February 5, 1920 – September 3, 2024
When people used to walk up the stairs into the Vancouver Academy of Music, it wasn’t a studio or concert hall they first saw. Instead, it was a quaint candy shop full of treats. Behind the counter, students, staff, and faculty would find a classic English gentleman dressed dapperly in his hat, tie, and trench coat, with a huge smile on his face. That gentleman was Anthony Previté, or as everyone called him, Tony.
A cheerful, courteous, and kind-hearted man, Tony served all sorts of baked goods to eager students and staff for over 32 years. He became an integral member of the VAM community, beloved by generations all the way up to and beyond his retirement at the impressive age of 99.
Before his life at VAM, Tony’s story began all the way over in the south of England in the charming county of Surrey. His love for the creative arts was nurtured at a young age, where he grew up with a passion for books, the theatre, and music. His love of the theatre landed him a spot in the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London, and he studied there for two years before enlisting with the Royal Corps of Signals at the young age of 21.
After serving in World War Two, Tony returned to England and the dramatic arts. Soon after, he switched career paths and ventured into the world of photography, where he realized he had a good eye for taking pictures. He was hired by a company called Poly Photo and continued working as a professional photographer until he made the move to British Columbia in 1986 to be closer to his two daughters and his grandchildren. It was then that Tony made his way into VAM’s halls, and hearts.
VAM’s store was run by volunteers at the time, and they began hiring for a permanent position. Former volunteer and treasurer at the shop Pam Cooper shared that Tony was the only one possible for the role, but that they were worried he would be “bored out of his mind.” Luckily, Tony adored working in the shop, and the VAM community adored him.
“Tony just loved it. I mean for him, he didn’t know anybody in Vancouver. His daughter had moved to Calgary. It gave him contact with people, and he was very good with the little kids,” Pam said.
Tony was so good with the kids coming to VAM that they even started calling the academy ‘Tony’s place.’
“There was a little girl with her mother outside the academy, and she pointed to the sign where it says Vancouver Academy. She said, ‘Mommy, you know what that says? That says Tony’s place,’” Pam shared.
But it wasn’t just the kids at VAM who adored Tony (and his treats). VAM’s Director of Enrolment, Nicole Hurst, shared that parents would use the promise of a visit to Tony’s candy shop to persuade their children to practice.
“He had a huge impact. Kids would look forward to going to their lessons because they got to go visit Tony and get some candy, obviously. But the parents would use him as a way to get their kids to practice, ‘If you don’t practice this week, we’re not going to go see Tony,’” said Nicole.
Tony operated the candy store everyday with a beaming smile and became a beloved member of VAM. Alongside handing out goodies from his shop, he used his talents in photography to capture enchanting moments from performances and heartwarming interactions between the community. Everyone cherished Tony, and he equally cherished VAM. His daughter, Anna Mouat, shared that the academy became his social life, from throwing him parties when he hit milestone birthdays to driving him home when they saw him at the bus stop.
“He just lucked out. He landed on his feet with this wonderful job surrounded by musicians, by artists, by people who took him in as if he was part of a loving family that just welcomed him,” Anna shared.
“He loved that there were multiple ages around him at the time. Being around young people, although he always felt young at heart, he always said, ‘I don’t feel old. I still feel about 21,’” Anna continued. “So, that, and being around the music, all the extra things they had, the dinners they put together, they always made a huge birthday, he got to go to concerts, there was just lots of activity in his life. He had friends there. It was his social life.”
Tony retired from the shop at the impressive age of 99 when his health and eyesight meant he could no longer work at the counter. But finding someone to take over the shop was out of the question. This was Tony’s place and as many have described him, he was truly “irreplaceable.”
VAM would like to extend its deepest gratitudes to Anna Mouat and Pam Cooper for speaking with us to help share Tony’s story.
