Obituary of Tony Sonderup

After a life well lived, the family of Tony Sonderup announce his passing on Tuesday February 20th, 2024, in his 88th year. He leaves behind his loving wife Elaine of 44 years and their children, Peter (Michele) Gerrie (Jean-Paul) Liam (Hana), and Aileen (Nick). Beloved Grandpa / Tata to Nicholas, Sara, Clare, Layne & Shaye, Atticus & Whittaker. Survived by his younger sister Joan (Barry) and their family in Australia as well as several nieces and nephews in South Africa. Tony was born the middle of 10 children in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 1936 and always spoke of his homeland to anyone who would listen. After graduating from the Seminary, Tony worked as a Catholic priest in South Africa before emigrating from his beloved homeland, working at parishes all over North America before fate brought him to London, Ontario. There he met and fell in love with Elaine, a widow who had immigrated from Northern Ireland with her three children. After receiving dispensation from the church, Tony stepped out of his vocation there and into the vocation of marriage and the role of stepfather, where together they raised their blended family of four kids. He embarked on a new career in real estate at Royal LePage Triland Realty for 26 years and then as a Grief Counsellor at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery before retiring. An avid walker, Tony could be found daily in Springbank Park or walking around Byron, striking up conversations with people he met along the way. He had a unquenchable thirst for knowledge, spoke eight languages and was member of the National Geographic Society for 51 years. Tony's empathy endeared him to many, and he proudly served as the President of both the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors and the Byron Optimists. One of Tony’s greatest gifts was his sense of humour, and he never missed an opportunity to share a good pun. He was also an expert in the etymology of language, and you knew you were about to learn something when he started a sentence with “From the Latin word …” Sincere thanks to his Ye Olde Silo friends and neighbours for their support, compassion and meals. Thank you to the Palliative team at St. Elizabeth’s, Home and Community Care Support Services & the staff at McCormick Home’s Day Program as well as Oakcrossing LTC who cared for him and our family with love and dignity throughout this journey. Cremation has taken place. Private Inurnment at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Visitation will take place at St. George Parish in Byron - 1164 Commissioners Rd W, London, On. on Saturday February 24th, 2024, from 10:30am - 11:30am followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at 11:30am. Reception to follow. Please come and share your memories with us. The Mass will be live-streamed at sgtvlondon.ca. Condolences can be made through www.londoncremation.com. In lieu of flowers, a contribution to St. Vincent De Paul- www.ssvplondon.ca or the Alzheimer Foundation Southwest Partners, www.alzswp.ca would be appreciated.