Who is Mr. Howard, her father (Tony) - in Ch 13, called Tony from The Broken Bridge and what is their importance?

Throughout the novel, Tony Howard is referred to as Ginny's father or Dad. In Chapter 13, The Golden Years, Tony Howard is referred to as Tony by his parents. The author does this to stay true to the many roles the character plays in his novel life and to show how Ginny's train of thought regarding her father progresses. She sees him as father in the beginning; she sees him as a human being who is closer to her level of thinking in the end.