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Monday, October 1, 2018
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Millie and Gerald McFall posted a condolence
Saturday, June 29, 2013
To Marie McDonald, Sorry for you're loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love, Millie and Gerald McFall
192 Nelson Road
K
Klaus W. Beyenbach posted a condolence
Saturday, June 22, 2013
The totally unexpected news of Tom’s passing hit me like a jolt. Like the Baldwins I had thought that Tom would go on forever – in a way he does, at least in the inner chambers of my heart. Tom was a man from the time when men were just silent, strong, and kind.
Tom was one of the rare soldiers to return from Vietnam psychologically unharmed. He had seen the worst that, too, is within human beings. What a hombre! He jumped out of perfectly good airplanes and survived, he dove into Vietnam hell and came home, he raced his bicycle downhill, broke the fork on the bike and lived to tell about it, he was hit by a car and out for hours and then came back to reassure us.
His external steel harbored uncommon kindness. The lone bachelor, me, shared the family Thanksgiving table for years. These hours together with Meese (aka Marie), Mark, Jill, Hedy and Tom in their modest house on the hill (with a calf outside) are now in the shrine of my memory. If there ever was a human being who unhesitatingly came to the help of friends or non-friends, it was Tom.
And I have not seen a marriage where love goes as deep as it does in the union of Tom and Marie. When they lived in Ithaca they had been married for years and the kids were all in school. Still, Tom’s face would light up at the thought of the frequent weekend getaways Messe and Tom had planned for their seclusion in Buffalo and who knows elsewhere. It seemed to me that their honeymoon has never ended. Theirs was a model marriage.
Tom supported me and the Section Physiology immensely during my first years at Cornell. Of all the people in the Laboratory of ‘Mammalian Physiology’, Tom always worked hardest to make sure that our lab exercises were meaningful for the students. Although Tom's job description had him ‘set up labs’, he ran the labs with the theoretical and technical knowledge of the seasoned professor. Making sure that animals did not suffer was always on his mind. Setting up for one diuresis lab in sheep, one sheep had broken my inept hold and took off in the parking lot of Morrison Hall. OH MY, the embarrassment for me and my Department: two guys chasing a sheep all over an Ivy League campus with the campus police in close pursuit! But it did not take long before the sheep trusted Tom while I looked on with astonishment. When later, Peter Nathanielsz mentored Tom’s PhD, I was delighted that an international figure in Physiology had recognized Tom’s ability and promise.
Tom, my dear TMcD: As the future gets shorter, memory becomes more important than prospect. As to my own memory, I am SO grateful that it includes you. You define being human. You vouchsafe the hope that the world is not tending towards destruction but infinity.
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Bernie Lamphere posted a condolence
Thursday, June 20, 2013
I worked with Tom at Cornell University, hauled and inspected his cars. He was a great man and will be missed.
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R. Lewis posted a condolence
Thursday, June 20, 2013
I send my condolences to the family of Thomas at this difficult time. May you be comforted by the promise of the resurrection and the knowledge that soon death will be no more and never again will we have to bury our loved ones. God makes this wonderful promise to us at Isaiah 25:8 where it says that he will "swallow up death forever." I hope these words are of some consolation
O
O'Connor Family posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Dear Marie,
Our Family would like to express our deepest sympathy on the death of your dear husband. Our families go back many years ago when your Mom and Dad were alive. My sister Catherine and your Mom were the best of friends. From a family of seven we are now a family of three.
Love and Prayers to you and your family,
Fred and Jean O'Connor
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Rob Gilbert posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Dear Marie and Family:
I learned with shock and sadness of the death of Tom. I enjoyed every minute of interaction with him while he was at Cornell and the few interactions I had with him after he left. He was an inspiration in many ways and a fine example as a scientist and citizen. My thoughts and sympathy are with you and all the others who will miss him.
C
Claire Berian posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
As one of the team members of Joanne Fortune's lab in Reproductive Physiology, I enjoyed Tom's kindness at work and experienced the wonderful positive energy Marie and Tom brought to social gatherings. I am deeply saddened by the loss of such an impressive, humble, wonderful person. I extend my sympathy and wishes for healing to Marie and all his dear family and friends.
