Long-time Whistler local Tony Tyler died the morning of Sept. 7 of a heart attack.
"He was the nicest guy on the face of the planet," said friend and co-worker Dave Manuel. "He had a magnetic personality. Everyone wanted to be near the guy."
Tyler, 50, had lived in the Whistler Valley for 17 years. Manuel described his friend as a pillar of the community.
"Tony was very family- and community-minded," said Manuel. "He was always helping people out."
Tyler was involved in a number of volunteer community groups, most notably the Whistler Minor Hockey Association. The association retired jersey number 4 in Tyler’s honour this week. The family asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Whistler Minor Hockey Association Scholarship Fund in memory of Tyler.
He was the first general manager of Whistler's North Shore Credit Union.
Tyler also worked at Wedgemount Contracting and Nordic Resorts. He was an employee of Mountain Motors at the time of his death.
A service and wake for Tyler was held Sept. 12 at Millennium Place. Among those scheduled to speak were Intrawest president Hugh Smythe and Whistler Mayor Hugh O'Reilly.
According to Manuel, Tyler might not be here in Whistler anymore but his spirit continues to live on.
"Tony had a great sense of humour," Manuel said. "He was quite the jokester.
"He's probably up there laughing right now."
Tyler is survived by his wife, Jacqui, and son, Sandy.
