The Loss of a Friend - Pastor Anthony (Tony) Reyes

This is my friend Pastor Anthony Reyes (Tony). We often took selfies together. Tony died of a heart attack on Thursday as he was leaving his apartment for cancer treatment.

Tony had throat cancer and doctors removed his voice box. He was learning to read lips and communicated using a writing tablet. Tony was my friend, a prayer partner, and a wonderful minister to the homeless. He walked with a limp due to a hip replacement. I teased him about speaking faster when he wrote too slowly on his tablet. Sometimes I asked him to speak up because I couldn’t hear him. All of this was totally inappropriate unless you were friends, and prayer partners. After surviving multiple surgeries, Tony pursued getting his formal pastoral certificate so he could go even deeper into ministering to the lost and hopeless. He prayed for LYNN Ministries and directed many people to go where we were serving. Tony leaves behind a loving family, a fiancé (or wife depending who you ask) and many friends.

I am not the only one from LYNN Ministries that is in pain. Tony was loved by many of us and there were many tears shed today, this is simply my account. Tony was a good man and I will miss him, as will many others. I am so sick of death.

Next day edit: As I pray this morning and wait for the sun to rise I am reminded that the Son has already risen, and Tony is with Jesus now feeling more joy than he has ever known, singing with a strong voice and finally free from pain. Tony’s race is now complete and he hands the baton to others to carry on the work of Christ in Brockton and elsewhere. Tony has earned his rest and may echo the words of the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7). Rest well Tony, I look forward to seeing you again.

Thank you for listening.