I WAS A STUDENT OF TOMS 1970-72. HE WAS LARGER THAN LIFE. I REMEMBER SITTING ON THIS BENCH EVERY MORNING AND TOM WOULD PASS BY AND YELL TO ME….ARE YOU WINNING…I ALWAYS SAID YES…AND REPLIED THATS GOOD!!! HE WAS AN INCREDIBLE MAN, TEACHER, AND MENTOR. I WILL NEVER FORGET HIM. JUDY RACICOT

Tom and i were colleagues for four years at NC-KL campus. Thank you Tom for your support and generosity. My sinceres condoleances to Tom’s family.

Just heard of Tom’s death today July 19, 2015. We knew him well as my husband taught at Northern College with him from 1967 to 1974. He also was our daughter’s God father by proxy as he always said!! He came to visit us in the Rawdon Hills ca. 1975. Unfortunately that was the last time we saw Tom. We kept in touch off and on but lost contact in the last few years. We are very sorry to hear of Tom’s death. May he rest in God’s peace and rise with him in glory. With our prayers June and Charles Nixon+. (We live in Vancouver, BC. It seems to me that his twin sister lived out here somewhere.) Our address is 999 Gilford Street, Vancouver, BC, V6G2N8

When working with Tom to bring the NWHL to Kirkland Lake, we were told that the players ate oranges between periods. Tom being the detailed-oriented and meticulous person that he is called me and asked if the oranges should be cut in 2 or 4 slices. I told him that it doesn’t matter. He said that it mattered and that we should call Lindsay to confirm. I called Lindsay to ask her and she thought I was joking. She said either way would be fine. I told Tom to roll the oranges under the door and the players can figure it out. As you can see, Tom was very big on presentation. This is a skill that he had that helped make all the events he took part in so successful. He will be missed! Miles Vine

A bit surprised it seems to simple and yet uesful.

Hey, you’re the goto expert. Thanks for hanngig out here.

Uncle Tom was the pillar of the community. I was saddened to see his passing. My father could always count on Tom to do his taxes for him. Growing up playing hockey in K.L for A.C.T. Pee Wee and midgets I have grown to know Tom . Being a goaltender he had lent me a whole set of equipment to play and every year I would tell him “yes Tom I will eventually buy my equipment” but never did. I will be eternally grateful for this. I can remember the Grey Cup pool of tickets we where trying to sell every year and the scores on these tickets where lob sided for the winning team like 40 to 6 for west or east. I could go on and on with stories of Tom as we all know Uncle Tom. If there is a hall of fame in heaven Tom would be in it. Thank you for the memories!

Tom, will never be forgotten…..we will miss his sense of humour and his presence around the arena and the talks I used to have with him when he stopped by the girls’ “BLAST” room on Tuesday nights or when he needed his labels done for his Rec league teams, he would stop by my office with his lists…..there will never be another “Uncle Tom”.. Our condolences to Tom’s family.

Our condolences to Tom’s family and his many, many friends. Tom was an icon to Kirkland Lake and will be missed dearly by all who knew him. We will always appreciate his dedication to sports — first as kids growing up, and now as adults. Tom could always be depended on to be there as a volunteer for the various hockey tournaments held at the KL Complex as the Offical Master of Ceremonies and, of course, 50/50. Thank you Tom for all your guidance and generosity — may you rest in peace. Bob and Shannon Galarneau

My condolence to the family. Uncle Tom was a great person of this community. He will be sadly missed at sporting functions. Thanks for everything you’ve done Tom and RIP.

A sad, sad day for sports in the north, and for KL as a community. Your organizational abilities and spirit will be sorely missed, and a 50/50 draw just isn’t the same without you Tom. RIP.

On behalf of Extendacare Kirkland Lake Family Advisory Board I would like to send our condolences to Tom’s family. We are sad to hear of Tom’s passing, he always had a friendly smile and a helping hand in all we did. He will be missed by all who knew him. Linda McGugan

My condolences to the McCelland family. Tom was a special man in his own special way. He was the ultimate Huskies fan. He will be missed by many. Thank you Tom for all the good things you did. Rest in peace my friend.

A wonderful volunteer who I had the pleasure of working with on numerous occasions at the arena . Nobody likes to take credit for the countless hours they put in donating their time , but this fine Town of Kirkland Lake shall be forever in debt of your services !

