George Anthony “Tony” Mountford
MOUNTFORD, CORSON, CAMPBELL, ARYEETEY, GARDNER, SANCHEZ, CHEETHAM, MARSH
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/29/2024 at 10:07:11
Our family is heartbroken to share the loss of our beloved George Anthony “Tony” Mountford, age 84, who died on January 15th, 2024.
Whether it be through a passing interaction or a close relationship, Tony had a way of making a lasting impression on those he met. His generous spirit and strong connections made throughout his life will be remembered and held onto fondly by those closest to him. A longtime resident of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Tony was born in Stone, North Staffordshire, England to proud parents, Gordon and Rosamund in 1939, just after the Second World War broke out. Tony’s younger sister, Suzie, was born eight years later. Tony was thirteen years old when he lost his father.
As a child, Tony had great imagination, ambition, and natural academic ability. He was awarded a State Scholarship in 1958, taking up a place at Sheffield University where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in chemistry. It was here that Tony first glimpsed his future wife, Eve, across a crowded dance floor. By 1961, they were married, and together, they traveled to Santiago, Chile, for three years to complete research for his doctorate in physical chemistry, focusing on the Eutectics of Sulphuric Acid.
After receiving his doctorate in 1964 from Sheffield University, Tony was hired by Allied Chemical in New York – the start of his American experience. He and Eve moved to Morristown, New Jersey, where they began their family. Their first child, Peter Gordon Mountford, was born in 1968. Their second child, Elizabeth Barbara Mountford, was born in 1970.
Tony had a deep love for travel and meeting new people, and his jobs took him all over the world. For much of his career, Tony worked in marketing and sales of bulk chemicals with Pfizer. This job took him and his family from Canada to Hong Kong and finally to New York.
Tony loved living at the top of a hill in Bedford, commuting to New York City to Pfizer, at first, and later, to the New York Futures Exchange and to Henkel in New Jersey. He threw himself into his work and always enjoyed his colleagues. Tony also loved to drive his teenage children to their many activities around town, whether it was piano lessons for his son or shuttling his daughter from orchestra rehearsals to track meets. He loved to be a part of his family’s lives and would do whatever he could to make them happy.
Tony was incredibly extroverted, and his relationships with others remained at the heart of his world throughout his life. He had a warm smile and a welcoming presence. After sharing a meal or going on an outing with Tony, you could always count on an appreciative phone call after the time shared. He also had an incredible talent for capturing these special moments on film. The best of each of us came shining through in these portraits of love.
Tony was active in the various communities he resided in throughout his life. Once moving to Pennsylvania, he enjoyed supporting and visiting places such as the Tyler Arboretum and Longwood Gardens and involved himself in local organizations such as the Swarthmore Discussion Group.
Throughout his life, Tony worked passionately for local political parties, from revitalizing the Labor party in West Sussex, England, to engaging with the Swarthmore Democrats, where he frequently campaigned and doggedly collected signatures, always with a smile and a kind word. He had an open mind and thoughtful nature and enjoyed engaging in political debates, both with those who shared his opinions and those who felt differently.
His family’s frequent summer trips to Bar Harbor, Maine, were a constant source of enjoyment throughout his life. This was a time when the family could all be together, sharing lobster meals, hiking Acadia Park trails, and enjoying a stroll around Jordan Pond, completing the day with tea and a popover.
For the last part of Tony’s life, his world continued to revolve around his family, particularly his granddaughter, Maggie Corson. You could find him cheering Maggie on at Saturday morning soccer games, celebrating Strath Haven Orchestra concerts with Maggie and her friends at Mango’s in Media, and buying almost all the ducks at the Swarthmore Fun Fair. He couldn’t help himself. This generosity of Tony’s was showered not just on his family, but on anyone who was part of his life.
He is survived by his wife, Eve Mountford; son and daughter, Peter Mountford and Liz Corson; granddaughter, Maggie Corson; son-in-law, Carey Corson; sister, Suzie Campbell; nieces, Rosie Campbell (married to Bernie Aryeetey) and Isla Gardner (married to Alan Gardner); nephew, Alexander Campbell (engaged to Gemma Miranda Sánchez); sisters-in-law, Barbara Cheetham and Debbie Marsh; nieces, Katie Marsh and Izzy Marsh; great-nieces and nephews, Iris and Violet Aryeetey, Rowan and Alwyn Gardner, and Leo Campbell.
A celebration of Tony’s life will be held this summer with family and friends in North Staffordshire, England, where Tony’s life began.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen