Friend and Paint Partner  / Andrew Wade (Freind)
Tony, I could tell thousands of stories of Fire Dept,Fishing, Golf and of course Painting. We went through a lot together.I miss you and all your family and friends do also. Rest in Peace. Andy Close

1TRUE FRIEND -  / Jean &. Charlie Graham (Friend-Family)
Tony was part of our family for as long as we’ve been together – fifty years! Our kids grew up thinking he was part of our “family tree.” They respected him and always looked forward to being around him. Aside from working with Tony on occasion, Charlie also bowled with him, played softball with him, painted with him, and golfed with him. Tony allowed Charlie to be his “roommate” on many golf trips. He was a true friend and like a brother. After Tony & Sheila married, we all spent many hours together, at parties, dances, picnics, reunions, weddings, and family functions, always having fun and making memories. True friends are difficult to find, hard to leave, and impossible to forget. Tony was a true friend. Close

Firefighter, Friend, and Leader  / B. B. Handley (Friend / Brother DCFD )

I had the honor and privilege of not only working with Captain Cones at Truck 9, but having Tony as a near and dear friend. Whether on the fire ground, in a pinochle game, or on a golf trip, Tony was always a pleasure to be around. His dedication to the job, bravery, honesty, and good common sense put Tony on a pedestal only many can dream of and wish for. Although many miles separated us, I was never far from the memories I had of being with Tony. Just hearing the name “Captain Cones” assured all of a quality time at work or play! We will always miss you Captain Cones....

PS…..Tony, thanks for always detailing the Engine guys !!

May you rest in peace and may God welcome you to “The Big House” eternally.

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The friendly fireman  / Scott Creelman
As a young first generation fireman, I had the honor of meeting Tony. Never having worked with him,I knew of him through the stories past down through the fire department. Many of my officers had worked with him and believe they instilled what they had learned from Tony. I did get to play golf with him though, which was truely a pleasure in itself. Very humbling to say the least. A true ledgend and an honor to follow in the footsteps he has created. Rest in peace and my condolences to the family. Close

Remembering Tony  / Ebie Cooper (Friend DCFD Ret )

I had the good fortune to work with Tony at E-18 & T-7.  We caught a lot of fires together during that time.  What I learned from him helped me throughout my career.  What you saw in Tony was what you got - A Good Man!

It was an honor to work with him and a blessing to know him. 

Jane and I want to send our heartfelt sympathy to Sheila, Gerry and and the rest of your family.  May he Rest in Peace.  Ebie

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Remembering Tony  / Elane And Dale Bottrell (Friend)
Dear Sheila and Family,

We are so happy we had the good fortune of knowing Tony, and we will forever remember our time with him.  He was a such a kind, friendly soul.  You are in our thoughts, and we send our deepest sympathy and condolences.

Elane and Dale Bottrell
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Southwest Washington Alumni Association  / Southwest Alumni (Friends)

The members of the Southwest Washington Alumni Association have many fond remembrances of Tony; he touched the lives of so many of our members. Most of us remember him from St. Dominic's Church and School. Tony went to both St. Dominic's Grade School and High School. He was an altar boy at St .Dominic's Church and being a bit taller than most of us he often carried the Cross and lead the procession into Church. And everyone in Southwest and near by areas went to the St. Dominic's annual carnival. All of the Cones' were there every night. We were all sure that the Ferris wheel got bigger each year, but it was the same wheel year after year. Tony was a very good athlete. He played basket ball for St. Dominic's and football for the Southwest Merchants. Tony was a D. C. Fireman for 23 years and retired has a Captain. Again he was joined in the fire department by many friends from Southwest. A retired fireman said that Tony was always "first in and last out" of the fire and that he inspired confidence in the younger men. He served in Naval Reserve Squadrons VF-666 and VS-663 at Anacostia Naval Air Station and the Naval Air Facility at Andrews Air Force Base. After we launched the aircraft we would all gather at the coffee bar and it seemed like great fun just talking with Tony. Most of us had a lot in common, many were from Southwest and we knew others from playing sports against other boys clubs and other Washington schools. Our Squadron lost a plane and all onboard. I don't remember ever seeing anyone sadder than Tony. One of the crewman was also, a friend from the Fire Department.

