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| Sunday, 18 September 2005 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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Remembering
our colleague Anton
by Elmo Leonard Past Benedictine and former Sunday Observer journalist Anton Nonis (58) passed away ending a life of calm and quiet and saddening his colleagues and all who knew him. Anton's first love was his home, sweet home. Since 1984 through the years, Anton often left the Editorial before 10 a.m., "only to be at home," his wife said. But his colleagues often misunderstood him for his early exit from the Editorial. They often accused him of running away to do another job. Even when Anton was nominated by his newspaper to go abroad, he declined; his homing spirit being part of his metabolism. "I have never been abroad," he once said. Anton was the most caring father, his son, Randika (St Peter's College) and daughter Shavini (Holy Family Convent, Dehiwala) could think of. "And the warmest husband," his wife Pearl said. Having amply provided for his family, Anton retired in April this year and spent the last six months of his life, at home with his family, the way he liked it most. In the past six months, Anton had spent his time furthering his knowledge of music, the Spanish classical guitar, the organ, piano and besides helping his children in their studies. In his final days, he had recoursed wholeheartedly in the spiritual, his family said. Anton joined Lake House in 1982. The Audit Department, where he worked before he turned to journalism, recalled that Anton had sung Spanish songs while on an office trip. But, we did not know that side of Anton or Anta, as his colleagues called him; modesty being his forte. Nor, did we know that he sang the songs of CT Fernando, Clarence Wijewardena the Los Flamingos and La Bambas, because he spent all his time outside work only with those very close to him. As an auditor Anton did not want to see anyone in trouble, we were told. In the mid-80's, the Daily and Sunday Observer readership suddenly caught the by line Anton Nonis. The matter was always feverish, or when the news had already been broken, the revelation was the unknown measure. The subjects varied from crime, defence, transport, strikes, tourism, shipping, aviation and the weather. Anton's childhood was spent in a neighbourhood in Mutwal and later in the shadow of the Kotahena Cathedral and Catholicism pervaded him. At St. Benedict's, Anton was always an excellent student, former classmate, Ranjith Abeyasakera said. He missed entry to Medical College by two marks because his mind was diverted to less important things. Thus, Anton could not emulate his brothers, Quintin, an MRCP who practised in London and Dr. Hilton, in Kalutara. Then, there was Herbert, a Botany honours graduate and Hillary, a well-known lecturer in Zoology. Anton also had three sisters, who are housewives. All, except one in the family lives over the age the fifties; heart attack taking its toll. Anton was a non-smoker and was never seen taking liquor. The Bens cricket teams were champions in the mid-60's and Anton represented the strong Bens `A' team as a middle order batsman and a one-change-bowler, with a vicious yorker. Anton often spoke of his contemporaries, Elmo Wickremasinghe, Frank Thalaratne and Paris Perera. As a young man, Anton haunted the YMCA in Dehiwala and in time, diverted to amateur boxing, with a dash and punch, falling short of Hit Man Herns'. Two years ago, Anton suffered what he called a mild heart ailment. Early this month, he was admitted to hospital with a condition called ischemic heart and died in his sleep. What perhaps some of his colleagues will miss most is his simple
explanations of medicine and science, which he was always ready to impart on
us. In life, Anton gave us wisdom, in death he leaves his colleagues in the
Sunday Observer, an incarnate memory. |
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