When I found out about Tony’s passing, I was in the middle of researching Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica and the question that was in front of me was, “What is happiness?” Aquinas explains that happiness could only be found in a universal goodness. And that is what Tony brought to this world...universal goodness...and he encouraged all of us to be a part of and demonstrate this universal goodness to everybody.
One of my favorite photos of Tony was taken by Francis George, the photographer who also took the photos for our poetry book. It was of him peering into a Zappos box and seeing a brilliant light come out. This picture captured the essence of Tony, an illuminated spirit who was kind and compassionate, who saw the light in each and everyone of us and inspired us to step outside of the box so that we could shine not only for others and ourselves to see, but also to serve as a beacon so that others may also find their light and shine in this universe.
I am so grateful to have been part of the world that Tony created and I will remember him most for his generosity in spirit in that he granted everybody the freedom of beingness so that we could find our own happiness. Whenever we smile at another, are kind and compassionate to others, experiencing joy in life, I know that we are all a part of Tony’s delivering happiness in this world. ✨🕊