One of my first encounters with Tony was at his and Zinnia's house in 2008 for Thanksgiving. I was in law school and it was my first Thanksgiving not spent at home with my family of origin. What started that day was the beautiful beginning of a family of choice. Tony greeted me at the door with open arms, a huge smile, and an even bigger laugh. When I asked where I should put my coat, he grinned a Cheshire Cat grin and said, "Well, that depends - do you want it back?" 

After a beautiful meal of laughter, stories, and so much love, I thanked him and Zinnia for such a fabulous holiday and commented how different it was from holidays at home. Again with that grin and laugh, he said, "Well, we can throw some plates around if you want to it to feel more like home." Thus began the beginning of many Thanksgivings, Christmases, New Years', birthdays, and other holidays together.

Tony opened his heart, as well as his home, to so many people. He and Zinnia opened my eyes to a different way of life full of love, admiration, and respect - both for each other and then for Kaila. They helped me grow to be the person I am today.

Tony, thank you for every conversation and laugh we shared, all the meals and fellowship, for all you taught me, and for the light and love you shared with everyone. I miss you, my dear friend, and wish you were still Earth-side. You made my world a better place.

What can I say. I am blessed to have know T and Z for over 20 years now. He was a force of nature and Baltimore is a better place for having know him. I will tell the Jim Palmer story for the rest of my life. Love you Zin.

I knew Tony when I lived in Baltimore. He was one of a kind!!! He always had a story and made you laugh. Miss you, Buddy!

While I was not blessed to meet Tony in person, we were connected virtually after the riots in Baltimore and his interview with Michael Berry (a friend of mine) on Michael's syndicated show on iHeart Radio. His story inspired me to reach out and help him and his restaurant through those tough days and I remained a virtual friend with him through the years after that. The world lost a good man that I had hoped to meet in person some day but I pray we have the chance to meet again down the road.

Tony was truly one of a kind. You were in for an amazing story and some unique insights when you talked with him. I loved his attitude when people attempted to underestimate him. His love for Zinnia and Kaila was everything to him. Rest in peace.

I worked with Tony over 30 years ago, and He is certainly someone that you can never forget! Pinocchio’s, in Mt Vernon was where I met him, but we kept in touch sporadically over the years (the good ones, bad ones, and the even better ones that he shared, thanks to FB!) I’m so happy that Tony found such purpose and love in his life and my condolences go to his beautiful family, who he spoke about with such pride and love❤️

I met Tony at a Friday night meeting in Catonsville. It was in January of 2006. I was newly sober and completely out of my mind.
I was restless, irritable and discontented and mad af. The chair person said something I didn’t like so I stood and started to talk with him (not kindly). Tony was sitting next to me, he said “our only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking”.
I turned to him and said great I drink like an animal. He responded “please sit down, I’ll talk to u when the meeting is over”.
He asked me if I wanted to read with him the next morning and after taking that suggestion my life took off like a rocket.
Tony and I went to a lot of meetings over the years. We shared the love of several things in life. First AA, and the big book. Second ice cream.
Like everyone else I have a million Tony stories.
This is my favorite: We went to a meeting in York PA. On the way home he asked if anyone wanted ice cream.This all takes place in a Baskin Robins drive through. Myself and the other men in track all enthusiastically answered yes. Tony got his ice cream first, then sorted the rest of us out. Then he never pulled away, which I thought was a little strange. Tony just stared at the guy serving the ice cream. The server finally walked over and asked if everything was ok. Tony says “you are an artist, I love to watch you work!”
Then he pulled away ,We laughed all the way back to Baltimore.
There were times we didn’t talk and times we talked often.
I can never repay the gift he passed on to me. So when I heard he was having some health problems I made it a point to see him.
As always we included food. I forgot to mention that We always went out to eat and what a fabulous chef he was. I still butcher steaks with the knife he gave me as a wedding gift.
So we hadn’t seen each other in a bit. He came in full biker gear. And told me he was having a tough time health wise.
I struck a deal with him (anyone that knows Tony knows he loves a deal). The deal was we’d get together as often as possible.
We started having lunches, catching up.
He talked of his wife and daughter fondly.
We discussed all our friends over all the years. The ones that were with us and the ones that had passed. Mentally Tony had slowed down a bit. And we’d talked about our children and when we parted ways I’d thank him for all he’d done for me over the years and tell him that I loved him.
Our last meal was the same.
In closing Tony was a lot of things to a lot of people.
To me he was a friend when my own family wasn’t talking to me.
He was a light in the dark when I was lost.
He was a man that helped change my life in a way that was unimaginable that first night we met.
Good, bad and sometimes ugly he proved to me that God works through those who make themselves available to those that are suffering.
I love you Tony Harrison
Thanks for everything my friend
I’ll see you when I get there

My brother was my hero. In the marines we say Semper Fi, it means always faithful. He was. My love for him will never die. Zinnia and Kyla I am so sorry for your loss. I’m Here

I will miss you you left us too soon