these included some cutlery and other things which were on the window sill for a while.
“Truly he was a gentle, kindly man who always thought of others – but he walked his own path and could in a very diplomatic way show he was not to be taken for a fool – and so often this was accompanied by a gentle quirkiness in the telling.”
Another old friend, Sandra Murray, told the Strathy: “I first met Tony when he told us the story of how his bride and him had cycled to their wedding.
“The bikes had been painted bright red and white I think and one had a brush on the rear mudguard which was for all the world like a donkey’s tail. He was quite a character and I took to him straight away.
“Later on as a financial advisor I was grateful to him for some good advice which stood me in good stead through some difficult times.
“He was a man of faith and answered my questions as far as his understanding allowed which also really helped me.
“What I loved the most was that he was just himself, he never tried to be anything else. He loved his family, was full of interesting and wild stories (mostly true I think) and was kind and thoughtful towards others. I am glad to have known him, the world has lost a lovely man.”
Mr Warner leaves a wife, Rosi, son Steel and daughter Jess. A service will be held at Insh Church on Tuesday at noon and he will be laid to rest in Kincraig cemetery.
