Obituary of Thomas Gordon Wilcox

WILCOX, Thomas Gordon - It is with great sadness that Joyce Wilcox and Lynn (George) Bessey, Suzanne (John) Fletcher and Chris Wilcox announce the death of their husband and father on Tuesday August 19, 2008. Tom was born February 7, 1924 in Gabarus, Cape Breton, the youngest of ten children and married Joyce, the love of his life on December 31st, 1946. They spent 61 happy years together. Tom and Joyce moved to St. Catharines in 1952 where Tom was employed at General Motors until an early retirement in 1982. He was a proud member of the Royal Canadian Naval Association, Niagara Region after serving as a stoker on the Chebouge in WWII and later the Merchant Marines. He will be missed by his grandchildren Jodi Bessey, Debbie Howlett and Marc and Katie Fletcher. Tom was particularly pleased to know that both Chris (Kelly, Hannah, Orion) and Jodi (Tim) have met new people to share their futures with. Tom is survived by one brother Danny in Sydney, Nova Scotia and many nieces and nephews whom he kept in touch with. Tom loved to return to Cape Breton each summer to fish with Ewen and connect with friends. Tom died at home in his sleep after battling several illnesses over the years. This last infection proved to be his nemesis. We will miss him terribly. Cremation has taken place. Family and friends will be received at the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL CHAPEL, 585 Carlton St., on Monday August 25 from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m. in the chapel with private family inurnment to occur at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations made to the Canadian Down Syndrome Society or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated by the family.