Antonio Papalia
January 23, 1945 – December 25, 2009
Tony, my companion, my friend, my brother. As I write these words I feel the warmth of your love for me. I feel your presence and I hear your voice whispering in my ear telling me to be strong; not to be sad and to never surrender. I hear you telling me that you will always be with me, your loved ones and friends.
I’ve gone back in my memories which are playing on the screens on my mind and I see from our childhood till now. We were always together, living fantastic adventures, sharing our pains, relishing our glories and perusing our dreams. You have been a tower of strength and my source of inspiration, as I hope I have been for you. Our goals and ambitions are noble and just and I solemnly promise that I will carry them on. I won’t let you down, you will always be proud of me as I am of you. Because you are with me, I will continue with double strength and vigor.
Tony, you have always been my hero, the unstoppable superman to whom nothing was impossible. You were a trailblazer who spent a lifetime perusing truth and justice and devoted your life to these beliefs. You remained loyal to your principals and you were truly a free spirit. I’m so grateful for all the courage and inspiration you have given me. You have taught me that love is the power that heals. You accepted the will and love of God and you gave it to everyone and everything.
Tony, you are a passionate soul and you helped everybody that needed help. You loved your family, your friends and had great respect for your fellow colleagues. Thank you for the memories and for all the love you have given me. Tony, you will live on through your children and grandchildren as they carry forward your creative spirit, your visions and ideals. You will live forever in our hearts, we will always be together in our dreams, I will forever love you more than life itself. Tony let me tell you, you can proudly say “I did it my way.” – Robert Papalia
“Growing Up with Tony Papalia”
L´amicizia é un sentimento che non si dimentica mai, anche a distanza di anni o di migliaia di chilometri.
Caro Robert, da te non mi aspettavo altro, il tuo commento alla memoria di Tony é toccante ed emozionante e chi vi ha conosciuto per davvero …. sa che quel che scrivi é tutta veritá.
Mi aggiungo alla voce silenziosa di Tony ed anch´io ti dico “…coraggio, non perderti d´animo, Tony sará sempre al tuo fianco, pronto a guidarti ed a suggerirti cosa fare….”.
Anche per me, anche se erano anni che non lo vedevo, é stata una perdita sensibile, sono passate due settimane da quando l´ho saputo e non mi ci sono ancora abituato.
Mi resta la soddisfazione di avergli parlato recentemente, ed avere, insieme, scoperto che la frase iniziale é VERA AL 100%.
Sono al tuo fianco, sono sicuro che un giorno la veritá verrá a galla.
Un abbraccio sincero
Luciano
——–
Friendship is a sentiment that is never forgotten, even after many years or thousands of miles away.
Dear Robert, I was not expecting from you less than this, your comment to the memory of Tony is moving and emotional and who deeply knew you both …. knows that what you write is the whole truth.
I would add to the silent voice of Tony and I tell you “… courage, do not lose heart, Tony is always at your side, ready to guide and suggest what to do ….”.
Even for me, though I had not seen him for years, was a significant loss, two weeks have passed since I knew and I am still not accustomed to.
I still have the satisfaction of having spoken to him recently, and have, together, discovered that the initial sentence is 100% TRUE.
I’m by your side, I’m sure that one day the truth will surface.
A sincere hug
Luciano
Hello Robert
I am truly sorry to hear of Tony’s passing at Chistmas of 2009. I cannot imagine what his passing has taken from and out of you. We have not talked in many years and we should. Call my toll free number from within Canada or the USA anytime and leave a message as to where I can contact you. The past is long forgotten and the future is indeed very bright.
Robert P