Anthony (Tony) BATESON

Anthony “Tony” George Harry Bateson, aged 65, died on Thursday, April 26th, 2018 at 10:10 pm at the Palliative Care Unit, a wing of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, in Nanaimo, British Columbia with his beloved wife Julie by his side. Tony was born on August 9th, 1952 in Manchester, England to Wilfred and Mary “Molly” (Mutter) Bateson, and was the oldest of five siblings; Carol, Mary, Martin and Ann. As a young child, his family immigrated to Canada and settled in London, Ontario. From an early age, Tony lived on a farm and was surrounded by animals. From 18 months of age, Tony found his love for horses, and over his youth he became an accomplished equestrian rider. Tony excelled in Dressage and owned and bred four thoroughbred horses. Apart from his passion for horses, his creativity was never bound to one interest. Tony’s creative side was bold, sporadic and often misunderstood, and took him on many adventures in life. Tony always explored new interests and ideas in the form of inventions, the art of Masonry (such as his brick BBQs), his love for visual art (especially Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso) and even found an interest in Hairstyling. Tony’s passions and interests allowed him to live in many places: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Toronto, Ontario, Vancouver, British Columbia, and even spent a short time in Bermuda and Miami. Tony’s dabbling in the art of hairstyling lead him to a 35 year long career as a hairstylist. When he wasn’t doing hair, he spent his time immersing himself in his other passion in brick and stone masonry, often coming up with creative solutions to problems, and spent a short time training horses. Tony moved back to London, Ontario in the late 1980’s, where he met and married his wife Julie. Together they had identical twin daughters Chelsey and Caitlin born in 1991. In 2001, Tony and his family moved to Nanaimo, British Columbia where he remained until his death on April 26th, 2018. Tony loved nothing more than being by the ocean and often spent most mornings with a Tim Horton’s Coffee, taking in the view as he sat in contemplation at Sebastian Beach in Lantzville. Tony is predeceased by his mother Molly and his father Wilf, and is survived by his wife Julie and daughters Chelsey and Caitlin, his 3 sisters Carol, Mary and Ann and brother Martin, nieces, nephews, and great niece and nephew.

In Lieu of flowers, a donation to the BC Cancer Agency or the Nanaimo Palliative Care Unit at NRGH would be appreciated.

Special thanks to the wonderful staff at the Palliative Care unit at the NRGH: you showed great care in performing your difficult jobs. Doing what you do is hard work and you all perform so flawlessly. You all made this tough journey easier for Tony’s family, and for that we are eternally grateful. We will always cary Tony’s memory in our hearts.

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