On Monday we received the very sad news that one of our
local community stalwarts had died and I feel it only proper that I pay tribute
to Tony Geake.
Tony and his wife Margaret have given much of their lives to
supporting and raising funds for our local hospice at Mount Edgcumbe. It is not
over stating it to say that it is unlikely the hospice would even be here in
our town if it wasn’t for the generosity and commitment of this special couple.
From the original gift of the land the hospice is built on,
their legendary annual lunch by the lake event that they hosted, to their
tireless fund raising efforts in so many ways, they really have become
synonymous with the work of Cornwall Hospice Care.
Like so many local families mine owes an incredible debt of
gratitude to the hospice and therefore to this special couple. Not only from my
time as Mayor and now MP, but from our own family experience of my mother being
cared for and finally passing away at the hospice, I know how very lucky we are
to have this facility in our town.
I had the privilege of getting to know Tony in recent years
through my involvement with supporting the hospice as it was my Mayoral charity.
He truly was the finest example of what our town, and indeed Cornwall, as a
whole, stands for. His generosity of heart, pride in our community and
commitment to the cause coupled with his unassuming humility, stands as an
example to us all. He leaves behind an
incredible legacy of community spirit.
I know he will be greatly missed by Margaret and the rest of
the family and his many friends and our thoughts and prayers are with them at
this time. But I know he will also be hugely missed by so many others in this
town.
On behalf of our town and the countless people whose lives
you touched – thank you Tony. Rest in peace.