Tony was well known and liked by all. He was a very good friend and will be greatly missed. We will not forget our friend and remember Sheila and the family in our prayers.

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My friend Tony  / Rick Moore

Although I didn't have an opportunity to work for you on the Department ( I only had 2 years on when you retired), many stories were told of your heroic deeds and us young guys regarded you as a legend. We did, however, have an opportunity to get together at many functions off the job (Emerald Society events, retirement dinners to name a few)  where we could " sip a few" and just talk. You were always kind enough to ask about my father, who worked with you, and I appreciated that. Thanks for being my friend.

Debbie & I also want to extend our deepest sympathy to Shiela, Jerry ands the rest of the family...Rick

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Farewell, old friend  / Gene Seabolt (Friend/DCFD)

Knowing Tony for over forty years certainly made one feel that you were a member of a special "family".  Whether on the fireground, the golf course, a retirement dinner, or sidled up to the bar rail, Tony gave the attitude that he was in the presence of someone special when, actually, it was the other way around.  As a young rookie, I heard a veteran firefighter comment that Sgt. Cones didn't have lungs, rather he had two yellow cannisters in his chest with Scott printed on them.  Tony possessed the courage and gallantry of a warrior on the fire scene, yet when the fire was extinguished, he represented a kind, gentle, fun-loving man that was endeared by all.  Mere words cannot adequately express what a tremendous human being Tony was, but if you knew him, even momentarily, it was clearly evident.  Heaven exists because of the likes of Tony Cones and we will all experience an emptiness in our lives - because of the likes of Tony Cones.  God bless you, Tony, and rest in your eternal peace.

 

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Memories of Tony  / Donald Deuvall (Friend, fellow fireman )

Tony and I met years ago before I came on the DCFD at a "Library of Cultural Learning" on Ole Branch Ave.  We met there for many years until we both moved away.

Over the years we hunted, fished, boated and partyed together, also taste tested various beverages after Shlitz Brewing Co. went out of business.

Tony had a distinct voice, I could pick his voice out of 1000 on a FD radio, on the fireground or a VHF boat radio, while boating or when he was calling me by one of his various descriptive names to get my attention.

Thank you Tony, for all the years and the memories.

Your Pal

Bubee

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A First Class Father, Husband and Father  / Michael Tierney (cousin-in-law)
   It had been a few years since I last saw Tony, but playing golf with his son Danny at the McNamara Brothers weekend in Bethany last Fall, and talking about his many wonderful traits, brought back a flood of memories.  I can clearly recall Tony's warm personality, his sense of humor, his graciousness with dozens of new cousins on Sheila's side of the family, and his deep love of family.  He was a first-class man.

    Sheila, Danny and Tracy:  All of us Tierney's send you our deepest condolences. Close

"just by being himself"  / Donnie Mayhew (Brother-DCFD)
Dear Sheila, Tracy, Danny, Seamus and all the Family,
I just read of Tony's death and there is a hole in my heart. We can only imagine the pain you feel.He loved you all so much! Before our last fishing trip, Tony met Ed Miffleton and me at some bar so that we could ride to Charlie's boat together. It wasn't long after "Good Morning!" that he hit us with pictures of Seamus. Of course, he was delighted to drink the beer we bought him in celebration!
Our whole family will miss him. Our children knew Tony from the picnics we had at our cabin in PA. They loved the boat races in the summer and sliding down the icy hill with him in the winter. Tony and Tracy won the trophy for the boat races one year. We all loved the way he charmed us with that smile and was truly interested in what was on our minds and in our lives.
"Needless to say," as he said so often, I always wanted to be like him. I never made it, but it was a privilege to be around him and see how he earned the respect of everyone just by being himself. He was a true friend. When we moved from DC to the cabin, Tony was in the truck packing the stuff as we handed it to him. He was sweating and not happy with the Schlitz that I had provided (on sale). After a very short while, he ordered me over to Magruder's, "Get me some Budweiser!" He was brave and wise on the fireground and fun around the firehouse. I loved him and I'll miss him. Donnie Close

Memories / Linda Shugars Pell (Friend)

Many, many years have passed since I had seen Tony, but as a true family friend, neighbor, and advisor, he will be forever tucked in my fondness memories.  To Sheila, Danny, and Tracy - Your memories of him will fill your lives with love and joy for he was a very special man.  With warmest thoughts and prayers, Linda.     