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Kathe Houpt posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
I remember Tom fondly from his early days at Morrison Hall and was pleased watched him progress up the academic ladder. My deepest sympathy to Marie.
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B Tarbell posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
To Sir With Love, my teacher and friend. Thank you Tom for having such a positive influence on so many of us. Your calm perspectives have forever changed my life. Your winning smile will forever bring me joy. We are blessed to be part of your community and terrific family. Words cannot describe the love...and the loss.
J
Jim and Betty Baldwin posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
TOM!!!! I always thought you'd live forever..I think we both thought we both would. We met Tom and Meez as undergrads at Cornell in 1970...remained good friends until I went to work for Tom in 1978...teaching about 5 labs in physiology!! We had some hellish good times before then and during my stay with Tom. Our favorite lab was the human exercise lab as you might guess..although we overstressed a couple of students! LOL.
Jumping rope in the lab every morning...the 2 step stress test, ping pong and some boxing,
eating donuts..well I did at least, that was us. I was not as closely in touch with Finney too much after that but did see him now and then on campus. I'll always remember 1978 to 1987 as some of the best years of my life. Thanks,Tommy , it was a hell of a ride!! I'll think of you often!
J
Joe Sullivan posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
Tom...cousin Tommy. You lived your life so well, accomplished so much. Always full of the joy of life, you were an inspiration to us all. Time slips away but it seems like just last summer I wondered if it was possible to swim to egg rock. You said it was. I was in awe. We have our memories and tears and can't believe that your gone.
L
Lois & Bruce posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
Our deepest sympathies to you Lois and the rest of your family. Although I never met him, you always spoke with love and admiration of your brother. He must have been a wonderful guy. xo
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Larry Katz posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
Tom, My mentor, my friend -- my brother - I will miss you.
T
Tina Potter Cullum posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
God Bless you and your family, may all our love and prayers be with you on your journey. You made a difference. T
T
Timothy Hite posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
Tom was a great man to work with at the UT Health Science Center. Alway had a smile and great way with coworkers.
He will be missed.
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Peggy Firenze-Slattery posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
Dear Hedy, Jill and Family,
Your Father's passionate zest and inquisitive exploration of life will now be carried on through you and your beautiful children. Your Dad is a true hero in the eyes of many. May you find peace through knowing how worthwhile his life on Earth has been and how meaningful his contributions will continue to be to so many...
RIP Dr. Tom.
May Peace be with you all...
S
Steve Kelly posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
You taught me the most important things in life- exercise the mind, spirit, and body. Thanks for showing the beauty of hiking in the wilderness, too! You are with my Dad (Lenny) jumping out of life's plane!
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Sue Hawk posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
To Marie and family,
I was very saddened to hear of Tom's death; will remember his kindness, wonderfuly personality and scientific contributons during his years at Cornell University, Department of Physiology and the Pregnancy and Newborn Research unit. He was a great guy. I am happy to have known him. Rest in peace, Tom.
From:
Sue Hawk, Ithaca, NY
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Fred and Cynthia Quimby posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
It was with great sadness that I read Tom's obituary today in the Journal. Tom was honest, kind and modest;a great fellow human being, who will be missed.
S
Susan Howser, Jr. posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
Dear Marie, Sorry to here about Tom! My condolences to you and your family, and many hugs. Sue
PS Miss your smiling face and infectious laugh (those were the days at SCC; remember sibs)
J
Jim & Janice Thompson posted a condolence
Monday, June 17, 2013
You and Your Family are in our Prayers and Thought.
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Lois McDonald White posted a condolence
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Dearest Tommy, My "little brother", my first friend. How blessed I have been. Love you to pieces. Lois
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Bob and Mary Shaughnessy posted a condolence
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Tommy was a wonderful Cousin who I wish I could have seen more often. The last time I saw him was at our Aunt Betty Sullivan's 90th birthday celebration in November, 2004. I'll always remember Tommy's boundless energy and "joie-de-vivre". Please accept my mom Mary's and my deepest sympathies. We'll both keep Tommy in our prayers.
Edward V. Sullivan
Funeral Home
43 Winn Street
Burlington, MA 01803
Ph: (781) 272-0050
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