August 13, 1946 – March 25, 2011
It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Tom on Friday, March 25, 2011. He is survived by his loving wife of 42 years, Corinne; son, Jason; two daughters, Tracy (Paul), Shawna (Chris) and four grandchildren, Brayden, Darby, Kessiah and Addison; brother, Jack (Margaret); sisters, Sharon (Jimmy), Cheryl (Dan), as well as many nieces and nephews. Tom was born in Calgary, Alberta and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Calgary. While working with the Alberta Government as a social worker, he was transferred to Edmonton, where he and Corinne raised their three children. In 1991, Tom and Corinne opened Cinema Star Video in Victoria, BC. His excitement in this endeavor transferred to all those around him and it was rare if you walked in and didn’t hear his laugh. He loved and took great pride in the business until his retirement in 2008. Upon retirement, he began a new chapter in his life, travelling with his grandchildren. Disneyland and Maui were a couple of his favorites. He talked endlessly about seeing Ireland and he and Corinne were able to make it happen in 2010. Tom was his children’s and grandchildren’s biggest fan. His smile and infectious laugh brought joy and happiness to all. It made him the loudest in the stands and the most excited at all events, from dance to hockey, soccer to rock gigs, he was always right up front. As the grandkids would say, “How is Jibby ever going to find her glasses?”
A Memorial Service will be held in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, Johnson & Vancouver Streets, on Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the B.C. Friends of Schizophrenia Society Memorial Fund, Victoria Branch. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.mccallbros.com
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Kara Foerster (soone to be Buttree)
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Heather MacDonald Dear Auntie Coke, Jason, Tracy, Shawna, Auntie Sharon and families,
I will always remember Uncle Tom’s contagious laugh! He will be greatly missed.
My heart goes out to you ALL in Victoria today and the days and months to come. I love you all and will pray with you today.
Hugs,
Heather and Ryan
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Tammy and Doug Thorogood Such a shock to lose someone so dear and so close to our hearts. We will treasure all the years of fun times and all the memories we made together. In my earlier days of golf, I always liked to play with Tom. He was the only one I could beat:) I hope your lifetime of memories will bring you comfort in the days and months ahead. Tom’s legacy will live on through Jason, Tracy, Shawna, and all those beautiful grandchildren. We love you and will be lifting you all up in our thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Doug, Tammy and family.
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Ken Vincent Corrine
I was saddened to read of Tom’s passing. May the Lord be with you and your family at this time of need.
I can still remember Tom’s good nature and jovial laugh when we both worked for AMHC. Thank you for including the notice to his many friends here in Edmonton. Take care and God Bless.
Ken Vincent
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Wayne & Jean Stankievech & family Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you find comfort in each other and in the memories you have.
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Tara Kurkowsky We were so saddened by the loss of Uncle Tom. He was a person who was full of life. He had the best laugh and always made our day. I loved how uncle Tom would would always make us smile. He will be greatly missed and we will charish all the fond memories that we had with him. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family. We are thinking of you Auntie Corrine,Tracy,Shawna,Jason, and your family’s. We love you guys lots and we are always there for you.
Tara,Mike and Katelynn Kurkowsky xoxoxoxo
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Russ Ennis We were very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He will be sorely missed by friends and family; we know how close my parents were to you guys for the last almost 20 years in Victoria, and going back more than twice that to growing up in Calgary. Most of the updates I’d get from mom and dad in recent years were stories of things they got up to with Corrine and Tom, and when you get together now his absence will be keenly felt. I know you will support each other through this most difficult of times.
Love,
Russ, Vicky and Luke
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Ron & Judi Sallis Dear Corrine,
We were so saddened to read about Tom’s sudden passing. We use to really enjoy going into Cinema Star Video to have a visit with Tom and your little dog, Bailey.
We are so sorry for your loss, our thoughts are with you and your family.Ron & Judi Sallis
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Eila MacDonald MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
MY THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY,CORINNE.
SINCERELY, EILA.
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Billy & Alex Argus Dear Corinne,
We send our love and prayers to you and your family at this sad time. I remember the first time I met Tom – we three had “High Tea” at the Empress Hotel, and I can still see his big shining, smiling face -he was such wonderful company and I could tell you two were just made for each other.
May you find comfort and strength with the love and support of your family and friends.
Sincerely with love,
Billy, Alex and family
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Deb and Jim Forsey My heart is breaking. Tom was a huge part of our life and we both loved him so much. He was always there for us no matter what was going on in his life. He was like a brother to us, and he will be in our hearts forever!!!!.. Opie you were the best. x0x0x0x0x0
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Catherine Hook So sorry to hear of the suden passing of Tom. He’ll be greatly missed.His bright smile and spontanious laughter made this world a happier place for us all.Our thoughts go out to you and the family at this very difficult time.
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Jean Morel It is hard to believe that he is gone. Even in his picture, his cheeky grin is infectious. I will always remember him laughing and living life as he saw fit!
