Tom passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on Oct. 23, 2023 at the age of 72. He is survived by Nevart, his wife of 45 years and his sisters Georgie Webster and Emmie Hilton. He was born in Kamloops, B.C., in 1951. After he moved to Ontario with his parents, he finished his college education in electronics in the early seventies. In 1978, Tom met Nevart in England. After travelling through Europe and the Middle East, they came back to Canada where he started working for Field Aviation, Navair and some other small companies. He was a person with lots of humor, compassion, and honesty. He enjoyed working on electronics, woodworking and displaying many of his woodworking projects in his home. He built several amplifiers, including one for his friend with a D-Verb. He will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
Condolences for the family may be offered at www.EganFuneralHome.com
Denny & Margaret Leavens
To; Nevart
& all of Tom’s Family
We are saddened for your loss of Tom.
Remembering him for all his interesting conversations we had , while stopping to talk as l was walking by on my daily walks and for showing me his garden with all his tomato plants.
I will miss his friendly greeting and presence as a good neighbour on Centennial Dr.
We send our sincere condolences at this sad time.
Denny & Margaret Leavens
Christina Leavens Graham
I was saddened to read of the passing of Tom. I will miss his friendly visits when passing by his home. Always had a smile and upbeat comments. I send my sincere condolences to his wife Rose (Nevart), his sisters and family. Christina Leavens Graham
John L Stewart
I met Tom when I joined the Navair Division of Field Aviation in 1993. Tom was without doubt one of the most knowledgeable Technologists I would ever have the pleasure of knowing. And his expertise went well beyond the realm of electronics.
Tom & I kept in touch with each other thru the several years after retirement. And it was always a pleasure to engage in a technical discussion with him.
My wife Helen & I extend our sincerest condolences to Nevart & family.
John L Stewart P.Eng
Ken Rancourt
I met Tom when I joined Navair when I was 20 in 1997. He took me under his wing, and he quickly became a great friend. He was always making me laugh and he made me think. I really admired Tom, and over the years; he made an immense impact on my life. Knowing him made me a better person.
To me, Tom was intelligent, funny, creative – extremely inventive. His ability to love people and treat them with a non-judgmental fairness demonstrated how compassionate and caring he was. I always enjoyed our conversations whether it be for advice, his wisdom, or just to laugh and talk music and art.
Tom loved all types of music, and although he didn’t play guitar; he designed and built for me the best sounding and most versatile tube guitar amplifier I have ever played. I display and play his creations with pride and gratitude.
Tom was a true gem , I will always have nothing but great things to say about my friend; and I will truly miss him.
My deepest sympathies to Nevart and family.
Ken, Celena & Benji Rancourt
Michael Espeut
I am truly sorry to learn of Tom’s passing. Tom s contribution to Navair was immeasurable. A Technical guru he always picked the repair jobs no one else wanted. My sincere condolences to Nevart and their family on his passing.
Ron Wellon
My wife Tracey and I first met Tom at Navair where we both worked in 1985. Tom was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable about electronics. Some of us at Navair would call him the Professor. He had a passion for audio. He had built audio amplifiers and had also built some extremely sophisticated home speakers. He was enthusiastic to show me what projects he was building. Tom helped me learn some of the equipment he serviced at Navair. Tracey and I extend our sincerest condolences to Nevart and his family.
Cameron Lindsey
Nevart… So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, He always had a twinkle in his eye in our discussions during his visits. He was a kind man with many interests. Tom will be missed. My condolences.
Isabel
Uncle Tom was such a unique one-of-a-kind individual. He was extremely smart and creative. Remembering his sense of humor will always put a smile on my face. You will be missed Uncle Tom!
Raffee & Margaritt
I remember when for the first time Nvart introduced Tom to our family in San Diego. We all liked his good nature and great sense of humor, as well as his down-to-earth view of things. We immediately accepted him as a member of our family, and he felt very comfortable around us. Great guy, he’ll be missed.
