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PHOTOS: COURTESY OF STAR 48 / MARCH.APRIL.2015 RINKMAGAZINE.COM CEnter ice In memory of a rink professional Red Wings. After playing one year at St. Cloud State, he played four years in the Red Wings farm system. Tony then accepted a job in the arena industry. The support by the industry at the visitation and funeral showed what a true treasure Tony was for us. —Mark Vaughan, Eagan Civic Arena // Dale made a great move by hiring Tony. He started working for R and R 18 years ago. He was an instant favorite with all. His witty sense of humor was magnetic. Tony, Dale and I traveled to many trade shows and to Canada together. My parents and hubby and I flew out for their Vegas wedding. It was so fun to share in that special day. We painted rinks and sat side by side. Two years ago he brought me out of "retirement." It was so fun to walk through the door and see him. It will never be the same at R and R. Our office is a special place. We share stories and laugh all day. We are a family. They are my guys. And we have lost one. Tony and I had a friendship that can never be replaced. He was like a brother to me. My heart is broken. I would tell him to drink water; he would walk in with coffee. And smile. Oh, that smile. I imagine it worked to his benefit more than once. He served on the board of WIAMA. He was so much more than a board member; he was a leader and a friend. He made us all smile and laugh. His dedication to improving the safety and quality of all the arenas will never be forgotten. He was also a member of MIAMA. They remember Tony as having a knack for listening, learning and laughing. He was so nice and helpful; he was so witty and so funny. He will be missed. —Eulogy excerpt by Angelique Hatch // I have known Tony for 18 years. From the time he started at R and R, I talked to him on a weekly/daily basis, ordering all kinds of rink supplies and talking about many ice arena prob- lems. A 10-minute phone call would normally turn into an hour- long conversation. Any time he made it down to the Chicago area, we were sure to get together for lunch or dinner. Tony was a very humble person. He never bragged about his successful hockey-playing career, which I found outstanding. Tony will be missed in so many different ways. —Dan Ahearn, United Center THIS YEAR'S WIAMA SPRING CONFERENCE GOLF TOURNAMENT HAS BEEN RENAMED THE TONY BURNS MEMORIAL GOLF SCRAMBLE. ALL MONEY RAISED AT THE EVENT WILL BE DONATED TO TONY'S MEMORIAL FUND. , Continued from page 46 , Tony was an artist. He took pride in every piece of his work, and it showed.