TOM BALSON We sadly announce the passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Tom Balson on June 25, 2007. Tom is survived by his loving wife Mary, two daughters; Agnes Baker (Brent), Sheila Bermiller (Jason) and three sons; Doug (Shelley), Mark (Sandy), Stu (Marie); twelve grandchildren; Kyle & Kelsie (Agnes), Riley & Brock (Mark), Katherine & Benjamin (Sheila), Nick & Thomas (Stu), Gareth, Raine, Leith & Lucas (Doug). Also survived by brothers Harold and Bill and sisters Agnes, Margaret, Cathy and Evelyn all residing in Scotland, and his special nephew Brian Balson (Tandy) and their children Andrea (Luke) & Chris (Jackie) from Alberta. Tom was born on January 13, 1929 in St. Boswell, Scotland where he grew up. He had a great passion for rugby and played three seasons for Melrose. At a hospital dance in 1951, he met Mary, the love of his life. They were married on June 2, 1956 and traveled by ship to Canada to start their new life together. Tom worked at various jobs in Toronto until he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1959. He was posted to North Bay where he worked underground in the NORAD centre for 5 years then transferred to an isolation base in Chibougamou, Quebec for 2 years prior to his final transfer to Mt. Lolo in Kamloops in 1967. He was discharged from the forces in 1973 and having completed a 5 year plumbing apprenticeship, Tom secured employment with the City of Kamloops as a Plumbing Inspector. He very quickly involved himself with CUPE Local 900 as a passionate advocate for worker's rights. Tom also successfully campaigned for a position as a school trustee in school district 24. Following his tern with the board he turned his attention to the Child Development Centre. He worked with the city until his retirement in 1994 when the union awarded him with an honorary lifetime membership. Tom & Mary spent most of their retirement RVing. He loved to drive his V10 Dodge and the 5th wheel to Arizona and Southern California where he and Mary made many good friends and lasting memories. The Balson children were involved in many sports and Tom supported them all. From putting up tarps and building starting blocks for the swim club to traveling through Canada and the US to see his kids play anything from basketball or volleyball to rugby and football, Tom worked hard to see his children succeed. Tom had a very special place in his heart for his grandchildren and was extremely proud of each one. He went out of his way to make each one feel special and raved about them to friends and family. All this and he still found time to completely renovate the family home on West Battle, tour his Scottish relatives around the province he was so proud of and, once retired, learn to use a computer to read Scottish newspapers, listen to Scottish radio and write to his Scottish relatives. You had to get to know Tom to really understand what an amazing man he was. He had strong values, a giving spirit and a kind heart. He stood for what was right and spoke out for those who could not speak for themselves. Our sincere thanks to Dr. Chip Bantock and the staff of Kamloops Hospice for the care and compassion extended to Tom and our family. You are invited to join the family for a tribute to Tom at the Desert Gardens on Thursday, July 12, 2007 at 2:30 p.m. Online condolences, thoughts and stories may be shared at: http://tambalson.googlepages.com/ In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Tom to the TRU Foundation, Tom Balson Memorial Fund would be appreciated. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to Justin Clark of Personal Alternative Funeral Services. 554-2324.