VANSTONE, THOMAS - Thomas Sterling Vanstone of Grande Prairie, Alberta, born and raised in Fredericton, NB, warrior with cancer, laid down his sword, and went to collect his reward on September 7th, 2014 with his family at his side at the age of 53. Tom attended school in the Fredericton area and graduated from Fredericton High School in 1978. He was an avid hockey player, where hockey mom Jean spent many hours cheering him on, and rugby player. “Flint” was well loved by his many friends and cousins growing up on the street, where they played outside for all hours and then invaded the refrigerators of all the Wellington Court parents for years to come. One would never guess this choir boy would ever leave the land he loved. However, Tom moved to Alberta in 1979 seeking a future in the oil field where he shortly found work and stayed with one company for 30 years until he became ill. From the Sales on through to Management Tom “chased rigs” built relationships, trained staff and forged lifelong friendships with his wit, determination and genuine love of the work. He was dubbed “little grey” at the rigs as a welcome and dependable sight at all times of the day, he was dubbed “Sod blocker” and “Sowdy” by his closest of friends because of his golfing prowess (scratch golfer). In those days he was also known to expand his choir skills onto the stage with the Poverty Plainsmen whom he vowed to be their tour bus driver. He even managed to make artists like Dwayne Steele, Charlie Major and Steve Fox burst into laughter as the “Plainsmen” treated “Tommy” like family and introduced him to their music friends. The turkey Chili was always on during game days…hockey…football…baseball…Nascar. Florence became convinced the TV was stuck on certain channels. Tom decided it was time to “settle down” and build a family. In true Tom fashion however he wasted no time when he spied Florence Stewart and her children Kyle, Warner and Kelsie. Perhaps it was the instant spark but it was probably Florence’s fluke 200 yard straight shot to his heart on the first hole of an Oilman’s Best Ball Tourney (cupid’s wood) that sealed the couple’s fate, but they married in 1998 and just celebrated 20 years together. Reminiscing on his life at this time, his kids have this to say: “I am who I am today because of him…I love my family, I love what I do, I love the things that he taught me to outdoors… I would have never got to do that if he hadn’t been there…we work hard because we witnessed him work so hard but he was also generous with his time and he taught us to enjoy life too…his collections – his interests…always became his passions and he passed that on. With his advice he gave me confidence to get out there and go after what I want…he always encouraged us to pursue what we really love to do no matter what others thought about it, he always believed in us…he took us to places and we did things we could have never imagined we’d do/go ..he gave us so much and even though he was a man of few words he had this way of thinking something through and then just coming out with one short simple statement that just summed it all up, through life’s ups and down’s (being a teenager of course) we will always share a bond that cannot be broken and we understood him for exactly who is was and he will forever be loved because of that”. “I only hope to be half the dad..he didn’t have to be.”- Brad Paisley Immensely proud of his kids he was gifted with Grandsons Chance Thomas and Kace Bryson (Kyle and Haley) and it was here we watched him marvel at the sheer vulnerability of a child, the absolute purity of their joy and the unconditional love that rocks a parent’s soul. It brought him to a new and even deeper love for his entire family and returned the huge belly laughs in a time of great struggle. He was determined to make them sports fans too. Hockey memorabilia sales (esp. Oilers) will drop now, as will the Stamps and the Blue days. Tony Stewart better not change his number again and too bad Mark McGwire’s plates are such a rarity – but this all brought him so much joy so the sports room will remain as it is..now sharing space with the grandbabies toys. Tom’s spirit will be missed forever by his loving wife Florence; children; Kyle (Haley) Jerome, Warner Jerome and Kelsie Vanstone; grandchildren Chance and Kace; mother, Jean Vanstone; sisters Theresa (Blaine) Hawkins and Elaine Dunphy, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and many dear, close, beautiful friends. He was predeceased by his father Thomas William Vanstone (Papa Tom), and brother, David Herbert Vanstone (uncle Tucan) as well as his grandparents on both sides. Tom’s dry sense of humor, his humility, loyalty, commitment and perseverance will live on in us all and we will miss him immensely as we journey onward. We are so grateful for his life and in knowing that he is at peace, out of pain and looking down upon us but is back doing the things he loved up there in heaven. Tom’s cousins, Travis and Debbie Parent have dedicated their lives to repairing families torn apart by life’s difficulties in Caron Saskatchewan. They work with children to keep them safe and re-establish love and security and rehabilitate families with each other until they can reunite. Forevermore, those families can return to “Shepherds Gate” when grounds get shaky, to receive support and guidance. Their moto is “Building Strong Families; Strong Futures.” It is entirely fundraised. Please donate to this Charity near and dear to our family’s heart, in turn helping the world. “Shepherd’s Gate Ministries” www.shepherdsgate.ca where you can donate directly if you choose.
Services: Memorial Viewing: Bear Creek Funeral Home, Thursday, September 11, 2014, 7 to 9 where you may sit with him privately; Celebration of Life Service: Christ Church Anglican, 6610 Poplar Drive, Grande Prairie Alberta, Saturday, September 13, 2014, 2 PM, Reception to follow in the Church basement; Celebration of Life Service: Fredericton, Interment and details to be determined at a later date. “Love…that’s all you have to do…really, the rest falls into place.” Care and arrangements entrusted to Bear Creek Funeral Home Grande Prairie 780-830-7742 www.bearcreekfuneral.com