Tribute has been paid to a generous dad and grandad ‘who would help anyone.’
Tony Watts died following a suspected fall from the clifftop above the former Pleasurama site in Ramsgate on August 27.
Emergency crews attended but he was sadly declared dead at the scene.
The 72-year-old was a Thanet resident for 18 years, first living in Broadstairs and then moving to Ramsgate.
He was often seen on his delivery round for Tonys newsagents which he only gave up recently.
He was born in Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire in October 1945 and lived there until he moved to Kent. He was a TV and video engineer with his own business covering the local area and a small shop.
He was married for 24 years and has two daughters, Katie and Joanna, and two granddaughters.
His marriage ended and Tony met a lady called Lyn and moved to Broadstairs to be with her. Sadly she died three years later and, although he decided to stay in Thanet, he moved to Ramsgate.
Katie said: “He was very generous and would help anyone, freely giving his time. Everyone in our home town knew him.
“He used to get post via Royal Mail marked simply Tony the Telly Man, Higham Ferrers, and it would get to him. He used to train lads via the old YTS Scheme and also teach them to drive, using his own car. He also taught my sister and I.
“He always enjoyed fiddling with electronics and repairing things – he’d mend the ovens at the local Bakery in Higham and come back with a tray of cream cakes in thanks, having refused payment.
“He had a really sweet tooth, especially for doughnuts, but never gained weight.
“In his later years he’d turned his hand to PC repairs. He always loved animals too – he had a number of dogs over the years including most recently Molly who died just a couple of months ago, but also cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, all sorts.”
Tony was also known by his neighbours as a generous man always willing to help out.
Neighbour Nathan Coade said: “Tony was such a nice guy. He would do anything for anyone and never ask for anything in return. When i worked in Dover he used to drop me at station every morning and never asked for a penny.
“We shall all miss him in the block. It’s not the same anymore.”
Police say Tony’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the coroner.
