75 Y.O. Man Puts Poster In Window Asking For Friends After Wife Dies
It goes without saying that humans are social beings. Being alone and socially distant is not a life for any person—the silence, the feeling of separation, and just the sheer thought could drive anyone to madness.
75-year-old Tony Williams of Alton, England has fairly recently lost his wife Jo to pancreatic cancer. She passed away this May at the age of 75. Since then, Tony has been feeling extremely lonely, and the fact that he hasn’t been able to find anyone to talk to, at the very least, has made matters even worse.
75 Y.O. Tony Williams from Alton, England recently lost his wife, and, unfortunately, has no kids or friends
Image credits: SWNS
Tony Williams is a 75-year-old retired physicist who was unfortunately unable to have children with his late wife Jo. Without any immediate family or friends nearby and with the pandemic at large, he now finds himself alone at home, waiting for his phone to ring, which is a rare occasion.
He tried several methods for finding people to chat with. He first put out two ads, each costing £120, in the local newspaper. Then, he also tried handing out business cards to people while on one of his walks. Sadly, nobody responded in either case.
To fight his unexpected and sudden loneliness, he decided to put up a poster on his window
Image credits: SWNS
Image credits: SWNS
So, he decided to try out something that he didn’t think would work, but it certainly was worth a try—he put up a poster on his home window that read as follows:
“I have lost Jo, my lovely wife and soulmate. I have no friends and nobody to talk to. I find the unremitting silence 24 hours a day unbearable torture. Can nobody help me?”
Apart from Jo, his wife of 35 years, Tony doesn’t have anyone to talk to and is now living in silence in his home
Image credits: SWNS
Image credits: SWNS
Tony first met Jo, who was a legal secretary, over 35 years ago at a bar. The time spent together in marriage was like “perfect harmony,” as Tony described it. He elaborated that their relationship felt very natural; it was as if he had known her all his life. No secrets, total openness, true soulmates.
“Jo was my best friend and we had a lovely life. But now I’m all by myself,” elaborated Tony. “My wonderful wife has just died, and I have nobody. All I want is for somebody to see the sign and phone me up. I just want a nice conversation so I’m not sat in silence all day long.”
He has tried putting up ads in the local newspaper and handing out business cards, but to no avail
Image credits: SWNS
Image credits: SWNS
The two had lived in Kempley, Forest of Dean, and Gloucestershire for around 25 years before moving to East Hampshire so that Jo could be closer to her sister. However, soon after, Jo fell ill and passed away just nine days after her diagnosis with pancreatic cancer.
The two would spend their evenings cooking, laughing, and listening to music together, sometimes several hours at a time. Tony explained that it was the highlight of their day after a hard day’s work.
Fortunately, his poster was spotted by the media and is now making headlines left and right
Image credits: SWNS
Image credits: SWNS
Well, sure enough, plopping down a poster at his window seemed to do the trick as Tony’s poster is now making headlines all over the place. Let’s hope this does not turn back on him and he is not bombarded by phone calls at all hours of the day!
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comment section below!
Here’s how people on the internet reacted
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I can be your pen pal from the states. I recently lost the love of my life to cancer , too. I truly understand your lonliness. I have no children either and I will be 65 in less than a month. It hurts so much and the pain is hard to explain.
Hugs to you from another member of this horrible group. I’m almost in a good place again — after four years — so know that even at our age we can still have fun and find love.
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I applaud this man's proactive efforts! Also, don't know if he uses the internet, but I remember reading something about a commission in the UK in loneliness. Couldn't find it, but here is a UK-based non-profit for lonely seniors: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/
How do we get this nice man's email address? I would write to him. PLEASE DO A SECONDARY STORY LISTING HIS INFO. 😁😁😁
Any chance he has a email??? I would love to chat and be friends with this man!!!
I hope he finds friends and people to talk to. Losing your partner after such a long time is heart wrenching. I wish I lived near him, I would love to be his friend!
It seems like there should be a network of people like him that when others need a pick-me-up or advice, or to vent or a chat, they can call a number and then are routed to someone in the network (like this gentleman) and the person calling can get advice, or a chat, and the people in the network get regular (but not an overwhelming amount) of conversation.
That’s a really good idea. I wonder if Age UK might be able to set something like that up. Perhaps the senior citizens who can afford it could pay maybe £1 a time to use the service, as Age UK is a charity.
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It isn't just age. I'm 32. Broken hearted by love, scammed by date, work in the house, and no deep connection to anyone. Friends(all 4 of them) are taking care of family. No one seems to have time for anyone,...well maybe just not for me.
i am alone 24/7/365. no fam, no friends, no work, no one to socialize. am i an ashole or bad person?! i dont think so. this is my life for already 5 years, i am 39. this world became hell for so many and no one gets why. the future of the world is dark, very dark.
