I know we are all feeling the loss of our very dear friend, Tony, and I know we will all be there for one another during this difficult time.. I find that very comforting. Since I've been very open about my experiences with FIRST and how it has given my family and I great pleasure, I figured I'd share something with you all. As you all know, Tony had a gift of touching thousands of people. I remember when he first sat down with me to encourage me to volunteer with FIRST two years ago, I told him "Tony, when you get involved in something, the cause does not just get "you", but thousands follow you!". His excitement and encouragement sold me on FIRST and I'll always be grateful for that!

One person I had to break the news to was my son Peter. Peter, as you know, is a volunteer for FIRST and like many of us, looked at Tony as the heart and soul of the Javitz Ctr FIRST expo. When I told Peter last night, he looked at me with disbelief, eyes filling up with tears.. My husband immediately asked ' Tony who?" and Peter jumped in and said… " Dad, Tony , the big guy on the Segway with the big smile!".. I realized then how even just being in Tony's presence a few times for the event, he was also feeling the loss..the emptiness. Even with all the responsibilities of running the event, Tony would always slowdown on the segway to give a quick smile and wave to Peter. He would stop by the "pit' and ask me if he was enjoying himself or needed anything.

He was that kind of spririt, that kind of guy.

As we remember our dear friend and share in the stories and the tears.. We will all carry of piece of his memory with us always.

Augusta Sanfilippo
Credit Suisse