His legacy is the loving caring people you are surrounded with.
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Trisha Tonkin Corinne and the family. I was so saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. He was, indeed, a very happy, special man with always a smile on his face. My thoughts go out to all the family.
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Michael Morel Seeing his picture , it still does not seem real. I can see his smile and hear his laugh, what a wonderful thing it was. We were always happy see Tom and Coke. Your children and grandchildren are your legacy and they are great people. We will miss him and it was a pleasure to have known him.
Michael, Holly, Jack and Alex
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Charlene and Mark Haley His heart smiled out loud every time he laughed, and yours could not help but smile along. What an amazing man. We are all so lucky to have had him in our lives. Our condolences to you Corinne and your wonderful family.
Charlene, Mark and Family
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Ros Tom, miss you so much already. Miss your laugh and the good times together. Have spent alot of time with Corinne, Tracy , Shauna and Jay. Will do all I can to take care of Corinne. Love and miss you always, Ros
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Rozelle Young We are all so very shocked and sad to hear of Tom’s passing. What a true and fitting tribute being that you can’t think of Tom without thinking of that infectious deep laugh. May all those many moments of laughter you all shared bring you comfort now. Tom leaves a wonderful legacy in all of you. We can all honor him best by living a life with joy and much laughter.
Thinking of you all,
Rozelle, Gord and Family
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Murray and Shelley Ruhr Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom was a wonderful and joyful man.
Sincerely,
Murray and Shelley
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Lutz and Barb Keller We were so shocked and saddened to hear about Tom’s passing. Just when it looked like we were finally going to hook up with you guys again and catch up on everything that’s gone on in the decades since we’ve seen each other, it’s devastating to know that’s not going to happen. For years, if I wanted to conjure up his face, I’d remember his laugh, and I could see him clear as day.
I can’t imagine what you’re going through right now. Our hearts are with you all.
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Sandra Jardine/Linda Lant We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. We had the pleasure of Tom’s company many nights when we all lived in Edmonton. Tom always made us feel welcome in his home and we will remember his love of just the simple things in life. Corrine, Tracey, Shawna and Jason, we feel the saddness in your life and may that be lifted ever so slightly in knowing we are thinking of you and care very deeply with you all and your sorrow. We know you will miss him but he will remain in all our hearts forever.
Love Sandra and Linda
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Barbara Falcon I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing and wish I had the right words to offer you all some comfort.
He will always be a part of each and every one of you who loved him so.
And he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Barb Falcon
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Marilee & Gordon Jasper We are so very sad to hear of Tom’s passing! He was a special cousin who brought such joy to all who knew him. He will always be fondly remembered for his wonderful laugh, twinkling eyes and caring, kind spirit. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Coke, Jason, Tracy & Paul, and Shawna and Chris, as well as those beloved grandchildren. Our condolences also go to Jack, Sharon and Cheryl. We are thinking of you; God bless you all! You will be remembered in our prayers. Wish we could be there with you to celebrate a life well lived.
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Marilee & Gordon Jasper We are so very sad to hear of Tom’s passing! He was a special cousin who brought such joy to all who knew him. He will always be fondly remembered for his wonderful laugh, twinkling eyes and caring, kind spirit. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Coke, Jason, Tracy & Paul, and Shawna and Chris, as well as those beloved grandchildren. God bless you all; you will be remembered in our prayers. Wish we could be there with you to celebrate a life well lived.
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Lesley Jardine Hogan We are so very deeply sadden to hear the news of the sudden loss of Tom. You are right, his laugh and smile was infectious and it is what I remember most about him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very sad time, he will be greatly missed.
Love Lesley (Jardine) Kieran, Emily and Ethan Hogan.
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Brandy Thorogood Uncle Tom will be greatly missed!!! I’ll always remember his laugh and his smile. Whenever any of us visited aunty coke and uncle tom he was always interested in what was going on in our lives. I will never forget playing cornhole for hours on end. He spent time making us awesome cornhole boards that have been well used!! We love you!!! Biggest sympathy to Aunty Coke, Tracy, Shawna, Jason and all the grandkids. xoxo
Brandy
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Lisa Bateman I don’t think it seemed real to me until I read this just now. Seeing Papa’s smiling face made it very real.
I can’t imagine how hard this is for all of you. He truly was a great man and will be greatly missed!
Take care of eachother.
Love you all,Lisa
Went into Broadmead CinemaStar today and asked if Tom was ever by could they please say “Hi” for me…and learned of his passing. Such a sad moment, frozen at the thought of his light fading from the world! He was truly one of the best bosses I ever had. Set a high standard! My sincere condolences to his family for his loss. Thank you Tom, for giving me the opportunity to work at your Gorden Head locale in the 90’s (with Charlene & others), and for always looking out for me, and the safety and needs of all the staff! Shine on in your next journey….