Tom passed away in Victoria BC on September 3, 2014.  He was 82 years old.  Tom was born on July 19, 1932 in Apollo Pennsylvania to Thomas and Louise Shaffer.  He was raised in western Pennsylvania with his younger sister, Joyce.  He married Ann Irwin in 1954.  After serving in the US military as a member of the peacekeeping force in Germany, Tom and Ann raised their three young children in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Connecticut, eventually making a move to Mississauga, Ontario in 1968, where they lived until 2003.  In retirement, the west coast’s mild climate beckoned and Tom and Ann made the move to Victoria.

In his professional life, Tom was a self-employed mining industry consultant with a specialization in Zinc.  Prior to venturing out on his own, Tom spearheaded the establishment of the Canadian office of the New York City-based Zinc Institute.  Tom was active in the church and enjoyed his many years as a member and Commodore of the Mimico Cruising Club in Toronto.  Tom was passionate about singing and he thoroughly enjoyed many years of performing with the Toronto Mendelsohn Choir.

Tom lost his wife Ann in February 2014.  He is survived by his sister Joyce (Ken) and three children – Fred (Susan), Martha (Dan) and Amy (Scott) and six grandchildren; Carolyn, Erin, Nick, Megan, Cameron and Lauren.

Tom will be fondly remembered as a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.  With broken hearts we wish Tom well in what he called his ‘next adventure’.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 680 Courtenay Street (corner of Douglas Street) in Victoria BC.  Reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir or St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church or a charity of your choice in Tom’s memory.  Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Bros. Funeral Home

www.mccallbros.com

  • Peg Victory

    My heart is heavy for your loss. Please accept my condolences for the Father, Grandfather, Brother and friend who went to his Heavenly reward. He will be re-united with his beloved Ann, whom he missed so very much.
    I will miss his wit and humor, his friendship and never ending positivity. Tom was loved and respected by many.

    You all will be in my prayers as you celebrate his life. Family was everything to Tom.

  • Julie & Bill

    So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, we met him on line in a discussion group. Such a knowledgeable man of many subjects. He seemed like a very devoted husband & Father.
    God Bless

  • Julie & Bill

    My husband & I met Tom on line through a discussion group. He was a very knowledgable man. Tom loved his family and was very proud of them. He missed his wife terribly.
    God Bless

  • Anne Mullens

    I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s death. I sang with Tom in the Victoria Philharmonic Choir. His wonderful bass was always such an anchor to our sound, and his love of singing and of making music so inspiring to all of us.
    I also so distinctly remember when we were considering forming the VPC, breaking away from another choir, we had a meeting about whether or not it was possible or wise to do. Tom was the voice of reason and experience. He gave advice on how the Toronto Mendelssohn choir had been run, and on the difficulties we would face. But when he said he would join us I knew that if a singer of the caliber of Tom was willing to join us and that he felt it was worth risking, that the new choir was going to be fine.
    Then over the years both Tom and Ann were huge supporters of the choir. I was very sad when he no longer felt physically up to the demands of rehearsals and performances, but we kept in touch regularly via Facebook.
    My deepest condolences to the family. He was a wonderful man, and while I never saw other parts of his life, I have absolutely no doubt he was a wonderful father, too.

  • Nancy Jane Porter (Pelletterio)

    I can’t tell you how sorry I am for all of you, losing your Dad and Mom in such a short time. So heartbreaking. I have fond memories from our younger years in Mississauga. My thoughts and prayers are with you. With love and sympathy, Nan

  • Deb Bash (neice), Scottsdale, AZ

    To my cousins–Fred, Martha, and Amy:

    My heart and love go out to you in your time of grief. I can’t imagine how hard it is to lose your mother and father in such a short time. Although I won’t be there in person for the service this Saturday, please know that I am thinking of you and love you all very much. You dad was a great uncle (and you mom a wonderful aunt!!). I’m happy they are together again, in peace.

    Your dad answered a question for me before he died. My mom will read it at the funeral. His answer makes me smile!

    Love to you all,
    Deb

  • Jennie & Scott Stemm

    Fred, Susan, Martha, Dan, Amy and Scott,

    We were so sad to hear of Uncle Tom’s death last week. We know it has been a struggle over the past few years and with Aunt Ann’s death earlier this year, it must have only been harder.

    The memories we have of Uncle Tom and our family vacations over the years (camping, canoeing and sailing) will remain with me forever. Your parents have always been loving and generous to all of us and I know they loved you and your children so very much.

    Please know that our family will continue to pray for all of you and wish you healing and strength in the days and months ahead. May Uncle Tom and Aunt Ann find peace as they are once again together.

    Much love,

    Jennie & Scott Stemm
    David, Jessica, Dan, Becky, Sarah & Katie
    Connor & Owen

  • Ronald,Mary Belle Holt

    Please accept our sympathy from the Holt Family.

  • Cathy and Jim Polinchok, State College, PA

    To my Cousins Fred, Martha and Amy,
    I am so very sorry for your loss. Uncle Tom was such a wonderful man and I have so many memories of our visits together. He was so lucky to have seen each of you grown into the wonderful people and parents that you have become. Both he and Aunt Ann were lucky to be so close to each of you and your children.

    Please know that you have been, and will continue to be, in my thoughts and prayers. I am happy he will be with Aunt Ann once again and be with our Lord and Savior.

    Cherish each and every memory, every single day.
    Our Love,
    Cathy and Jim

  • Pat Irwin (representing the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir)

    The most sincere condolences from Tom’s many, many friends at the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, where he and Ann are remembered with such great affection. There are so many memories of Tom; on tour, as our President, at the Silver Rail….always smiling, supportive and so much fun.

    We are deeply grateful that he included us for memorial contributions.

    Fondly remembered by us all.

    Sincerely, Pat Irwin / The Toronto Mendelssohn Choir

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