Hello all,
Wow. The billowing response to Tony’s death is quite beyond what he might have imagined or hoped. He would have been delighted.
Ten days ago, in anticipation of the fifth anniversary of HomelessManSpeaks (October 23rd), I asked Tony what big difference the blog had made for him. His answer: “I found out I could get to the kids and tell them … don’t do what I did … they’ve gotta stick it out in school and just stay away from drugs and alcohol and especially the hard stuff.” (A terrible fact: Tony was first coaxed into using opiates at the age of thirteen.)
As to memorial services and such, watch this space — people are working on it. Tentatively, we’re planning a reception at Alternative Grounds sometime this weekend.
See the many, many extraordinary comments to the previous post.
Homeless Man Speaks 
October 20, 2011 at 1:09 pm
Please contact me or his grand daughter please..
October 20, 2011 at 1:50 pm
So awesome!
October 20, 2011 at 6:35 pm
has anyone heard foy vance’s “gabriel and the vagabond”? everytime i played it i thought (think) of tony
October 21, 2011 at 9:44 am
I never met Tony and only knew him through his blog.There was much about him I admired. I wish I had met him but I live in a remote spot and do not get to the city often. I wrote a small tribute to him on my blog
http://philiprobinson.blogspot.com/
October 21, 2011 at 12:19 pm
Good-bye Tony. I never got to meet you in real life, but at least I got to know you through this blog. Your voice will be missed, as I’m sure your presence will be by those who knew you.
April 2, 2012 at 1:18 pm
I am very sad to hear of Tonys death. I feel lucky to have known him and his good humor.
I hope that this blog will continue, expand and grow. it is a great way ot humanizing our most impovrished.Tony had a way of connecting with people.