Antony (Tony) Payne BSc 1974, MSc 1979 (died 28 February 2018, aged 64)
Obituary provided by Paula Payne
Executive Director, Odyssey Trust Company, Belfast
Tony Payne completed an initial degree in Computing, Operational Research and Statistics at Queen’s University Belfast in 1974. He joined the Psychology Department the same year as a tutor in Computer Programming and completed a Master’s Degree in the same subject 5 years later.
After completing his studies, Tony joined Coopers and Lybrand and trained as a Chartered Accountant.
Following the conclusion of his training Tony held a number of appointments in Northern Ireland including at Isaac Agnew’s and at Northern Ireland Airports, before he became Director of the Management Consultancy Division of Witt Thornton.
In 1998 he was appointed as Financial Director to the Odyssey Trust and more recently as Executive Director. Tony was very much admired and respected for his dedication and tireless commitment to the Odyssey Trust Company. In particular, his significant contribution to W5 helped turn it into Northern Ireland’s premier education centre for Science, Technology, Education and Mathematics. His legacy will continue to be appreciated by future generations.
His first sporting love was cricket and he represented Ards 1st X1 Cricket Team as a teenager. He switched sports to Kiltonga Squash Club Newtownards where he played Division 1 squash for several years as well as Division 1 tennis on request and for the Belfast and District League. He then joined Windsor Tennis Club in his early 40s, changing sports once more to tennis. Playing at Windsor was one of Tony’s great passions in life and he contributed significantly to the administration of the club, over the years holding positions as Chair of Council, Hon Treasurer and Captain. He continued to play at the club until he became ill. He had recently also become a member of Malone Golf Club and he was greatly looking forward to playing there.
Tony was married to Paula, an Educational Psychologist in the Education Authority, he had three daughters Gemma, Laura and Katrina and a son-in-law Callum.
Tony is hugely missed by his family and those from his professional and sporting life.
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