April 12, 1959-May 9, 2008
Anthony Thomas (Tony) Eldridge, 49, left this world on May 9, 2008, after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
A man of many talents, Tony is remembered for his vitality and wit, inimitable storytelling and generous nature. His wide-ranging interests included cooking, orchids, gardening, geology and pre-Columbian archaeology.
Tony grew up in Fayetteville, NC, and earned a music degree from Campbell University in 1981. In 1994, he moved to California. He worked for Interim Technical Services in Santa Clara and at Great Western Technical Services in Walnut Creek. During his final ten years Tony worked at Delta Dental in San Francisco, becoming the payroll systems administrator.
Tony is survived by his life partner of 20 years, Richard Whitley, mother Delois Eldridge of Fayetteville, NC, sisters Sharon Crane of Winchester, VA, and Sandra Mears of Durham, NC, brother Douglas of Colorado Springs, CO, five nephews and four nieces.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 21, at 3:00 pm at the Circle of Friends in the National AIDS Memorial Grove, Golden Gate Park.
Donations may be made to the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (http://cancer.ucsf.edu/audience/supportersfriends.php) and the Cancer Research Institute (www.cancerresearch.org).