Toni Gleeson (1983) R.I.P.
I received so many messages on August 17th to let me know that a dear friend to some many alumni had passed away.
His friend and classmate Paul Whitelaw has posted so eloquently below that it is worth sharing.
Thinking of Toni‘s family and many friends at this very sad time.
May he Rest in Peace.
A Fond Farewell.
It is with great sadness that we will be saying ‘Goodbye’ to one of my oldest friends tonight.
After a quiet, dignified, and extremely brave battle with Cancer, lasting three and a half years, my old housemate, and friend, from our school days, sadly passed away at his house in Lluchmayor on Sunday evening.
We graduated together, from Shannon College of Hotel Management in 1983. Back then, there was no Facebook, or Social Media. We had Pubs, Music, and Dreams..we drifted away from our classmates and each other.
Years later, we surprisingly, found each other again, living just miles apart in Mallorca.. and our stories reconnected.
Similar to us, together with his lovely wife Ruth, they owned and operated restaurants, turning eventually to being executive head chef on Cruise Liners based in the Pacific and Carribbean.
Having discovered Whatsapp and FB, we endeavored to honor the wise old words of our College director, Jorgen Blum, to ‘keep the contact’ and we had a class reunion in Mallorca in 2024 that was unforgettable.
Toni is survived by Ruth, his amazing wife of 39 years, his beautiful daughter, Cristina, and his entrepreneurial Chef son, Ben.
The gates are open, and the Ferryman has been paid, his final destination begins tonight as we say goodbye to one of life’s greatest, and kindest souls.
There to greet him are his family and friends whom have gone before him. No doubt, a fanfare of golden bugles await.
You will be missed me old mucker, never forgotten, an inspiration to so many.
We are all, but a few footsteps behind you.
Now Rest in Peace dear friend.
Paul Whitelaw, Class of 1983
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