Tony de St Dalmas

Tony de St Dalmas passed away early in the morning of 8 June 2010 following an illness.

Tony, a Rotarian since 1972, was Past President of the Rotary Club of Southgate, and much loved and respected throughout the Rotary world. He held several offices including the President of Rotary in Great Britain & Ireland 2002/03.

Tony was Rotary International Director in 2005/07, Governor of District 1130 during 1985/86, Chairman of the RI Board Executive Committee in 2006/07, aide to RI President John Kenny in 2009/10, a Paul Harris Fellow, Foundation Benefactor, recipient of the Rotary Foundation Citation for Meritorious Service and of the International Service Award for a Polio Free World.

He was instrumental in setting up Stroke Awareness Day in partnership with the Stroke Association. This national event has helped identify health issues and potentially saved many lives using simple blood pressure checks.

Members, partners and friends of the Rotary Club of Southgate and the Inner Wheel Club of Southgate are deeply shocked by the news of the tragic loss of Tony. He was a true gentle man, a loyal friend and an inspirational Rotarian who will be missed by all his friends throughout the Rotary world and beyond.

Our heartfelt condolences go to his wife Peggy at this very sad time.

A Service of Thanksgiving for Tony’s life, will be held at St. Paul’s Church, Church Hill,
Winchmore Hill, London N21 1JA on Friday the 2^nd July at 2 pm, to which everyone is invited. Peggy de St. Dalmas requests that no mourning clothes be worn. A smaller family funeral will be held earlier.

Condolences may be sent to the family at Aber, 61 Merridene, London N21 1RD England. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Rotary Foundation in memory of Tony De St. Dalmas.

If you would like to leave a memory of Tony for publishing on this page, please email it HERE

MEMORIES OF TONY

Tony and I were friends for more than 20 years, As my aide, he was assiduous in his duties and meticulous in attending to the many facets of the position. I valued Tony as a confidant. Tony and his wife, Peggy, were a devoted couple. Our thoughts are with Peggy at this time. The suddenness of Tony's passing makes it all the more poignant. My wife, June, and I shall both miss him dearly.

John Kenny, RC Grangemouth D1020, President Rotary International 2009/10

Please pass my heartfelt condolences to the family of the late Mr Tony de St Dalmas
.. May his sole rest in peace.
Srithevi Padmanathan, RC Canary Wharf D1130

Tony came to our business one day in 1995 and invited me to his club, the Rotary Club of Southgate. I joined early in 1996 and then Sue was approached by Peggy to join Inner Wheel. We are both so grateful to them for introducing us to the life changing experience that is Rotary and Inner Wheel.
Jeremy Jessel, PP RC Southgate, AG North East Area D1130

I am writing from Vancouver. Very sad news indeed. Please convey my heartfelt sympathies to Peggy and family.

Suraiya Kassamally, PP RC Barkingside, AG Central Area D1130

I had the good fortune to meet Tony on my first "tentative" visit to Southgate Rotary in 1996. He told me then that the more you put in to Rotary the more you get out of it. How right. Tony was a Rotarian through and through and both Melba and I consider
ourselves fortunate in meeting both him and Peggy.
Philip Mallinder, PP RC Southgate now RC Callington D1290

I first met Tony and Peggy over 30 years ago. The year I became president of my club he was District Governor. He proved to be an inspirational leader and encouraged me to take an active role in the affairs of the District. When I, in due course, became Governor he was a valued mentor, freely offering advice when asked and he was invariably right. The high regard in which he was held is evident from the the list of important Rotary offices to which he was elected or selected, but he remained realistic and down-to-earth, always approachable, and always enthusiastic about the organisation he loved. Those of us lucky enough to have known him will remember his rather devilish sense of humour which was always affectionate and never malicious when directed at individuals. He will be missed by many, many people for many, many reasons. Rest in Peace Tony.
Alan Coleman, PP RC of Barkingside, PDG D1130

When Jeremy first joined Rotary we heard the current RI President speak. He said that we would always remember the person who had introduced us into Rotary – “who touched you?” he asked. Well Jeremy was touched by Tony and I by Peggy, joining Inner Wheel shortly afterwards. For various reasons, we had avoided joining for years, but it was Tony’s gentle but persuasive approach and Peggy’s kindness which got us hooked. Then when I joined Rotary 10 years later it was Tony who gave the inspirational keynote speech at my induction. This week, we have lost a cherished friend to whom we shall be forever thankful for extending the hand of friendship to us. This week, we have lost a very special friend for whom we cherish so many memories. He will always have a very special place in our hearts.

Sue Jessel PP Inner Wheel Club of Southgate, PDC D13

PE Rotary Club of Enfield Chase D1130

I write this from Israel where I now live. I was truly sorry to read of Tony's passing. I remember him as the DG in my first year as a Rotarian speaking at District Assembly and was pleased to have met him on many subsequent occasions. He was a kind man, dedicated to Rotary and community service, and will be sadly missed.

Alan Gold PP Rotary Club of Edgware & Stanmore

I only 'bumped' into Tony on one occasion at a visit to Crystal Palace to speak to a group of clubs. He was RIBI President at the time. He initiated a brief conversation in that moment and I was surprised that, despite his elevated office (and stature), that he was completely 'without side.' I was won over in that moment and never had any qualms about casting my vote for him thereafter.
Graham Thomas RC Balham

When I was elected DG for 1977/78, I invited Tony to be District International Chairman. He told me that he would love to do the job but as he was going to be President of Southgate that year he felt that he would not be able to give the correct amount of time to both posts,so he turned down the District Chair. That was Tony's attitude throughout his Rotary life and his life in general, if he took on a job he did it whole heartedly. I watched his progress in Rotary with interest as I knew that he would become an important figure and achieve international status. He was one of the most sincere persons you would ever meet and will be greatly missed by everyone. My heart goes out to Peggy on her great loss. May he rest in peace. With the deepest of regrets.
Keith Payne PDG RI District 1130

Tony was my District Governor when I was President of The Rotary Club of Ealing. There was never any 'side' to Tony. Probably no better tribute could be paid to him than that he was a true Rotarian. Certainly he was a leader par excellence and his devotion to Rotary without equal. Kind, thorough, determined, conscientious, considerate, knowledgeable, dedicated, enthusiastic, amiable, an exemplary example of what should be expected from any Rotarian, Tony always gave that something extra. Yes, he will be missed but for me, there will always be something of what I learnt from him, in my limited Rotary service.
To Tony, 'Thank you for being!'

Jack Lynes PP RC Ealing