“Uncle” Tom passed away peacefully at Sunshine Manor at Grand Forks on May 12, 2012. He was born on December 16, 1940, at Edmonton, Alberta. He spent his childhood at Rocky Mountain House, Springfield Oregon, Kelowna and Calgary. He worked in Calgary until 1970 when he moved to Vernon, B.C. He did various sales jobs there before moving to Grand Forks in 1977. He opened up “Olden Times”, a second hand store in 1978 which although not very successful, it became a meeting place for many people. The doors closed in 1983. His final job was with John Dowedoff at Kastco Industries where he really found his niche. As well as working along side John, he always had the coffee pot on for whoever came into the store. With the sudden closing of the business Tom was forced into early retirement. He found a love in woodcarving and spent may happy days creating. When the cedar dust became too much for him he moved his interest to rocks, fossils and minerals, and became involved with the Boundary Mining Association. He spent many years volunteering at the Labour Day Baseball Tournament and was a long time member of the Lions Club. He was a regular at the A&W for coffee in the mornings and his favourite thing was to go to the yard sales and buy stuff no one else would ever buy. He loved people and always had a welcoming hug for the ladies. His health deteriorated over the last two years and was rarely seen out.
He is survived by his spouse, Penny Mansell; his son, Shane of Summerland (Brenda); grandchildren: Alysha of Lethbridge, Blayne and Zachery; and two great-grandsons: Jovin and Riley; his mother, Roberta; sisters: Tanya, Sandra and Trina; brother, Randy; and many nephews and nieces.
Cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of his life held on Friday, June 22, 2012, from noon to 2 p.m., at the Senior’s Centre at City Park. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Habit for Humanity –Boundary Soc., Box 1088, Grand Forks, BC, V0H-1H0. Grand Forks Funeral Home had care of arrangements.