Charles "Tony" Anthony

Charles “Tony” H. Anthony, 93 of Peterborough, NH passed away peacefully on May 29, 2023, at Monadnock Community Hospital with family by his side.  He was born in Boston, MA on February 20, 1930, the son of Warren and Katherine (Hitchcock) Anthony.

Tony lived life to the fullest, enthusiastically seeking the next adventure or opportunity to learn and grow.

Tony graduated from Natick High School in 1947 and then attended Yale University where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1951.  After graduation he was accepted into the US Coast Guard Officer Candidate School and then served as “Skipper” at the LORAN radar station on Ulithi Atoll in the Caroline Islands (Micronesia). It was here that his passion for photography blossomed.

After his time in the Coast Guard, Tony headed back to New England to pursue two of his great loves – skiing and photography.  He lived in Stowe, Vermont and taught skiing while also moonlighting as a photographer.  After this adventure had run its course, he headed back to the Boston area and began his career in the Insurance industry, where he ultimately landed in NYC at Johnson & Higgins insurance brokerage.

It was during this period that he met his amazing wife of 63 years, Abigail Palmer Anthony.  They were married on July 1, 1960, at St Andrew's Episcopal Church in Marblehead, MA.  After living in Manhattan, they built a house in Weston, CT where they had two sons (Wilson & Scott).  In 1968 Tony was asked to head up the Milan, Italy office of Johnson & Higgins.  Gail and Tony jumped at this incredible opportunity and shipped off to Milan where they lived for 5 years.

During this time the family explored Italy and much of Europe, while spending summer weekends on Lake Como hiking and playing golf, and in the winter, Tony taught Gail and the boys to ski at Verbier in the Swiss Alps. As the boys grew older, they made the tough decision to return to the US and ended up back in West Simsbury, CT as Tony accepted a senior executive role at a competing firm.

As the corporate world and suburban life lost its luster, Tony made the bold decision to leave his insurance career for an entrepreneurial challenge in Peterborough, where he purchased Peirce of Peterborough, the local plumbing/heating/appliance store. With Gail by his side, he rebranded the business into Sand Hill which became one of the largest wood stove dealers in the US due in large part by becoming one of the first/only retailers of Vermont Castings stoves. As the business grew, they opened other locations and created a wholesale distribution arm for accessories which relocated to Columbus, OH, where it still resides today.

In 1986, Tony sold Sand Hill and started a new career as an Executive Search Consultant where he utilized his connections from his years in the insurance industry effectively, ultimately establishing Anthony Executive Search.  During this time Gail and Tony built their “dream home” in Dublin, NH – a beautiful post & beam house with a stunning view of Mt. Monadnock.  As Tony eased into retirement, he spent much of his spare time on landscape design, gardening and enjoying a good book with his faithful adopted Labrador Retrievers (Fred, Bea, Ruby, and Duffy) by his side. He and Gail also spent lots of time on the golf course at the Dublin Lake Club, where Tony had a long stint as Golf Chairman.

In 2011 they decided to move to the RiverMead community, joining many long-time friends and acquaintances.

During their time in Peterborough and Dublin the Anthonys were active members of All Saints Church, the Dublin Lake Club, the Rotary Club, in addition to serving on many boards and consultancies.

Tony is predeceased by his son Wilson (6/3/2020) and survived by his wife Gail, son Scott and his wife Ivy and their 3 children, Elle, Mae and Reed; Daughter-in-law Alice Anthony, Daughter-in-law Deb Hodgson-Lyons; grandchildren Cate and Samantha Anthony, and Charlie and Margaret Chesser.

A private service and interment will be held at All Saints Church in Peterborough.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Tony’s name to: NELR (NewEnglandLabRescue.com)