Anthony Platt

The world is a far less interesting place today, as we announce the passing of Anthony Platt on April 27, 2023, at the age of 82. A wonderful husband, dad, and grandad, Tony was a proud Bolton, Lancashire lad (born on Aug. 2, 1940) who took his beloved wife Joyce on a short adventure to Western Canada in 1967. That short adventure turned into a lifetime together in Calgary, Alberta, where Tony and Joyce raised their children Sonja and Michael.

Widowed far too early in 1999, Tony was then blessed to find Deanna, a kindred spirit in gardening, collecting and ragdoll cats. Married in the mountains of Banff, Deanna and Tony were well-known to the antique and gardening community, as they whizzed around in their sporty convertible, looking for treasures and new roads to explore.

As well as his “Dee-Dee Duck”, Tony leaves behind his daughter Sonja Tkachuk (Peter); son Michael Platt (Jenna McMurray); step-daughter Stacy Kyle; plus six adored grandchildren – Dominic, Thomas, Elliott, Seren, Tiegen, and Talisen; as well as extended family back in England; and many friends who were like second family here in Canada.

A man of wisdom, humour, and obsessions, Tony will be deeply missed for his remarkable mind, which contained the Latin names of every plant in his elaborate garden, and biographical details for every Roman emperor and British monarch, because that’s what collecting coins apparently required. Over his lifetime, Tony turned his focus to tropical fish, mountain climbing, telescopes, photography, motorcycles, breeding snakes, antique swords, grandfather clocks, cross-country skiing, football and bonsai trees, to name but a few.

That Tony decided, at the age of 70, to learn how to play guitar simply because he found them fascinating, speaks to the limitless curiosity of his mind – but then, he also learned to skate at the age of 40, so he could take part in an full-contact ice hockey game three weeks later.

He will be sorely missed, and the world will be less interesting without him.  But if a life can be measured in the memories a person leaves behind, the story of Tony Platt will continue for years to come.

A heartfelt thank you to staff at Rockyview Hospital. At Tony’s request, there will be no funeral service.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Anthony Platt, please visit our floral store.