When we were growing up our families spent a lot of time together. There were Sunday car rides with picnics, there were drive-in movie nights with an occasional A&W root beer before the movie, and entire weekends spent with our parents playing cards and board games when the weather prevented outside activities.
I remember one time we were riding in the back of the station wagon on our way, either to or from Silver Lake picnic area, and we were playing a game - "I am thinking of a word that begins with the letter", and Tony had picked the letter "T". We guessed for many minutes - all the "T" words we could think of, even the parents had joined in because we were so frustrated we could not figure out the word. We finally all conceded and Tony proudly announced his word was "Tater". The smile of delight that crossed his face when he had stumped everyone was a delight to see. I think I was 6 or 7 when that happened and I still recall that memory vividly, more than 60 years later.
Tony was my favorite dance partner at parties and wedding receptions. He never tired and was willing to dance to any music. We both loved learning new songs from the radio and comparing notes on what we had heard new - loving the Beatles, the Monkeys and the Archies.
I will miss my friend, but I am so very grateful that I have many, many memories that will keep him dear in my heart for as long as I am able to remember them and share them. Good-by my dear friend - from your favorite "Wake Up Little Susie" dance partner.