I was "the babysitter" for Danny and Tracy in District Heights . Tony and Sheila treated me like family, as I practically lived at their house. Tony taught me to eat crabs for the first time and let me drive their Ford Fairlane to high school a few times. He was like a dad to me. He definitely has a special place in my heart with wonderful, fond memories. And just like others have said, he always had a great smile for everyone. I am proud to have known Tony and been friends with him and his family.
An old neighbor from District Heights... / Cindy Hruska (Shugars) (Old Neighbor )
Tony, Sheila, Danny and Tracy were our neighbors in District Heights back in the 60's and 70's. I used to babysit Danny and Tracy and every time I went to their house, they were so nice to me. I always remember the laughter and Tony always smiling! Even though I "grew up" and moved away, my mom would always tell me about how the Cones' were. Sheila, Danny and Tracy - my prayers are with you and you know Tony is smiling down from heaven on all of us. Close
I have known Tony my whole life...He and my Dad, Charlie Graham, were good friends. I always enjoyed talking with Tony... he was a very interesting, intelligent, and sweet man ~ but more importantly, he always had a smile on hs face! I will miss him.
Friends/ Jimmy Martin (Friend)
Tony was and will always be what the DC Fire Department was about. True devotion to his job and to those would worked for and with him. He never had to demand the respect of anyone, he earned every bit of it he had, and he had plenty. Very few officers come and go on our job that possessed the qualities he did, as well as a natural leadership ability. I stood in awe of him every time I was around him. 1. We always had such a great time on the golf trips. I enjoyed sharing every moment with you and the "gang". Rest in Peace my Brother.....................I'll see you later Jimmy Close
Tony retired before I was hired, but I was lucky to get to know him through the many Department functions. Like the golf tournaments, retirement dinners, Emerald Society events. Tony always had a smile on his face. Always a pleasure to sit and talk to!!
Condolences/ Jay Hencken (co-worker)
Made a profound difference in my life as a fireman, quiet, soft spoken, leader, a real role model. I'm glad to have worked with Tony! We will miss you. Close
Bother Local 36 / Robert H. Clark (Brother (L-36) )
Tony your life as a Fireman started from your HEART! This seemed easy for you because the men from recuit all the way up the ladder always came 1st. MAY REST YOR SOUL ROBERT H. CLARKE Close
Condolences/ Robert (LeRoy) Karr (DCFD Brother )
Oh Tony, this is a sad for for a lot of us. I remember the days we spent together at 1-Enging on K Street and later when the company moved to M Street. I still have the picture of the five of us standing in front of 1-Engine, Captain Perterson, Walter Chakwin, Carroll Rumbaugh, Yourself, and me, LeRoy. I am the one in the center. You will be remembered always in prayers and thoughts as a good friend, and a fellow firefighter. As it has been said, "Thanks for the Memories." Close
Its Truck 6 Captain, not Truck 9 / John Kinney (Truck Driver, Truck 6 )Read >>
Its Truck 6 Captain, not Truck 9 / John Kinney (Truck Driver, Truck 6 )
There were a lot of men that I respected when I worked on the Fire Department but there were few that I respected as much as Tony. A fireman's fireman. A man who did not have to demand respect but earned it through his actions and deeds. A quiet leader!!!
When Tony came to Truck 6 from Truck 9 he did it because he was asked to do it not because he wanted a transfer. He loved the guys at Engine 21, Truck 9. Truck 6 ran alot of calls with Truck 9 and I knew how well respected he was. I had known Tony for years through bowling together but had never worked with him. I was elated to hear he was coming to Truck 6 and always kidded with him about how he was steppin up. When he first came to Truck 6 and we responded to a call he would say "Truck 9" on the scene. I would say, Captain you are at Truck 6 now not Truck 9. He would roll his eyes and say over the microphone I meant "Truck 6 on the scene" This went on for a couple of days and on our way back to the Fire House Tony said well you know Truck 6 and Truck 9 run so many calls together and the same areas it JUST ISN"T THAT EASY to say Truck 6 on the scene after being at Truck 9 all those years. Guys from Truck 9 were calling him and kidding with him about "Truck 9 on the Scene. All of us were giving him grief about "Truck 9" on the scene. He told me, John from now on when we arrive on the scene you just grab the mike and say we are on the scene. The 1st response we had as we arrived on the scene he threw me the mike and as he was getting out of the cab of the Truck I called in - Truck 9 on the scene, no I mean Truck 6. If looks could have killed I would have been dead right on the spot.
The years we worked together at Truck 6 were some of the best in my career and the most memorable.
The night of the Lamont Street Fire were 10 people died was one of the saddest.
Seeing Tony at the retired firefigters functions always put a smile on my face because it took me back to a career that I truly loved and a man who made my career so much better for knowing him.
Tony/ Gene &. Lynn Haden (Friends)
Sheila, Tracy and Danny, We are very saddened to hear of Tony's passing. He was a wonderful man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Love, Gene and Lynn Gene & Lynn Hayden (Huntingtown, MD) Close
For the fireman / John Drury (admirer)
When I first came to Washington in the Sixties, the Flanagan home on 28th Street was like a visit to John Belushi’s “Animal House.” There was my cousin, Rug, a young juvenile delinquent named “Dennis,” Frip and Peggy, the ringmasters of this three ring circus, and the Hens as I called them, who returned the nickname by calling me “Straightman.” My oldest cousin, Sheila, was not always there but when she swept in on the occasional visit, she was my Ann Margaret in all her beauty. And then it all happened, a man came into her life; different from all the rest; cool against her hotness, quiet all but still against the pandemonium of the Flanagans; all smiles, a firm handshake, a soft deep voice, a wave to his hair, a Budweiser bottle in contrast to his bombastic father in law’s Black Russian. He was a fireman and I, a spoiled student, always held him in great respect. One could never see him any other way. He was always that way; quiet, sincere, and a firm handshake. Close
My sincerest and deepest condolances to Tony's family.It was a pleasure to have Tony as a company officer at old Engine 6. He was a fun person and a superb officer in the firehouse and on the fireground. He always had your back and always cared about his men. I'm sure he is in heaven sharing all his fire stories with everyone. God bless you Tony and thanks for being a part of my life. You will be missed but never forgotten.
Friend and life learning student of Tony's / Mike Mattingly (Friend)
Tony,
As you go thru your life's journey, you meet people ,who literally, shape your inner being. You were one of those people in my life.
When I was a young buck appointed in 1971 to T-9 you were there to start the process. Not only did you teach us how to stay safe and use calm,level headed judgements on the fire ground, you taught me one of the most important things I try to use on a regular basis.
You taught me to treat people in life the way you would want to be treated. Tony, thanks for being a teacher, a mentor, a person who started and shaped many others. We sure did have a lot of laughs and good times. Most importantly, thanks for being in my life and thanks for being my friend.
I have only known Tony for a few years. I really enjoyed his old stories of the Fire Department. It seems hard sometimes to bridge the generation gap but he did it with ease, which is a rarity.
Thanks Tony for taking the time to talk to a young guy about how it was in your days.
Tributes and Condolences
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