Tony Mace - Wythall 41 Club
ANTHONY JOHN MACE 24 April 1940-20 April 2020
Tony was born in Sorrento Maternity Hospital, Moseley, Birmingham four days before me; our paths didn’t cross again until October 1966, when my wife and I moved to Hollywood as newlywed’s.Tony became our milkman and good friend. Having taken over the family business as a Dairyman, with very early starts and a seven day week he still found time for hobbies including hill climb competitions in a Ford Special and membership of Young Farmers.
He married Carol and they had three sons, David, Richard and Matthew. Tony was also a member of the highly trained Red Cross Detachment that ran Wythall Ambulance, one of the last voluntary permanent Ambulance Stations in the country. It was manned from 7.00pm till 11.00pm at the Station and then on call from home until 7.00am weekdays and 24 hours every day at weekends plus all Public Holidays.
I joined the Detachment and served with Tony, I had been a Red Cross volunteer for many years and a member of Moseley Round Table 316 since 1962.
Tony expressed a keen interest in Table and at my suggestion joined Moseley Round Table. He soon realised there was great potential for a new Table, with so many prospective members living in the area. He urged Moseley R T to investigate the viability of forming a daughter Table. I was appointed secretary of the extension committee and Wythall Round Table started in 1972 with 43 new members. Tony was the founder Chairman and it was his vision and enthusiasm that resulted in the impact of Wythall R T in Area and R T B I Nationally.
Tony always community minded, together with a local family butcher, Max Field, they formed a great team raising many thousands of pounds for Hospices and other local Charities.
Tony also served as a Parish Councillor and for a year held the prestigious position of Bromsgrove District Council Chairman
Early one foggy morning in 1978 Tony was at work, standing behind his Milk Delivery Van, when he was crushed by a car, causing horrendous leg injuries which were life threatening. Wythall Ambulance took him to hospital, where he pleaded with the surgeons to save his legs, which they did, but he was to suffer from these injuries for the rest of his life.
Unable to carry on his business he eventually took on the responsibility of National Sales Officer at Marchesi House, a wide ranging role, including organization of the National Conferences which at that time were massive undertakings.
Two years ago Tony’s health declined and he moved to a Nursing Home in Stratford on Avon.During the Covid epidemic whilst the Home was in lock down, with no visitors allowed,Tony passed away, four days prior to his eightieth birthday.
Carol and son Matthew predeceased Tony, eldest son David lives in Corfu,Matthew’s wife Sylvana, and their daughters Sienna and Claudia live in Australia sowere unable to attendtheFuneral.
Richard, wife Marisa, son Luke and daughter Tilly arranged, on behalf of all the family a very fitting tribute for Tony, in the form of a floral arrangement. Milk bottle shaped, using white flowers capped with a top of gold flowers bearing the initialsA J M on the side.
Years ago Tony had expressed the wish that at his funeral his coffin be taken to the Crematorium by an electric milk float, Richard had sourced one for that purpose but Covid Lock down made that wish impossible to fulfil.
When able, an event will be organized by Wythall 41 Club to Celebrate Tony’s life and to recognise the huge impact that membership of Round Table brought to so many, all due to the determined actions of one very special man.
Tony was a true friend, caring, and generous, hard working, reliable and loved by many.
Rest in Peace my friend.
John Smith
President Moseley 41 Club
