Tom was one of those gentlemen from times gone by. The kind of men you read about in history books. A protector and provider for his family. Kind and curteous to everyone he met. A quiet soul just going about his daily life.
But he was also funny, spoke his mind, and would not put up with any nonsense.
Most of us who had the privilege of sharing just a tiny part of Tom’s long and unique life have been on the sharp end of few home truths from Tom, spoken in equal parts of care and kindness no matter how harsh they may have appeared at the time.
Tom was many things to many people. A husband, a son, a brother, a grandad, a great-grandad, a neighbour, and a friend.
But my fondest memories of Tom are of him as a dad. I used to go to Norma and Tom’s for Sunday lunch back in the late 80s, and I still go to Louise’s house for Sunday lunch to this day.
I used to quietly watch as Tom, even in the later years of his life, would assume his position as the head and anchor of his family regardless of how many people were in that kitchen.
The earned and unspoken respect Tom received from everyone in that room had to be seen to be believed.
Tom would religiously slice the Sunday beef joint whilst sipping a glass of cabbage water as the background chatter and laughter wafted around the kitchen like the smell of the bisto gravy, aahhhh.
But in those family Sunday kitchen moments Tom, Norma, and Louise gave me so much more than simply food. They gave me love. And lots of it. Unspoken in words at times, but never in actions.
The rhythm of those Sunday dinners around Norma’s, and later Louise’s kitchen, kept me sustained many a time when my own family love was short in coming.
I will never forget those days, and I will never forget Tom, who touched my life more than he will ever know.
Tom, Steven, Paul, and Louise…how lucky you are to have been able to call this wonderful gentleman your DAD!! 💙
Julie Greener
16/05/2025
