Tony "Tiger" Ford-Loughridge of Utica, passed away Thursday, October 4, 2001.  He was 18. 
      Tony Tiger was born in 1983 in Gibson, N.Y., the son of Leo Lion and Shamu Loughridge,and human parents, Paul and Brenda Loughridge. In 1984, the family, including Tony, Leo, Shamu, and Tony's brother Timmy, moved to Holland Patent where they lived until moving to Ilion in 1986. 
      Following rough family times Tony came to live with Paul and Tony's new step-mom, Nancy L. Ford. At that time, Leo and Shamu, were sent to live with their beloved  grandma, Joyce "Grunting" Loughridge and step-sister, Muffin, for a few years until Nancy and Paul bought a new house. Timmy was sent to live with his mommy and step-daddy, Brenda and Scott McIntosh.
      Leo, Shamu and Tony were later re-united when Leo and Shamu came to Utica to live with Nancy and Paul.
      In 1998, Paul moved to Little Falls and Tony decided to stay with Nancy where there were no dogs around to give him dirty looks.  In 1999, Tony got a new step-brother and close friend, Horatio Seymour.
     Tony's 2 minutes of fame came in 1999, when he and Leo were found to be listed as addition drivers on Nancy's car insurance, and became the subject of a column that appeared in the Observer-Dispatch. 
      Tony will always be remembered for the playful manner in which he lived his life.  His sense of humor was obvious during some of his antics, including stealing jewelry and hiding it in shoes.  He also liked to take the plastic rings off of the mouth of milk cartons and carry them around hanging off of one of his teeth. 
      Tony's life was plagued with rumors that he had fallen off a second floor balcony when he was a kitten which caused him to become a skaredy-cat.  Though Tony spent the early years of his life being skittish, he eventually became a warm and loving friend to all who entered his home and greeted company with his boisterous meows and warm and gentle purring. 
      In the last few months of Tony's life, he kept close to his mommy every minute he could where she would do all that was possible to keep him comfortable.  In return, Tony was a great comfort to her during her illness in the past 4 months.  Seymour also went above and beyond to look out for Tony by cleaning him several times a day, sleeping with him at night, and waiting until Tony was done eating before he would eat.
      Tony will be missed by many, but the greatest loss is felt by his constant companion, Seymour.  The pair were inseparable, sharing every meal, sleeping together curled up in one giant fur ball and playing with the "Cat Dancer" together.  Seymour, who is very sad, has been searching the house for Tony, and misses him very much.. 
      Mommy will also miss Tony Tiger.  Tony slept with her every night in her arms and woke her up for work every morning, even when the alarm clock couldn't wake her. Though Mommy was often annoyed by Tony's ear-piercing, morning nagging, she will miss it immensely. 
      Tony is survived by Nancy, Seymour, Paul, Brenda and many aunts, uncles and dear friends.  He is pre-deceased by his loving parents, Leo and Shamu, and siblings, Timmy, Bear, Missy, Max and TJ, and step-sisters, Muffin Loughridge and Calypso Ford. 
      Nancy would also like to give special thanks to Dr. S. Demson and the staff at the Burrstone Animal Hospital for their dedicated service and friendship to Tony and Nancy throughout Tony's life, and for the compassion they showed in Tony's last hours.
      There will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held in Utica, NY, at a date yet to be announced. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Tony Tigers name to your local humane society.