Tom's Tree

Last Thursday (July 7th) was Tom's birthday. He would have been 51. But he passed away earlier this year after a trip to Jamaica. His partner, Florianne, gathered a group of us together to celebrate his life. We met at Brass Taps, a bar on the Danforth just east of Logan.

I got there at about 10:00. Most people had arrived by then. I think there were 20-25 of us scattered around the back section of the place. After greeting Florianne, I sat with Carrol, Cynthia and her partner, Jeff. I also saw Larry and Maria and Tom's brother, William, among others.

Florianne made the rounds showing us some videos people had taken of Tom over the years. He was always cheerful and clowning around. We watched one where he was singing Meatloaf while dressed in a funny wig at a Halloween party. It was a good time to reminisce.

At midnight those of us who were still left made their way to Riverdale Park. Since I took the subway down, Larry gave me a lift. Some of them had a plan which neither of us knew about beforehand.

When we arrived we walked down the slope to a tree part way down the hill. William, with shovel in hand, dug a hole. There was a police officer at the top of the hill (along Broadview Avenue), but he was occupied with some others. Still, I was feeling a bit nervous, all of us huddle around that tree in the dark.

After digging a sufficiently deep hole we got a bag out and poured some of its contents in. Tom would give this tree life and forever look out over the city he so dearly loved.

Tom's Funeral

I attended Tom's funeral on Tuesday. He was loved by so many. The room at the funeral home was packed. All the seats were filled and around 50 people had to stand at the back.

Tom was such a kind and generous person. He helped not only his friends and family, but friends of friends and complete strangers as well. One of his high school friends, Larry, spoke of a time when his mother had fallen down the stairs at her home. Tom asked if she had a railing there and Larry said, no. The next day Tom showed up at her home with a railing and installed it for her. That’s the kind of guy he was. So caring.

Larry also spoke of the time he and Tom had been driving out of out town and had been involved in a serious car accident where their car was totalled. The occupants of the other car were badly hurt, but they emerged relatively unscathed. One of their other friends, Maria, came to pick them up and drive them back to Toronto. By the time they got back into town it was around 2:30 a.m.. When Tom found out Maria had to be at the airport at 5:00 a.m. that same morning he drove her there even though he had just been involved in a bad crash and was probably still shaken. For his friends, he would do just about anything.

It’s sad that such a wonderful person was taken so early. He affected everyone he met in a positive way. That’s something we can cherish.

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The guys at hockey signed a card for Florianne.

Florianne, I’m so sorry for your loss. We were all touched by Tom’s presence and , now, are terribly saddened by his passing. He will be missed. ~ Jeff Louie

It was so sad to hear of Tom’s passing and I can’t imagine your pain, but I hope that our support and prayers and knowledge of Tom’s friendship with all of us will help you through these dark times. ~ Bruce Rosenberg

Tom was a great friend & teammate. I am sorry for your loss. He will be missed. Take care & our prayers are with you. ~ Godfrey (Leung)

Condolences. ~ Andrew Pawlak

I only met Tom a few years ago playing Friday Night Hockey with him. I always remember his “big smile” while skating by the bench. He will be greatly missed. My sincere condolences. ~ Peter Stahl

I was so shocked to hear of Tom’s passing. My deepest condolences for your loss. He was a great guy and will be greatly missed. ~ Richard Cheung

Sorry to hear such sad news. Our thoughts and prayers will be there for you and your families. ~ Tim Chow, Donald Chow

A solid guy who will be sorely missed! Sincere condolences! ~ Jim Lyons

Very sad to hear of our hockey friend’s passing. We will truly miss you. My thoughts and prayers are with Tom’s family. ~ Gord Wong

So sorry to hear such sad news. Tom was a great guy and he will surely be missed. ~ Jan (Chan)

We all remember Tom and his warm, friendly smile. We will truly miss Tom. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. ~ William (Leung)

Our deepest sympathies and prayers to you. May God bring you comfort for your family. ~ Charles Snelgrove

Flo, I’m still in shock. Tom & I have played so much hockey for so long. It will never be the same. Take care ~ Larry (Hum)

Tom was a great competitor although we just met a few months ago. He was a nice guy to be around. God bless his soul. ~ Phillip Sofianos

I didn’t know Tom for very long, but I knew that he was a great guy. And I know that he was gone too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. ~ Dror Golan

We enjoyed playing with Tom. A great competitor and gentleman. God bless. ~ Harry (Mark)

Tom, he was a great friend and teammate. You’ll be sorely missed. ~ Tom Loo

It’s so sad to hear of Tom’s passing. He was always so nice and gave me a lot of tips on renos. You’ll be missed. ~ Wai Chong

I’m still in disbelief. Tom and I usually sat next to each other in the dressing room and I already miss him badly. ~ Wesley Mark

Tom Chan, 1965-2016

Tom and Florianne, 2011

I received terrible, terrible news late Wednesday night. An e-mail from one of the guys from our Friday Night Hockey group, Larry Hum, told us another friend, Tom Chan, had suddenly passed away.

Tom had just returned from a week long trip to Jamaica at the end of January. He was supposed to return to hockey on Friday, February 12th, but e-mailed me Thursday evening saying he was too sick to play this week. What I didn't know at the time was that he had been admitted to Mt. Sinai Hospital that same day.

Less than a week later (on Wednesday, February 17th) we were informed of his passing. I believe it was very sudden and very unexpected. Because earlier that same day Tom asked Florianne to e-mail me saying he's out for hockey this week. Just over six hours later we were told of his death.

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I met Tom through ice hockey. I'm not exactly sure when, but it was quite a few years ago. I don't even know exactly who in the group he knew. So many guys have come and gone over the two and a half decades we've played. All I know was that he was a really good guy.

Over the years he's invited me to his home where he and Florianne would host many lovely dinner parties. There would be ones for Christmas or Chinese New Years or one of many other special occasions. Tom was a great chef. He'd always prepare a number of wonderful dishes.

He was also a world traveler. Before his trip to Jamaica he was in Iceland late last year. And in prior years he traveled to Mexico, Asia and Europe with all Florianne and other friends. I'd always enjoy looking through his photos on Facebook.

For work he renovated old homes. I didn't know too much about this side of him. Though he had me photograph one project he completed, a semi on Baldwin, just east of Spadina. It was really amazing. Such a beautiful place. He really was a multi-faceted, multi-talented guy.

Taken far too young, he will be missed. Good-bye, my friend.