My grandma lives in an assisted living facility, She has her own room with small kitchen. I think she gets fairly lonely. She had 5 kids, and they all call each other weekly to check in. Well one day my parents were having a call with her when my husband and son drove up to my parent's house. Well my grandma, you could tell, she was amazed. She heard my voice and her grandson's voice and she loved it. She said it was the highlight of her day, and pretty good one for me too. So even though there is isolation, it's about getting creative on ways to connect. She doesn't have the internet or computer where she lives, so these phone calls are her lifeline to health and happiness.
Is there info on how to get in touch with this gentleman? I see he is holding out the business card but I cant make out the email address?
Can anyone read the email address in the picture of the business card? I'd happily email him.
I found this on nypost.com: "Those who wish to contact Mr. Williams may email News@SWNS.com for more information."
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I'm totally a year behind this ..... which means this lovely gentleman has been dealing with Covid & all the restrictions that it entails! I'm a country away but (& I know this is probably the silliest thing, considering the world these days, however my email is joeholtom@gmail.com....) ! Sir, if you happen to see this I know email isn't exactly the same as a conversation but I'm around if you just want 2 chat!
The feeling of lonelyness is troublesome and not good for our mental health. As we humans are a social animal, we can't stay alone for longer time. We always need someone to accompany. Afte a certain age especially after 60 years it become even harder and harder to live lonely life. Several reasons are responsible for this. If you know such lonely elderly people try to be kind and supportive with them. Your one smile and "HI" can make their day.
join a club maybe? Facebook is also a good way to talk to people.
What happened to his late wife’s sister? They moved to be closer to her , why isn’t she spending time with him? He seems so kind. I wish I was closer to him (across the pond) I would socially distant visit him for tea like the fabulous British do.
As a society we still don't do enough for the elderly and it's really quite sad.
Thank you, Toby, for letting people know it’s not just OK to feel alone and lonely — it’s normal!! And Covid has only underscored the genuine need for human contact, for conversation, for a hug, for just sitting together while one of you reads and the other watches television, for even the comfort of knowing you can call someone and talk. I know your beautiful Jo is your #1 cheerleader in making the connections you’re sure to for even the comfort of knowing someone is thinking of you, or after this article. Just be careful of those who may want to take advantage — it happens so often to women who fall prey to a conman, but the opposite occurs more than than one might think. Big hugs from Connecticut - enjoy life and all it’s unexpected Ted joys, Tony, and know that Jo is always with you. 💗💗💗
Go to the library, a coffee shop, a dog park, take a walk. Smile. You will find friends easily.
Everyone needs friends I'm so sorry for his loss and I hope he finds people to make his life brighter.
I used to teach English as a second language and I sometimes had to physically drag students out of their homes to get them to talk to their neighbors.. all for the sake of practicing English, of course. Perhaps you could try the opposite approach: contact a place where immigrants are learning English and inquire whether anyone would like to practice with you.
Where does it say she didn't 'let him have friends'? I may have missed it, though I suspect it is far more likely that they were everything and enough for each other. It's not the best strategy, to be that dependant on just one person, as sadly, someone usually goes first. I can see why it happens though.
Load More Replies...
I really hope your comment is a sarcastic one but if it isn't... You see, people really are sociable creatures. Even if one is an introvert or has trust issues, still needs someone to rely on to care of, to talk with... A real, living person, which will interact with you, comments on your stories and has opinions different than yours. I'm in no position to question existence or absence of God or any other Higher Instance, nonetheless God CANNOT replace an existence of another human being no matter how religious you are. Also, not all of people are fickle - but if you have only such bad experience, I really feel sorry for you. Saying so, I deeply hope both you and man from this article will find true, reliable friends to spend your time with.
Load More Replies... I can be your pen pal from the states. I recently lost the love of my life to cancer , too. I truly understand your lonliness. I have no children either and I will be 65 in less than a month. It hurts so much and the pain is hard to explain.
Hugs to you from another member of this horrible group. I’m almost in a good place again — after four years — so know that even at our age we can still have fun and find love.
Load More Replies... I applaud this man's proactive efforts! Also, don't know if he uses the internet, but I remember reading something about a commission in the UK in loneliness. Couldn't find it, but here is a UK-based non-profit for lonely seniors: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/
How do we get this nice man's email address? I would write to him. PLEASE DO A SECONDARY STORY LISTING HIS INFO. 😁😁😁
Any chance he has a email??? I would love to chat and be friends with this man!!!
I hope he finds friends and people to talk to. Losing your partner after such a long time is heart wrenching. I wish I lived near him, I would love to be his friend!
