Tom was born and raised in Gilroy as part of the fourth generation of the Driscoll's farming family. Although he wore many hats over his many years, his business card read simply, "Tom Driscoll, Farmer."

His story is best told in the words of his family and friends.

Miles Reiter, Tom's Cousin and Current Chairman of the Driscoll’s Board

"When I joined the business, Tom really supported me by listening to my ideas and encouraging me to take leadership. Even when something we tried didn't work out, he believed in me, and this helped me to believe in myself.

"We were intellectual sparring partners in a very positive way, really inviting each other to keep questioning our ideas and to think more deeply about almost everything. Our time together was almost invariably inspirational. We deeply trusted and learned from each other.

"Tom was ahead of his time in using organic practices in his farming. He brought in experts who helped us understand the importance of treating soil as a living organism. Although this didn't really take off at the time, his ideas were durable and helped lead to Driscoll’s' fully embracing organics two decades later with great success.

"Tom loved taking on other business challenges as well. When Japanese cars were seen in the US as being of poor quality, he ran the first Toyota dealership in LA, and became one of the largest importers of foreign cars at that time. When the organizers of the Miami Pop Festival in December 1968 ran into financial trouble, he provided the backing they needed for the first large "big band" rock festival on the East Coast, which was the predecessor of Woodstock the following year, and turned it into a profitable venture.

"Even when he was away doing other things, even after he retired, Tom stayed on the Driscoll's board and stayed connected. He had an almost uncanny sense of knowing when something was really important and would show up at just the right moment.

"He had a talent for getting to the heart - the essence - of a matter very quickly, bringing us back to our goals of providing berries that people love to eat in ways that that are good for them, for the earth, for our employees, and for our communities.

"One of Tom's biggest contributions was in connecting us with the best people to help our company to move forward and make changes, including redefining our mission to better fit the values we wanted to uphold and creating a unique philanthropy program that truly supports our employees in creating their own philanthropic programs.

"At many times, Tom was the spiritual leader and voice of conscience for our company. Both in our business and in our personal lives, Tom truly helped us remember who we really are."

Joshua Nicholson, Tom's Nephew and a Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Doctor

“Tom had a way of moving in the world that opened people to opportunities they otherwise would not have had. He was a generous and loving person who wanted to make things better for the people he cared about. He had a gift of seeing people for who they really are -and for helping them to see this for themselves.

"Tom and his wife, my aunt Nancy, were incredibly connected, they worked together to make an amazing life. When I was 12 years old, Nancy let Tom know that she saw something special in me and encouraged Tom to take me under his wing. Tom offered me a life changing opportunity to work together and to make my life what I wanted it to be.

 
"With Tom’s guidance and support, the path of my life changed. He gave me opportunities to try things out, to practice, to fail, and to learn, challenging me to make my life better. He and Nancy sponsored me to explore the world and ultimately to discover my calling as a doctor. 

 “Tom had a gift and deep appreciation for storytelling. He had an inviting way of shepherding ideas and people to new realizations. I suspect that this started early for Tom. When he was a boy in the 1940s,  he loved going to the movies and eating popcorn on the weekends with his friends. He told me that they would stay at the theater and watch movie after movie.

“And even at that young age, he was generous. He would help pay for his friends who couldn’t afford to go. When I complemented him on his generosity, he looked at me and smiled with his mischievous smile and said, ‘I wasn’t doing it to be nice, I was doing it so that my friends and I could keep talking about the stories we saw together.’

“Tom was definitely mischievous. In the early 1970s, he met Nancy when she was working for EST and wanted to get to know her better. He found out that she was a runner, which he was definitely not. Once a week, he would go to sit on a bench near the end of her run and spray himself with water from a water bottle so it would look as if he was sweating from his own run. He would then greet Nancy as she came by, and she would pause. and they would chat awhile. 

"Pretty quickly, Nancy got suspicious and told him, 'I know you are not running, so what ARE you doing?' Tom said simply 'I just wanted to be with you.' 

"Although, like any couple, they had their ups and downs, but they were the love of each other's lives. Nancy was a huge inspiration for Tom. He would just light up when he was with her. When he retired, they made a beautiful home together in Mt. Shasta. 

