OBITUARY
ANTHONY (TONY) FALLON
1953-2026
THE funeral of Tony Fallon from Crook took place in St Cuthbert’s RC church, Crook on Monday March 9th.
Father Nick Jennings officiated and led the cortege into church accompanied by the organ. He made the welcome before the hymn ‘Here I am Lord’ sang by Daniel O’Donnell and accompanied by the congregation. Father Nick then led the Placing of the Symbols on the coffin, explaining each one and followed with the opening prayer. The first reading was from Isiah and read by Lay Minister, John Hall. Psalm 23 was read by another member of the congregation.
Father Nick gave a reading from the Sermon on the Mount and spoke about Tony. Born in 1953, Tony was the second son of Thomas and Jenny Fallon. Jenny was well known in the town of Crook and a proud member of the church. Tony looked after his mother in her latter years.
Born in Crook, he attended St Cuthbert’s Primary School, which included services and events in that very church. He proceeded to the newly opened St John’s RC secondary school in Bishop Auckland, being one of the first intake. He was one of three brothers – Terry and Bernard being the other two. Terry died 17 years ago and Tony still mourned his death as they were very close growing up.
Tony went to work on a farm in Fir Tree but later was employed at Blair’s Foundry in Tow Law. When he was younger, he had a passion for motorbikes and regularly attended races at Oliver’s Mount and the Isle of Man TT. He enjoyed horse racing too, particularly the Grand National. He was a regular at Crook WMC but when it closed down, the Grand Hotel became his ‘home’.
Tony enjoyed the company of his daughter, Catherine, and she remembers him enjoying trips to Blackpool and Donkey rides on the beach. He also enjoyed Irish music which was reflected by the family’s choice of music at the service. He was a family man and close to his grandson, Kai Thomas Jack, as well as his brother, Bernard, his wife, Janet and their family but he was also a fiercely independent man who enjoyed his own company, even at Christmas. He was loyal to his small group of friends and he loved the countryside. Again, this was reflected in the sermon – not set in a building but outside on a mountain. Tony Loved the great outdoors.
The Lord’s Prayer was spoken before the Commendation and the cortege left for the burial in the graveyard to the music ‘At the Rainbow’s End’ again by Daniel O’ Donnell.
Tony will be greatly missed by the people of Crook. Although a quiet and private man, he was well-known in the town.
