It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Predeceased by all of his siblings, daughter Rita (Trevor) Johnston, and son-in-law Graham (Dianne) Allen.
He leaves behind his wife Ruby of 64 years; his children Dianne Allen, Gayle (Bill) Montgomery and Robert (Peggy) Maikawa; grandchildren Glenn (Tina) Allen, Kiomi (Matthew) Davis, Erik (Sara) Johnston, Kiel Johnston, Robbie Montgomery and Michael Montgomery; and great-grandchildren Myles, Shelby, Gage, Tessa and Serena.
Tom was a wonderful husband who brought his wife and family to the Coast in 1956. He worked at and later purchased the Chevron station at the corner of Wharf and Highway 101 as a partnership with his brother Butch and two others. He spent until 1984 monkey-wrenching for all the Coast, then tinkered for his family and friends.
He was a proud fireman and was awarded honourary status from the Sechelt Fire Department. He loved “The Boys.”
His love of fishing was incredible. It was so contagious back in the day. All the men rushed home from work, loaded their prams and headed for the waters off Davis Bay, Porpoise Bay or Sargeants Bay to try for their limit.
Tom was a great joker and prankster all his life. He was a great fisherman, but really … putting your pram in the huge puddle at the corner of Wharf Road and Highway 101 during the heavy rains and bringing out the fishing rod was not really being a smart fisherman – good for a photo op, though!
A Celebration of Life for Tom will be on November 9 at 3:00 p.m. at St. Hilda’s Anglican Church, with the Rev. Clarence Li and Rev. T. Aoki officiating.