"When Nancy found out that she had a cancer that was almost certain to kill her, she told Tom, ‘We will find the silver lining and live in it.’ With her incredible determination and his incredible support, they were able to have many joyful times before she passed - and he spent the rest of his life staying deeply committed to honoring her spirit. 

"Like so many other people, it is because of Tom's love, perceptiveness, and generosity that I am able to do what I am today.

"I love you, Bro, and miss you deeply!"


Manuel Mercado, Tom’s Business Colleague and Manager of the River Valley Company

"I first came to work for Tom in 1987, harvesting strawberries. He became like my second father, giving me wise advice and supporting my family during times of personal challenges. He helped me to grow up professionally.

"He was a guide for me and for many people in making our dreams come true. He was a perfectionist in the best sense of the word - saying the perfect things to encourage and empower you.

"Tom was a good, good farmer who really cared about his harvesters and our families. He wanted so much to connect with us personally that he tried to learn Spanish. He did manage to learn a few words, and we all loved it that he tried. 
"He and his wife Nancy were like two people sharing one big, big heart. They really supported our Watsonville and Salinas Valley communities in so many ways. I am proud that our company helps to support Dominican Hospital's mobile health clinic for farmworkers, a soccer club for girls, an anti-bullying Taekwondo program for kids, and the afterschool and other programs run by Girls Inc.

"I really have not enough words in any language to describe how much Tom means to me. I was honored to be with him when he took his last breath. His passing has left a huge, huge hole in my own soul. In his honor, I will support others in the countless ways that I learned from Tom."


Tyler Armbrister, Tom's Grandson

"Gramps is the single most impactful person I know. The first step of potential is having someone see it. With endless wisdom, Tom helped illuminate the things I did not see for myself. He maintained his promise always to stand with me on the horizon.

"Gramps’ mischievous grin and wit was legendary. I loved going to visit him at Singing Rock Ranch. We would always barbeque ribeyes and laugh all night. I learned so much about life and how to move in the world from our walks around the ranch and exploring the unknown together.

"When I initially wanted to learn to become a chef, he told me, 'There's also this berry thing you might want to check out.' He didn't push it; he just planted the seed. I will be forever grateful for that gentle suggestion.

"Gramps then sent me to Central Mexico with a one-way ticket, saying, 'Don't come back until you can speak some Spanish!' 

“Once home, I had the privilege of working under Manuel Mercado. As the seasons progressed and I began harvesting strawberries, I had a deep awakening that it was time to focus on my academics. Gramps loved teasing me by saying, 'That was very convenient timing for such a profound realization!' 

"While I learned a lot in college, I realized that the other students did not have the practical experience of farming that Tom and Manuel had given me. I talked the Dean into letting me design and teach a class without lectures or papers. Instead, we made each student responsible for a small plot of land with the assignment of planting, growing, and preparing a crop to feed those in need. We arranged for the food to be donated to local farmworker families and students in need. The class is still running strong years later. 

"I am deeply committed to continuing my grandfather's legacy and being the change you wish to see in the world. When one of my mentees struggled, I often relied on my many lessons from Gramps. My mentee later told me, ‘I feel like I know Tom. I can't believe my life has been impacted so deeply by someone I've never met!' Tom's reach and impact on those around him was always something I deeply admired, and I look forward to continuing his mission to make the world a better place.”

Chris Carpenter, Tom's Property Manager

"Tom was a remarkable man, inquisitive, visionary, and imaginative. We made a great team, and I loved working with him to carry out his and Nancy's dreams for their beautiful property, Singing Rock Ranch. We would spend countless hours talking things through, exploring all possibilities.

"Nancy never left his mind for a moment, and I will never forget the joy in his face as he walked through the forest, seeing Nancy's dreams for their land becoming reality.

“Tom himself loved to dream big - and he appreciated the balance of my practical, more sober approach to getting things done. He took great pride in protecting the environment and in making our infrastructure sustainable. He insisted on excellence and integrity in every detail of everything we did. He wanted everyone working for us to be cared for, respected, and paid well.

