Thomas Wayne Richardson, 76, of Cambridge, Ontario, (and formerly of Oshawa, Ontario), passed away surrounded by family on Wednesday, December 30, 2020 after a courageous, five-year battle with cancer.
Tom, a.k.a “Butch” or “Red” was born on July 30, 1944 to parents Tom Richardson Sr. and Johanna Richardson (nee Montag) in Oshawa, Ontario. He was a big brother to Brian (Ruth) (predeceased) and Leann Smith (Rick), who loved him dearly.
After graduating from O’Neill Collegiate in Oshawa, Tom spent 40+ years as a grocery store manager with A&P/Metro retiring in 2008. Working at stores in Lindsay, Peterborough and Oshawa, Tom was loved by his customers and the many, many employees that worked with him over the years.
In 1969, Tom married the first love of his life, Joanne Richardson (nee Grant), spending almost 40 years of love and happiness together until Joanne lost her battle with cancer in 2009. Together Tom and Joanne raised two children, Tom Richardson Jr. (“TJ”) and Katherine-Joanne (Kate) Richardson and provided a home, safety and love to many of TJ and Kate’s friends over the years. Tom and Joanne loved each other madly every single day and gave their children everything in life.
In 2012, Tom met the second love of his life, Gay Bast (nee Marsh) and the couple wed in 2014. Gay and Tom became avid travellers, laughed together and spent most of their time at the cottage or at the trailer in Arizona where they had many friends and spent their days hiking and rocking out on the dance floor. Tom never met a dance floor he did not like.
Tom was passionate about everything life had to offer. He loved to learn and to read and spent countless hours studying world politics, history and social issues. He loved riding the open roadway on his motorcycle and was in love with rock and roll, the blues and opera. Tom also loved food and enjoyed many of his favourite meals right up until the very last days of his life.
Tom will be greatly missed by Gay, Kate and Tom, by his daughter-in-law Stephanie (Peshal), and son-in-law Gary (Melanson), by his grandchildren, Trisha, Megan, Sydney, Leah, Drew, Myles, George and Ben, by his step-family, Kathy and Jody, Leane and Jay and Melanie and Hugh, and by his fur babies Lucy and Linus.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations are made to the Hospital for Sick Children (“Sick Kids”), the Canadian Cancer Society or your local humane society.
As Tom “sailed into the mystic” he asked that his family and friends live and laugh as large as he did and, to “be good to each other”…and always dance like everyone is watching. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life event in Cambridge following the pandemic when it is safe for everyone to gather together.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.267.7199. Please visit Tom's obituary notice on Facebook.
Tom, a.k.a “Butch” or “Red” was born on July 30, 1944 to parents Tom Richardson Sr. and Johanna Richardson (nee Montag) in Oshawa, Ontario. He was a big brother to Brian (Ruth) (predeceased) and Leann Smith (Rick), who loved him dearly.
After graduating from O’Neill Collegiate in Oshawa, Tom spent 40+ years as a grocery store manager with A&P/Metro retiring in 2008. Working at stores in Lindsay, Peterborough and Oshawa, Tom was loved by his customers and the many, many employees that worked with him over the years.
In 1969, Tom married the first love of his life, Joanne Richardson (nee Grant), spending almost 40 years of love and happiness together until Joanne lost her battle with cancer in 2009. Together Tom and Joanne raised two children, Tom Richardson Jr. (“TJ”) and Katherine-Joanne (Kate) Richardson and provided a home, safety and love to many of TJ and Kate’s friends over the years. Tom and Joanne loved each other madly every single day and gave their children everything in life.
In 2012, Tom met the second love of his life, Gay Bast (nee Marsh) and the couple wed in 2014. Gay and Tom became avid travellers, laughed together and spent most of their time at the cottage or at the trailer in Arizona where they had many friends and spent their days hiking and rocking out on the dance floor. Tom never met a dance floor he did not like.
Tom was passionate about everything life had to offer. He loved to learn and to read and spent countless hours studying world politics, history and social issues. He loved riding the open roadway on his motorcycle and was in love with rock and roll, the blues and opera. Tom also loved food and enjoyed many of his favourite meals right up until the very last days of his life.
Tom will be greatly missed by Gay, Kate and Tom, by his daughter-in-law Stephanie (Peshal), and son-in-law Gary (Melanson), by his grandchildren, Trisha, Megan, Sydney, Leah, Drew, Myles, George and Ben, by his step-family, Kathy and Jody, Leane and Jay and Melanie and Hugh, and by his fur babies Lucy and Linus.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations are made to the Hospital for Sick Children (“Sick Kids”), the Canadian Cancer Society or your local humane society.
As Tom “sailed into the mystic” he asked that his family and friends live and laugh as large as he did and, to “be good to each other”…and always dance like everyone is watching. The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life event in Cambridge following the pandemic when it is safe for everyone to gather together.
Messages and condolences may be left at www.tricitycremations.com or 519.267.7199. Please visit Tom's obituary notice on Facebook.
