Remembering Bob Tonkiss

Bob's memorial service at Holy Trinity will take place on Saturday 14th November at 11am. Here are a range of memories and appreciations of Bob.

"Bob had a fine singing voice and had always sung in church choirs. He became Cantor at Holy Trinity Nice and served as Secretary to the Church Council for a number of years."

"It was a joy to have known Bob over the years. Bob's wit and dedication to Holy Trinity was impressive, touching the next generation of our family who visited Holy Trinity a few times and wanted to pack Bob up to take him home with them because they thought he was so charming in his madras shirt and city shorts! Bob will be greatly missed."

"Bob was the epitome of a contradiction in terms. With his gaudy 'sneakers' he attracted more than a fair share of attention and certainly could not 'sneak' by or 'sneak' away.... a quick floor-level glance highlighted his presence!”

"Bob joined us at our home where we welcomed in all of our new friends for an American Thanksgiving back in 2022. He made a delicious sweet potato casserole with pecans and marshmallows to share and everyone loved it."

"We recall many happy and entertaining shared times through our memorable friendship with Bob."

"Bob was outstandingly knowledgeable and professional in everything he undertook as Secretary to the Church Council, always listening carefully and delivering excellent written reports. Occasionally he was markedly forthright and principled in the manner in which he conducted his duties! It was a pleasure to know and work with Bob. He made a unique and enormous contribution to the life and work of Holy Trinity."

"I always enjoyed Bob's dry humor and his not being shy about sharing his opinions.  I am quite sure that no one ever needed to say to Bob 'No, Bob. Tell us what you really think about .....!' ”

"Bob was a man of many talents but few knew of his baking skills. We were once treated to his excellent Dundee cake: the best fruit cake outside of Dundee I would say!! He made several on the occasion of our Scottish Tea Dance which went down a treat."

"Happy memories of Bob particularly his sense of humour. So enjoyed him sharing the 'Hamish and Dougal' sketches and him taking off the characters. We so miss him"

"We have fond memories of Bob and the work he did in a quiet way for Holy Trinity. In particular, I remember the célébration of the Church's Bicentenary when we sang the 'Bicentary March' which Bob had composed - words and music."

For our Bicentenary celebrations Bob hosted an afternoon of Scottish country dancing with a high tea afterward. As I recall the oldest participant was ninety and the youngest was seven.  It was really gratifying how we all came together and could do the dances. It was amazing fun; Bob was always drôle and amusing with me but I really saw his true nature that afternoon . We do miss his quiet wit, his lovely resonant voice and his many other talents. Farewell for now Bob. I hope there is dancing where you are now.“

"Our hugely enjoyable Scottish Tea Party to celebrate our Bicentenary was Bob's idea. Not only did he bake numerous Dundee cakes, but he organised the music and intergenerational Highland Dancing. Particularly memorable for me was the Bicentenary March with lyrics especially written by Bob and this is a video I took of it."

"When I first met Bob I found we had much in common: at Birmingham University where he studied Classics, he had by chance met my husband. Bob wrote a blog regularly to his friends recounting his life in Nice. He was a very nice friend and I and my family and his other many friends will miss him greatly."

"I first got to know Bob through a small weekly luncheon group soon after he settled in Nice. It was only after a couple of years that I discovered we had both worked for the same diocese - Bob in administration and me in education - so we knew many colleagues".

"My late husband and I worked with Bob in 2022 when the 'Brass Band Méditerranée'  held a concert at Holy Trinity to celebrate the church's bicentenary. We greatly appreciated Bob's organisational and liaison skills and subsequently Bob was the point of contact for further concerts. The Président, Conductor and Players have expressed their deepest condolences to the Holy Trinity community".

"Bob is fondly remembered by many of us in and around his former home town of Brighton. He was an entertaining companion, a keen bridge player, a talented singer, and a devoted member of his parish church here. More recently, since he left us for sunnier climes, we were always glad to receive his informative and beautifully illustrated blogs."

"Although perhaps a touch curmudgeonly at times, Bob was also impish and playful and I saw this side while watching him engage with my dog! Bob was a generous host who took great trouble to produce a beautiful meal and he was a snappy dresser too."

"Bob joined us for New Year's Eve in 2020 and despite his lack of previous experience, within minutes he had perfected the skill of oyster shucking and we all great a time! Bob had many hidden skills and interests that he could surprise you with, such as his comprehensive collection 1930’s British dance band recordings (all on old 78rpm shellac discs). I am going to miss you Bob: may you rest in peace."

"The highlight of being with Bob was learning to play bridge. I can’t imagine facing a group of mostly complete novices and really teaching us a complex game; he did such a great job." 

"I will be forever grateful to Bob Tonkiss for his Bridge teaching. Bob, we are still referring to your notes, still running the club in your memory  - may you rest in peace and hope they have a good Bridge club in heaven. Thank you." 

"During the time when we did not have a priest, Bob organised and printed the weekly pew sheets, acted as our Council Secretary, Electoral Roll Officer and Cantor and took on the arduous task of administrating the bookings and reservations for our church and hall. Although he grumbled

about certain 'artists' and their funny little ways, being highly musically knowledgeable himself, I think he enjoyed this part of the work which involved contact with musicians and singers. I shall be ever-grateful for his guidance and hard work, especially over that eighteen month period. Dear Bob, we miss you so much."

“On the concert scene he also challenged artists on what they really were going to perform; however, he (mostly) accepted the indecisions and changes that some artists inflicted upon him and did so with good grace towards them and eye-rolling towards us! That was Bob! He is being sorely missed and appreciated for who he was."

"It is with profound sadness that we learned of the passing of our dear Bob. He was a wonderful person who supported the artistic community in Nice with immense kindness. We send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire Holy Trinity community."

"We sang in the Oecumenia choir together, sharing a love of Latin and choral music. I will very much miss our wide ranging chats and most of all his 'wicked' sense of humour. I feel blessed to have known Bob who has been wonderfully kind to me, especially in the last three years".

"I have very fond memories of Bob and miss his presence at Holy Trinity. I deeply appreciated his wit and wisdom, his observations on life, his oratory, his love of music, and most of all, his friendship.  May he rest in peace."

Bob was one of my best friends in Nice. Having only been in Nice for three years, Bob became a church friend, a 'Sunday after church lunch' friend, a 'gather at the beach' friend, and a 'home dinner' friend. I visited Bob several times in the hospital and the recovery center after his fall, fully expecting to visit with him many more times upon my next return to Nice. Sadly, Bob was called to his heavenly home. This is from my last visit with Bob at the hospital."  

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