Saunders (Tony) Anthony Douglas, QC, BA, LLB
Anthony Douglas (Tony) Saunders, QC, BA, LLB., of Comox, British Columbia. Suddenly on February 10th, 2002. Born October 12th, 1940, Port of Spain, Trinidad, British West Indies. Predeceased by his father Leonard D.M. Saunders. Survived by his loving wife, companion, partner, and best friend, Vicki Bombini; Tony’s children: Shannon (Mike) Farrell, Leonard (Tara) D.M. Saunders, Charlene (Stefan) Saunders; and four dear grandchildren: Thomas Farrell, Jeffrey Farrell, Payton Saunders and Jesse Farrell. Also survived by his mother Gwyneth Saunders of Victoria, five brothers, one sister, and his former wife, Valerie.
Tony, the second oldest of seven children, left school after completing grade 10 at Oak Bay High School. Tony had a varied job career beginning as a Hudson’s Bay Fur Trade apprentice employed by the Hudson’s Bay Company in Fort Rae, N.W.T. in the 1950’s. He later returned to Victoria to work for the oldest clothing company in British Columbia, W.J. Wilson & Sons (est.1862). During his 6 1/2 year tenure he managed the Banff Springs store as well as the Vancouver Branch. During this period he studied at night at the B.C. High School Correspondence Program, and in the summer of 1964 completed his grade 12 at age 24. He then enrolled in the University of Victoria and graduated with an Honours B.A. in Political Science. During his final year at the University of Victoria he was also a teaching assistant. Tony entered U.B.C. law school and graduated in May of 1971. During his summers, while attending University, he drove Victoria Transit Buses for BC Hydro for 6 1/2 years as pay for his university education.
Tony was very active in the Progressive Conservative Party during his university years and afterwards. He was campaign chairman in 1974 for The Honourable Robert Stanfield. He was campaign chairman for The Right Honourable Joe Clark 1976-1979, and sat in the National Campaign Committee in Ottawa. He was President of the B.C. Labour Petition Board as well as 4 1/2 years as a Board Member of Vancouver Community College.
Tony was a long time member of the Vancouver Club (1980), and the Vancouver Lawn and Tennis Club (1976). He was appointed a Federal Queen’s Council in 1988. Tony was most proud of his 3 children, all of which obtained their undergraduate university degrees. As well, his son Leonard also obtained his law degree. In his younger days, before obtaining a formal education, he was a member of the Vancouver Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1961-63; Victoria Junior Chamber of Commerce, 1963-64. As a young person he was an alter boy at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Trent Village, Nova Scotia, 1951-52; St. Martin’s Anglican Choir, Halifax, 1953-54; St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Ottawa, 1954-56; St. George the Martyr, Cadboro Bay, 1956-57.
Tony was proud of the fact he began his working career as a grade 10 Hudson Bay Fur Trade apprentice in the N.W. Territories, and rose to become an advisor to the Prime Minister of Canada, achieve a Q.C. designation, and be a successful lawyer. He often said he appreciated being an immigrant’s son because Canada permitted new citizens to achieve their dreams.
Tony loved gardening, collecting antiques and traveling.
“Through adversity at a young age, come strength, courage, and success.”
Funeral Services for Tony will be held Friday, February 15th, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. in St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Comox, Father John Paetkau officiating, with burial in Cumberland Cemetery. PIERCY’S FUNERAL HOME in care of arrangements.