Markarit Esmailian
I’d like to remember Tom was one of the few people who could make positive connections with anyone, age and background. Although many of our older relatives did not speak English, they understood Tom through his love and sense of humor. His experiences in life and business fascinated people of all ages. I came to know Tom when he married y cousin Nevart and I immediately thought he is perfect for my adventurous cousin. I still tell people about how they (my Canadian cousins) rode across the country on their motorcycle to visit family in CA.
Tom will be missed but his memory will live with all of us for ever.
Dearest Nevart, may you have peace and know he is watching over you always. Love you.
Valod Esmailian
I already miss his laugh and goofiness.
He was like me in many ways, free spirit and
an adventurer, Tom always did what he wanted to do, no holding back, very mild nature.
I liked the guy from first time we met back home.He was very much liked by all of our clan.
He departed too soon.
My condolences to my Cuz and family and his sisters and extended family.
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN DUDE.
Edik Esmailian
God bless his soul. Tom, we never forget you I remember you always smiling and happy when you and Nevart coming to see our family in San Diego We were waiting to see you guys soonest possible that much we love you. . Tom was great person he always make a joke and smile and happy. My condolences to Nevart and his family
Lida Van Vladricken
Lída Van Vladricken
11/13/23
Tom was my brother-in-law. He had great sense of humor and beautiful smile. He was very smart in everything and anything he did. He always wanted to make things from scratch, he never wanted to buy things from the stores. He didn’t want to have things without putting hard work to create an art.
Tom came over when we just built our house and helped my husband to build a black rock wall. He was very much proud of it. I will think about him everyday by the way he laid those rocks. He did a great job. He made a sailboat for my son from scratch and I can’t explain how perfect that looks. Yes, that was Tom.
Tom learned the Armenian language and it was very easy for him to communicate with all ages.
We will miss Tom very much. He has created an empty spot in our life N heart forever.
Chris Van Vladricken
I’ll miss Uncle Tom very much. He was always so kind and in a joyful mood, looking to make everyone around him laugh. I think he had a special bond with my dad, that was nice to see. Tom, you will always be in our hearts and minds.
Michael Anderson
My condolences to Nevart, Tom’s family, and friends.
I am saddened to hear that Tom has passed. He was a good guy. I enjoyed my conversations with him. He’s one of those people you never forget.
Julio Chavez
My most deepest condolences on the sad departure of my “AMIGO” Tom.
A tear of sadness and joy because I know you are in God’s hand. Until we meet again
https://youtu.be/MKWmGqbVTdU?si=IH9bDAkjuCJzoxyX
Alfred, Tonie, Amanda, and Matthew Esmailian
Tom had a great sense of humor and our conversations were never dull! He loved to learn about the Armenian culture and language. He enjoyed the company of his extended Armenian family and formed an instant bond with them. I often joked about him being 10% Armenian!
He was a master of woodworking and I am in awe of all his creations. He could fix and transform anything and I don’t think a serviceperson ever visited his home! He loved music and occasionally played the saxophone. He was quite skilled in his chosen profession of electronics, which was both a career and a hobby that he enjoyed. He had custom-built creations that incorporated both electronics and woodworking, such as an amazing-sounding pair of guitar-shaped speakers. He often engraved his creations with a rose as a symbol of his love for Nevart!
We will always cherish his memories and miss his presence!
George Harrison – All Those Years Ago: https://youtu.be/4QBI51s_NHE?si=YUQLT8D_LQyGkcY-
Albert, Vish and Brandon Esmailian
Tom has been like an older brother to me.
When I was a teenager, he spent lots of time to write the lyrics for some of my favourite Beatles songs which I still remember and talk about.
He taught me how to ride his Triumph motorcycle. It was awesome. It was amazing how he could take his bike apart to nuts and bolts and put it back together with no problem. He would rather to fix things rather than buying a new one which is something him and I had in common.
He used to drive me all the way to St. Catherines everytime I visited him and my sister Rose at their house. He was great with directions regardless of driving to downtown Toronto or all the way to downtown Washington DC over a long weekend. Lots of fun.
He was always there to give me advice about electronics.
Thank you Tom for the memories. Rest in peace.
Nevart McKay
Thank you everyone for your beautiful and heartfelt comments. I am glad to see that Tom touched so many lives and was remembered by you fondly.