"When I had a concern, Tom would listen and trust my judgement. He gave me free rein to hire the best people and to make decisions about repairing and maintaining our buildings and grounds in best possible highest quality ways.

"Tom was a master at finance. He had a passion for making more money and then giving it all away to help people.

"He loved his dogs, especially Sophie, who had been Nancy's Dalmatian. The day before he died, Tom suddenly asked me, 'What about Sophie?' and smiled when I told him that Sophie would live with my family. She is now a happy member of our dog pack.

"It means the world to me that Tom trusted me so completely - and that we were and are as family to each other.”

Bernadette Ackerman, Tom's Personal Assistant and Office Manager

"Tom was incredibly generous with his spirit, and we came to care deeply for each other. Every single day, he let me know he was really happy to see me. He'd greet me with a big smile and a twinkle in his eye. He always wanted to know how my family was doing.

"Tom was brilliant. He was supergood with numbers and could add things up in his head faster than I could do it with a calculator.

“He constantly let me know how much he appreciated my organizing skills. He liked to joke about the tonal quality of my 'This is really important so pay attention!’ voice when something we were working on needed to get done right away.

"And Tom was indomitable, refusing to be defeated. Every time he had a setback with his health, he would see it as a challenge and decide, 'I'm going to beat this!' He would make a recovery plan and then be extremely disciplined in carrying it out.

"He loved to tell stories. I remember one from his childhood when he was a student at a Catholic Jesuit School. One of his TV shows was The Lone Ranger, and he was delighted when the actor Clayton Moore showed up at the school dressed in his costume but driving a red convertible Cadillac instead of riding his horse, Silver.

"Working with Tom helped me to grow bigger than Mt. Shasta in my confidence, my skills, and my understanding of a wider world of finances and possibilities I had never imagined. His presence filled whatever space he was in."

Raz Ingrasci, Founder of the Hoffman Institute Foundation and Board Chairman of the Hoffman Institute International
    

"Tom and I met in 1974. We hit if off immediately and became fast life-long friends. We shared a life view, perhaps best epitomized by an occasion in August of 1976.

"On a Sunday morning, driving though lettuce fields near Salinas, Tom suddenly asked me to pull over. He got out of the car and wandered into a lettuce field. With his jackknife, he harvested a head of lettuce. Upon returning to the car, he promptly cut the head of lettuce into quarters.

"Offering me one of the quarters, he said, 'Eat this!" I looked down and suddenly realized that the lettuce was oozing life and that I was about to eat something that was actually alive. It was the most incredible thing I'd ever eaten. I began to realize that everything around me was alive - and that I was alive with it.

"Tom had a unique way of opening people to the mystery of life, which was the basis of our life-long mutual commitment to transformational education.

"For Tom, the whole universe was alive - and someone could only know their place and find themselves once they were aware of this profound aliveness everywhere.

"Many people talk about Tom's caring, his love, and his genius. An important source of this was that he sought to live in harmony with the universe and to express that deep connection.

"We had many adventures together. He was a groomsman in Liza's and my wedding, and he and Nancy were godparents to our first child, Marissa. We shared a lot of life together. He was on the founding board of the Hoffman Institute and, along with Nancy, supported our work with generous gifts and in other important ways.

"When a crisis hit, such as our 45-acre retreat site burning down in September of 2020, even before we could ask for anything, Tom was always the first to show up with support.

"In 2023, he was not well and neither was I. He stayed overnight once while undergoing testing at UCSF. We got to talking about a new variety of strawberry that he was excited about. I asked about the shelf life of strawberries at the grocery store, and Tom said, 'Longer than you might think, but if the leaves are flat on the berry, don't buy it. The life is gone from the berry.'

"Tom had his attention on life, always, even to the end.

"I will miss him dearly."

Roshi Joan Halifax, Abbot of Upaya Zen Center

"Tom and I were close friends and collaborators for over 40 years.

"Tom was an innovator, a mentor, and a visionary. We co-designed and produced extraordinary gatherings, bringing together people at Upaya to explore cutting-edge issues related to global challenges and solutions.

"Recently, Tom supported the creation of a major monastery building at the Zen Center that was dedicated to the memory of his wife, Nancy.