It seems like there should be a network of people like him that when others need a pick-me-up or advice, or to vent or a chat, they can call a number and then are routed to someone in the network (like this gentleman) and the person calling can get advice, or a chat, and the people in the network get regular (but not an overwhelming amount) of conversation.
That’s a really good idea. I wonder if Age UK might be able to set something like that up. Perhaps the senior citizens who can afford it could pay maybe £1 a time to use the service, as Age UK is a charity.
Load More Replies... It isn't just age. I'm 32. Broken hearted by love, scammed by date, work in the house, and no deep connection to anyone. Friends(all 4 of them) are taking care of family. No one seems to have time for anyone,...well maybe just not for me.
i am alone 24/7/365. no fam, no friends, no work, no one to socialize. am i an ashole or bad person?! i dont think so. this is my life for already 5 years, i am 39. this world became hell for so many and no one gets why. the future of the world is dark, very dark.
My grandma lives in an assisted living facility, She has her own room with small kitchen. I think she gets fairly lonely. She had 5 kids, and they all call each other weekly to check in. Well one day my parents were having a call with her when my husband and son drove up to my parent's house. Well my grandma, you could tell, she was amazed. She heard my voice and her grandson's voice and she loved it. She said it was the highlight of her day, and pretty good one for me too. So even though there is isolation, it's about getting creative on ways to connect. She doesn't have the internet or computer where she lives, so these phone calls are her lifeline to health and happiness.
Is there info on how to get in touch with this gentleman? I see he is holding out the business card but I cant make out the email address?
Can anyone read the email address in the picture of the business card? I'd happily email him.
I found this on nypost.com: "Those who wish to contact Mr. Williams may email News@SWNS.com for more information."
Load More Replies... I'm totally a year behind this ..... which means this lovely gentleman has been dealing with Covid & all the restrictions that it entails! I'm a country away but (& I know this is probably the silliest thing, considering the world these days, however my email is joeholtom@gmail.com....) ! Sir, if you happen to see this I know email isn't exactly the same as a conversation but I'm around if you just want 2 chat!
The feeling of lonelyness is troublesome and not good for our mental health. As we humans are a social animal, we can't stay alone for longer time. We always need someone to accompany. Afte a certain age especially after 60 years it become even harder and harder to live lonely life. Several reasons are responsible for this. If you know such lonely elderly people try to be kind and supportive with them. Your one smile and "HI" can make their day.
join a club maybe? Facebook is also a good way to talk to people.
What happened to his late wife’s sister? They moved to be closer to her , why isn’t she spending time with him? He seems so kind. I wish I was closer to him (across the pond) I would socially distant visit him for tea like the fabulous British do.
As a society we still don't do enough for the elderly and it's really quite sad.
Thank you, Toby, for letting people know it’s not just OK to feel alone and lonely — it’s normal!! And Covid has only underscored the genuine need for human contact, for conversation, for a hug, for just sitting together while one of you reads and the other watches television, for even the comfort of knowing you can call someone and talk. I know your beautiful Jo is your #1 cheerleader in making the connections you’re sure to for even the comfort of knowing someone is thinking of you, or after this article. Just be careful of those who may want to take advantage — it happens so often to women who fall prey to a conman, but the opposite occurs more than than one might think. Big hugs from Connecticut - enjoy life and all it’s unexpected Ted joys, Tony, and know that Jo is always with you. 💗💗💗
Go to the library, a coffee shop, a dog park, take a walk. Smile. You will find friends easily.
Everyone needs friends I'm so sorry for his loss and I hope he finds people to make his life brighter.
I used to teach English as a second language and I sometimes had to physically drag students out of their homes to get them to talk to their neighbors.. all for the sake of practicing English, of course. Perhaps you could try the opposite approach: contact a place where immigrants are learning English and inquire whether anyone would like to practice with you.
Where does it say she didn't 'let him have friends'? I may have missed it, though I suspect it is far more likely that they were everything and enough for each other. It's not the best strategy, to be that dependant on just one person, as sadly, someone usually goes first. I can see why it happens though.
Load More Replies... I really hope your comment is a sarcastic one but if it isn't... You see, people really are sociable creatures. Even if one is an introvert or has trust issues, still needs someone to rely on to care of, to talk with... A real, living person, which will interact with you, comments on your stories and has opinions different than yours. I'm in no position to question existence or absence of God or any other Higher Instance, nonetheless God CANNOT replace an existence of another human being no matter how religious you are. Also, not all of people are fickle - but if you have only such bad experience, I really feel sorry for you. Saying so, I deeply hope both you and man from this article will find true, reliable friends to spend your time with.
Load More Replies...
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