It is with great saddness that I communicate to you that Father and Mrs. Christmas aka “The Ianuarios” lost their lives Friday in a tragic accident near Homer, Ga. They were on their way to perform a reading for children when their Dodge Magnum, what the couple called their “red sled,” collided with a tractor trailer, said the couple’s friends.
“A light literally went out in north Georgia when Tony and Ann were taken from us,” said friend and Dahlonega Merchant Association President Amy Strickland. The DMA is a sponsor of Olde Fashioned Christmas and the Gallery Walk each year. “Tony and Ann were the most wonderful people a lot of us will ever meet.”
Tony and His wife were more than amazing people. They both had a deep faith that ran through the threads of their handmade outfits and into their hearts.. Brooke and I had the privilege of photographing your children this past Christmas with Tony of which my four kids were able to participate as well. These photos have now become priceless to me. When he walked into my studio I got chills. This was no ordinary man and woman. They loved people and especially children. People are still talking about how special the photographs of him were with the children as he so greatly loved working with. I know they are in a better place, however, our world will greatly miss them. There are many people praying for his family.
Here is a direct link to that article in the Dahlonega Nugget news paper http://www.thedahloneganugget.com/articles/2009/03/11/news/01%20christmas.txt#rate . I encourage each of you to write a quick comment to encourage the family mourning their untimely deaths. Please mention in your own words how special he was to your children this past Christmas.
Please don’t mention my name as I am truly morning the death of this great couple. Since the photo session I’ve had numerous conversations with him and he had become a friend. I was planning on watching and listening to his bluegrass live, but unfortunately will never get to. He truly was the real deal. He talked the talk and walked the walk…something all of us can learn from.
Paul