"Through our long relationship, I am honored to have introduced Tom to the practice of meditation.

"And I am deeply grateful for his tremendous support to furthering my vision of socially and environmentally engaged Buddhism, which is providing inspiration, hope, and healing for thousands of people around the world."

Alan Fisher, Close and Long-Time Friend

"Tom and I were dear friends for more than four decades. We met at the Golden Door, returning each year for over 100 times in total. At the Door, we hiked five miles per day, totaling more than 600 times, always sharing and nurturing each other’s best intentions.

"We traveled together many times over the years, including visits to each other’s homes, a holiday with our wives to New Mexico, practicing Tai Chi on the Mesa, and studying Chinese calligraphy and the contemplative arts. Together we shared a huge gratitude to a higher power while we navigated the challenges of our lives.

"Tom had a deep respect for our planet at the macro and micro level. As a farmer, he was captivated by nature and all things living. He was passionate about innovative projects and providing the very best berries to the world.

"With his deep care for life, he nurtured people and causes through his words, his actions, and his financial support. Every breath of every human being was important to him, and he was always there to help those who were overlooked.

"A person's legacy in life is measured by their deeds. Tom lived his life with intentionality, never taking anything for granted. His deeds are the deeds that give time meaning.

"Tom empowered all who knew him to be their very best selves. We are all eternally grateful for having him in our lives.

"He will be dearly remembered by me, my family, and all whose lives he touched. May his memory be a blessing."

Lynne Twist, Founder of the Soul of Money Institute and Co-founder with her Husband Bill of The Pachamama Alliance

"Bill and I first met Tom at EST training in the 1970s and stayed close because we were all so committed to transformation. He worked hard to find the 'gold' of value and power within himself and helped many others to do the same.

"I had the honor of connecting with Tom on many philanthropy and fundraising projects. He was always incredibly generous and stood behind the charities we supported. I will never forget the moment when he made a million-dollar bequest in my living room for The Hunger Project because he resonated so strongly with our vision of ending world hunger."

"He and Bill had a joyful 'guy' friendship, and we had a lot of fun with Tom and his beloved wife, Nancy, collecting beautiful art and enjoying wonderful dinners together, and sharing our spiritual journeys.

"We went together many times to the Amazon with Pachamama Alliance to learn and to support the work of the Achuar and Sápara people of the Sacred Headwaters region in saving the rainforest.

“After Nancy died, Tom created the Nancy Driscoll Foundation to honor her and stay close to her spirit. He lived his life with love and trust and honor."

Irene van der Zande, Executive Director and Founder of Kidpower International

"Tom taught me about the power of blessings – spoken out loud or read in silence. Our times together were full of blessings from Tom to express gratitude for the food we eat, the friendships we share, the beauty of our natural world, and the lives we live. He always gave a 'farewell' blessing when it was time for my husband Ed and me to leave.

"We got to know each other because his beloved Nancy was my dear friend and our Kidpower Board President for many years. Her strong leadership and wisdom were essential in transforming our small nonprofit organization from a good idea into a great reality.

"Despite his many health challenges, Tom stayed deeply committed to making our world a better place and especially to helping young people in need. He also stayed profoundly connected to Nancy’s spirit in everything he did.

"Tom honored Nancy's tremendous legacy with Kidpower by becoming an incredible supporter both personally and through the Nancy Driscoll Foundation. When, like so many others, Kidpower was hit hard in the 2020 pandemic shutdown, Tom's wonderful generosity and vision made it possible to turn the crisis caused by our sudden and dramatic loss of funding into an opportunity to greatly expand our horizons, as Nancy had always encouraged us to do.

"Tom and Nancy will always be a part of every child, teen, and adult we teach. Countless millions of people worldwide will have safer and happier lives because they are better prepared to take charge of their safety, protect their loved ones, and work together to create cultures of safety, respect, and kindness for everyone, everywhere.

"Personally, I believe that, even though bodies have to die, our love lives on. Tom, like Nancy, will always stay with me in my work and in my own life, uplifting me with their lovingkindness, friendship, and blessings."

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