Anthony Hugh Clay

West Point, 1965

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by G. Jerry Merges on July 19, 2016:

We met during Beast Barracks at Mass Athletics when the swim team gathered together with Coach Jack Ryan. As we looked around at our class and the quality of athletes we shared a huge grin. We were loaded and as our plebe year unfolded Tony, Steve, Buddy, Ray, Timmy, Bob and I knew we were going to re-write the record book. We did, starting with our first meet and, if memory serves me correctly, took on the varsity team early on and served notice that we were a force to be reckoned with in the future. Tony set many individual records, both plebe and varsity during career and I had the pleasure of teaming up with him, Steve Bliss, and Bill Landgraf '64 to set an American relay record. Buddy Bucha emailed me while we all were nominating our coach for the Hall of Fame, that perhaps we were the most obnoxious group of swimmers to arrive en masse. I am sure the varsity team felt that way watching Tony lead the way in the freestyle record book. As a teammate, Tony was a leader and an enthusiastic cheerleader for all of the team. He led the way by scoring loads of points and always wanting each of the team to strive for their personal bests. Practices were like mini-meets with the team pushing each other to greatness. Over the years Tony was the brother I never had, sharing times together in Florida, at Reunions and a special day at the Commandant's House during Buddy's DGA award. We will swim together again in God's 50 meter pool, effortlessly and so darn fast. My life is and was blessed by my love for Tony. Well Done, my brother.

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