THOMAS GORDON THOMPSON

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THOMAS GORDON THOMPSON

November 17, 1942 - Winnipeg, Manitoba - October 6, 2023 - Water Valley, Alberta

Amazingly peaceful, on Friday, October 6, 2023, Thomas Gordon Thompson passed away, at home, in Water Valley, AB, at the age of 80.

Tom was born in Winnipeg, MB, on November 17, 1942, eldest son to dad, Harry, and mother, Mary. He spent his childhood living with his close-knit nuclear family unit in the Brookland’s Community, Winnipeg, MB, and moving to the Silver Heights area in adolescence. He is survived and left to mourn his brother, William (Bill; Ex: Lenny, Barbara), son, Jeffrey, and daughter, Tammy; his "little sister" Hazel (Don), Bob (Adele), Hunter, Jeremy, Carmen, and Sherry (Darryll), Jane and Alex. A work transfer to Alberta in 1983, left Tom and Linda missing out on Thompson Get-Togethers, however, they did travel back to Winnipeg, MB, when health allowed them to do so. Uncle Tom did not get to know his nieces and nephew and their children as much as he would have liked.

Bill nicknamed Tom "Brother Moon", and he attended Westwood College in 1961 to work as a stock clerk, mechanic and shipper helper and parts man at Motor Coach Industries and Canadian Tire. He was hard-working and well-liked by his colleagues. In childhood, Tommy and Billy enjoyed many rabbit hunting and fishing trips with Uncle Ed which are fond memories he recalls several times across his lifespan. However, and especially significant was his last life review this September, when he did a week deja vu, calling daily, "Where’s Billy, Where’s Little Sis, Where’s Uncle Ed, Where’s Douger, and Wade" and once, called out loud, "Mom". Linda reassured him of their whereabouts, and they looked at old family photos of earlier good family times.

Tom joined the Royal Canadian Air Force Marching Band achieving his Private Pilot’s Licence at the Winnipeg Flying Club in 1960. Tom married the love-of-his-life, Linda AK Serbin, on March 9, 1968. Perceived by many as "always constant and steady." Tom and Linda reached their 55-year milestone Wedding Anniversary this year. Their traditional family life upbringing provided a solid foundation for their atypical, "Choice Adult Adoptions" a family life system that continues to change and evolve, across the decades, out of the marrow of their love for each other and children needing a family to love across the sands of time, and according to their adult children’s family needs.

Only God knows "the hidden mysteries behind the why’s" Tom and Linda have been called, blessed meeting so many lovely children, and adults out there. During Linda’s supervised PhD process, reparenting treatment approaches for children abused and/or abandoned. Dr. Linda was endearingly known as "Mama Linda Tiger". Tom and Linda have repeatedly opened their hearts and home (good Samaritans), not only to family and friends, especially to those fleeing domestic violence and abuse.

Tom leaves to mourn his son, Wade (ex: Susan), granddaughter Samantha, son Douglas (Susan), granddaughters, Trinity and Aurora; daughter Brenda, and granddaughter Ashley.

In 1969, Tom launched, entered the Airline Industries, a warehouse man for I.T.T. Artic Services and in 1969, as an airframe mechanic for C.A.E. In 1962, an aircraft mechanic with Trans Air Ltd. where and unbeknownst to him, exposed to asbestos. Tom remained an aircraft mechanic working for Pacific Western in Winnipeg, MB, with a transfer to Canadian Airlines in Calgary, AB, living in Airdrie, AB.

Tommy’s aircraft mechanic career spanned approximately 36 years, and his final post was very special with WestJet on the Night Check Crew. All levels of this organization treated, respected, supported him and his wife, Linda as he fought and beat his first battle with Stage four colorectal cancer, asbestos causes this too! His surgeon, Dr. MacLean, Dr. Sylvie, and Dr. Wong put together a four-part program to fight and won the battle; three surgeries, one month radiation, and four rounds of chemotherapy; an 18 month process. The good news story is Tommy got a miracle, returned to work to eventually retire in 2012, hanging up his coveralls and boots on the retiree wall.

Gratitude to all the staff at Foothill’s Hospital, Dr. MacLean, and Dr. Sylvie, Tom Baker Centre; Dr. Wong, and Radiology, Rocky View General Hospital; Dr. Barr, and Amanda, Day Surgery Staff who became "like family". Additional gratitude to all the allied professionals and consultants throughout Tommy’s 17 year journey of fighting to enjoy, savour each day. Moment-to-moment living was priceless with Tommy. Tom was cared for by three family physicians; Dr. C. Vervaeck in Didsbury, AB, and received exceptional care from Dr. Parmar, and Dr. Mclean, La Vita Medical Clinic in Airdrie, AB. Additional care from Didsbury Home Care, Calgary Rural Palliative Care Team, Respirologists, Dr. Tourin and Dr. Lim, plus Dream Sleep Respiratory providing excellent service and care extending both time and the quality of his life.

This sweet miracle man travelled an extensive 17 year journey battling and enduring five life-threatening diseases each day, no complaints nor landing on a pity-potty. Tommy received miracle healing from Father Bernie Black, Father Julian, and Father Bob. We are grateful to our church community, St. Paul’s in Airdrie, AB. Tom has a lot he wants to say and has advised Linda that he wants her to continue to tell his story, especially At-Home Intensive End-of-Life Care and the Zingers that arose out of the life-threatening diseases he endured the last five years of his life.

Tommy loved to Dance Roller Skate and I was unable to skate backwards, so he would lovingly escort Linda around the rink to a waltz …doing all the backward skating.

For many, Tom will remain a sweet gentle soul, a man who got down on the floor to play with the kids and puppies. Tom's legacy reveals a stellar man of noble character role-modelling how men ought to treat women and children. Our family continues to evolve and Tom and Linda continue in the process of Choice Adoption of two daughters, a granddaughter, and a son. They are planning to plant a new family tree in August 2024.

Interment pending Spring 2024, in Water Valley Cemetery.

An Epilogue: The husband of Noble Character is currently being scribed and will be spoken at his Interment. In lieu of flowers, Tommy asks that you send letters to Health Canada asking them to investigate the increased use of nanoparticles in prescription and over-the-counter medications, plus food, hygiene products, toothpaste, and recently cigarette filters, etc. This is particularly important for the long-term care of people with nickel sensitivities. Contact Health Canada, your MLA to ensure people living in Water Valley, AB, rural areas get funding and programs to provide Palliative Care Services. Another option is to donate funds to establish research and funding for the upcoming "blue collar workers" who’s lives, bodies are going to be ravished by work-related exposure to asbestos, noting it can take thirty to fifty years post-exposure to manifest asbestosis-related diseases.

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with Thomas’ family here.

In loving memory of Thomas Gordon Thompson, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Airdrie, 300 Towerlane Drive, Airdrie, AB T4B 3L8, Telephone: 403-948-1100.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Nov 25, 2023, Nov 25, 2023