Tom was known to enjoy his gaming. At the time I was still living in the San Diego area. Tom and I took an unplanned trip to Las Vegas to enjoy some card playing and machines. I had a vehicle that would get home on less than $20, in fact that would allow for a hamburger each and a pack of cigarettes, so I stuck a $20 bill in the glove box for the ride home and we went in to play. Later that day, when it was time to come home, Tom was down to his last three silver dollars and as we were exiting the casino he saw the giant slot machine there and asked if he should play all three, or just put in one. I told him all three as we had that $20 in the glove box to get home on. Being the somewhat practical man he was, and not wanting to be without at least the price of a sandwich on the way home, he decided against my advice and only played one of his dollars. Sure as can be, he hit a jackpot, three 7's as I recall, and won 3 dollars back or something similar. We laughed like hell as if he'd have put his three silver dollars in he would have left there with $100 in his pocket. And now, with the 2 dollars of winning added, we had a total of $25 to get home on. Tom liked paying his way and was glad to chip in for the gas on the way home, and we probably did something like get fries with our burgers too.

There are more tales, but I remember that one well.

Melanie, Christine, Dave, and Virginia.

My sincerest heartfelt sympathies and condolences to all of you.

As you may know, Tom was one of my dearest and oldest friends, going back to when my family first moved to Brookside and we started going to St John's in 1963. He helped me in so many ways over the many years we've been friends. I made it a point to see him as often as I could when my travels brought me back to the San Diego area, the last time was in 2022 when I had the pleasure of sharing an afternoon with him at our St John's reunion. I will remember that last time with him, and meeting his beloved furry companion Max, with fondness.  I have kept the pictures of that day on my phone and will continue to do so.

It is with so much sadness that I say goodbye to one of my three closest, best friends from the early days of my life. 

Again, my condolences to all of you,

Geno