In life few men pass through the world who are universally known by only one name and Tom was certainly one of those . A man who’s tireless dedication to the town of Kirkland Lake , it’s children , it’s sports and it’s people will never be forgotten nor his place filled . Your like will not pass here again for an eternity of lifetimes , my neighbor , my friend . Rest now for a while before you set about showing those you’ve joined how to do it the “right way” . My condolences to the family .

Tom was a great volunteer. I worked with Tom for many years in Minor hockey when he was the NOHA Council Director for District 4. He has helped me out many times since I have been an NOHA Council Director with NOHA tournaments in K.L. I will sorely miss him. The arena in K.L. will never be the same. Sorry I will not be able to attend the memorial on Sat. RIP — Mr. 50/50 man.

To many of you in KL, he was “Uncle Tom”. But to me he will always be my slightly younger brother, Tommy. He got all the athletic DNA in the family. A real character, funny & caring. Helping others was also part of his DNA. Via con Dios, Tommy….brother Bob.

Tom was a wonderful man. I delivered his newspaper when I was a child and many times did he find me crying in his snowbank with cold frozen feet. He would bring me in to warm up and gave me hockey socks to wear in the cold Kirkland Lake winters. He will be missed.

Very saddened by the passing of Tom. He made Kirkland Lake a special place to grow up in when I was a youth and adult involved in many sporting activities. His dedication, kindness,generosity and friendship is something I will cherish. Thank you Tom for all the memories, I will miss you sorely.Heaven is a much better place to be now ,God bless this special soul.

Very sorry to hear about Toms passing… A true Kirkland Laker and supporter of so many things we have enjoyed through the years… Everyone has a story to tell and they are all said with such passion… In the way Tom was so passionate about everything he endevoured in…Will surely be missed..

May you rest in peace Tom for you are truly a remarkable gentleman for which I have been associated with for forty years. Thank you for your kind and unselfish deeds and the countless number of volunteer hours.

I knew Tom from working at the independent store in KL. Tom would come in almost every day and say hi there health and beauty girl how are you!! we would chat for a few minutes and have a laugh or two. Tom always left me smiling!! Kirkland Lake has lost a fine gentleman. my heart goes out to his family.

Uncle Tom was an untiring sports crusader in Kirkland Lake who deserves to be inducted into our Hockey Heritage Hall of Fame. Condolences to his family.

R.I.p. Tom. you will be missed

I had the honour and privilege to know Tom from my teenage years as a mentor when I was a very green hockey official and also as a neighbour on Poplar Avenue. In the early 70’s, Tom offered me an opportunity to attend the Kingston Hockey School in return for helping to oversee some of the younger attendees at the week long camp. For someone who hadn’t been away from home on his own on many occasions, it was a wonderful experience which also helped me tremendously in improving my own skills as a minor hockey player but most of all to gain a lot of confidence. Over the years, we would often meet at the annual slowpitch tournament he was involved with or on the street and he always took the time to say hello. He was always on the go, and seemed to be ready, willing and more than eager to lend a hand with events which supported events beneficial to young people. I will always remember his kindness all those years ago and the many memories arising from our meetings over the years. There is a good reason he was know as “Uncle Tom” as he always seemed to have young peoples’ interests at heart. My sincerest condolences to all those who are grieving his loss. Thanks Tom.

TOM you were,are,and always will be MR. HOCKEY in Kirkland Lake. I was lucky enough to work with TOM on the ACT hockey tournaments. I will always remember the famous line when TOM was coaching “FRESH TROOPS”. Thanks for all the memories;Kirkland Lakers will miss your 50/50 calls.

Tom will be missed not only by hockey people in Kirkland Lake, but throughout the hockey area of Northern Ontario.His involvement and work in the International Hockey picture locally, will always be remembered. Missed but not forgotten.

To all of Tom’s family, friends and extended family: It is with sadness today that I came across the news story and the announcement of Tom’s passing. It had been a while since I last saw Tom, but remember him well from my days at Northern College, fastball tourneys, hockey etc, where Tom was always a great presence. As was mentioned, Tom was definitely a community fixture and will be greatly missed….they don’t make them like Tom anymore. May God Bless, Wayne

I’ll remember Tom as the relentless coordinator of the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program. Many, many Kirkland Lakers were able to have the assistance of Tom and his yearly crew of volunteer income tax intakers and preparers. The charitable community will miss Tom’s immense generosity. Rest easy Tom, no more T1013s or 2201s!