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A firefighter's firefighter!  / Pat Walsh (DCFD)
Never saw Tony without a smile!  May he rest in peace! Close

He will be missed by many.  / Keith Ketchem (Friend DCFD )

I had the privilege to be detailed to old Engine 6 when Tony was there. Instantly he became the Fireman I wanted to be. I never quite got up to his level. He was a pleasure to be around on and off the job.

I for one will miss him.

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Truck 6 Captain - PARK ROAD  / Steven Schellenberg (Friend)

My condolencess to the Cones family.  I was a young backstep firefighter at E-11 on old Park Rd. when Captain Cones transfered in.  I was in awe of him and his reputation.  We felt totally confident when he was on the call with us.  One of the toughest men I ever saw, "old school" tough.  I can recall crawling down a completely dark hot smokey hallway frantically looking for the fire and breathing excitedly through my facepiece - then hearing this very deep, clear, calm voice behind me saying (without his mask on) "keep going shelly, we're not there yet!!"  I was lucky to have worked with him.  Rest in peace, Captain Cones - ONE OF THE GREAT ONES.

 

 

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Mentor/Friend/Brothe-r FireMAN  / John Harney (Friend)

Tony was the Lt at E6#3 when I was appointed to #2 at the old house on Massachusetts Avenue.  I was (and remain to this day) in awe of Tony.  He was one of the toughest men on the job.  As others have said, he earned every ounce of the huge amount of respect that everyone had for him.

I was privileged to know Tony and Sheila off the job as well.  As terrific a fireman as he was, he was equally terrible as a skier.  You had to look closely on a ski trip if you wanted to see Tony actually wearing skis.  I think he really didn't want to admit that Sheila was a better skier than he was.

I used to love to listen to Tony and Ben Abell tell stories about growing up in DC.  If even a small fraction of their stories were true, I am amazed that either of them survived until adulthood.  I imagine that Tony and Ben, both unconstrained by the oxygen tanks with which they were saddled in their later years, are telling and retelling those old stories with many of the great men who passed through the DCFD.

Tony, my friend, I look forward to listening to those stories again.  I may even have one or two to tell you by then.  May God bless you. 

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Memories: / Phil Wigglesworth (Friend/L-36)
So many but know "Choones" has a fishing rod in one hand and a golf club in the other on that grand Country Club in the hereafter. Our golf trips will not be the same, especially since Tony was one of the few I was able to collect from (every once in while)!!!! Sheila, you & family are in our prayers. Close

T. Cones  / J.B. Powell (DCFD)
I first met T. Cones when I was detailed to E4 for a temporary assignment and I was relatively new on the DCFD being appointed in Aug 1967.

I was immediately impressed by his knowledge, confidence, and the ability to make things happen when an incident became more challenging than normal. He was very well thought of and when he was promoted we missed him much.

He had a pleasant personality and a real team player. He was the type of guy that would influence others in a positive way making a significant difference regardless of the task.

My sincerest condolences to the entire family for a unique individual that I will always remember as a personal friend, and more importantly as an accomplished professional in more ways than one. Close

Tony's Passing  / Dave Ryan (Retired DC FDC )
I am so sorry to hear of Tony's passing and I will remember him in my prayers. I first met him when he was a Sergeant at Truck 7 and I was just finishing my probation. He was the most fearless firefighter I ever worked with and I crawled down many hallways with my knees burning and him leading the way. On more than one occasion, if it were not for him I would have bailed out but he was a master at knowing just how far we could go without unnecessary risk. He knew his limits and taught others how to recognize theirs. He was very calculated in his judgment and there was none better at interior firefighting. I can think of several lives that he was the prime mover in saving from certain death. He was a legend in his own time and he inspired many firefighters to excel beyond what they ever would have done without his leadership. May he rest in peace and may God hold him in the palm of His hand. Close