Condolences
I recently retired from aviation and went in search of my old friend Tom. I was heartbroken to see he had passed. I was Tom's training partner and roommate at Comair in the mid 1980's. If it weren't for Tom I probably would never have made it through. As a Midwesterner I always marveled at Tom's stories of flying in the unforgiving Great White North for operators such as Kenn Borek Air. His accent and sense of humor make me smile to this day. Hope you are wearing your Mukluks in heaven Tom!
I worked with Tom at Centennial in Edmonton back in the early 80s and our paths crossed frequently in later years at many airports across Canada. Great guy and I am sad he has moved on to higher flight levels.
One day all of us will get separated from one another. We will miss our conversations. Days, months and years will pass until our contact becomes rare. A chance meeting would fill my heart with so much love. And I would talk about my seeing my dear old friend Thomas Wilson to my family. They would ask who is that?
And I would smile with invisible tears and say
“I had some of my very best times of my life with him”❤️ So many memories.
I’ll see you again my singing partner. Over the white cliffs of Dover.
I first met Tom when we were teenagers, working at Centennial Flying Service in Edmonton. His Infectious laughter and that great spirit of fun and friendship put the wind in everyone’s sails around him, wherever he was. Tom found his way to Kenn Borek Air in Inuvik, a year before I did. What a privelidge to have spent the time with him there, with all of the fun situations we found ourselves in. A challenging job at times to be sure, but Tom always had a way of finding the fun and bright side in any situation, and the good in people. We all looked forward to the after work chats, and his hilarious stories. Even our sometimes prickly bosses found Toms humour irresistible.
Over the years as I found my way to Jazz and Tom to Westjet, our visits were mostly running into each other at work, and perhaps sharing a coffee before flights. No matter how much time had passed between visits, I loved how we just picked up where we left off; and just like all those years ago, Tom would have me in stitches laughing, and almost late for work!
I will miss those coffee’s, and his laughter, as will the countless people his life affected. Whether he knew it or not, he had a way of brightening everyone’s day wherever he went, and indeed his spirit and his laughter live on.
Rest in Peace Friend
Sheila, Bryce, Garrett
My Sincerest Sympathy
Mike Herrfurth
Any day I saw Tom’s name on my pairing was a day I knew would be a good one. His kindness, sense of humour , warm smile and infectious laugh will be greatly missed. I’m very sorry for your families loss.
I was one of the cabin crew members that had the absolute pleasure of working with Tom (Tommy as he was affectionately called by most people) through several years. I always had several laughs with Tom and always looked forward to catch ups when I would see his name on my pairing. Tom made everyone feel welcome and safe as our “captain commander!” LOL. Part of the jokes that would happen between the crew members and himself.
My heart is definitely heavy with sorrow knowing that (we) won’t have those times again. Know that I am sending my deepest condolences and prayers of peace for you all.
Rest In Peace my friend ,
Bonnie Czuboka WS #2832
Thomas, Tommy, TDW, Tom - he was an amazing friend and an invaluable mentor. His courage was always an inspiration to me. I can’t find words to describe what a stand-up man he was and how he made everyone around him better. He taught and practiced flying smooooth - and was on his own level in that realm. He took immense pride in every aspect of his profession. He made the profession better for all of us.
I always admired the obvious pride he had in his family. He never missed a chance to update me on the the boys’ latest accomplishments and what they were up to. I loved seeing how easily he and Sheila loved each other, often through the easy banter and humour that grows from being soulmates. I know you guys will miss him dearly ... I am so so sorry for your loss. No words are adequate. Please remember he lives on in you, and you are a reflection of him. He also lives on in music, in laughter, and especially in people looking out for and standing up for each other.
I look forward to his presence in spirit while sneaking in some Boston on the headset enroute over the North Atlantic into a perfect sunrise. Or to thinking of him as I watch someone carving around on a sweet one-turn to final effort somewhere. And to raising a glass around a Shuswap campfire this summer while I give silent thanks for the incredible gift of his friendship.
May you have tailwinds always up there Thomas.
And good tunes.
Murray Sinal
Tom would call me at least half a dozen times a year just to “See” how me and my family were doing. It didn’t matter to Tom whether I was there to take the call or not, either way he was going to either speak with me or leave a greeting asking how I was and wishing me and my family the very best. He loved his own family fiercely and was usually making his world famous Wilson pancakes for the boys while we were speaking!! If there was something wrong in my life he wanted to know about it so he could help out because Tom was the kind of friend who was always far more concerned about what was going on with me than what what was going on with him. He was like a big teddy bear who smiled all the time and left love and good feelings everywhere he went. We will miss our friend very much but we will never forget him.
Lynn and I send our love to the entire Wilson family at this unhappy time.
Neil Mitchell/Lynn Jacobs
Wed March 10, 2021,
Tom, You were one of the good guys. We will miss you. I will never forget the times your brother Larry would pick me up to drive to our high school in Westlock with you along for the ride. Many laughs happened in that car ride. The other vivid memories involved your passion of flying. When you took me up in the plane to fly over our farm in Clyde. I missed the house with my toilet paper throw! The other one was when you were flying the WestJet flight over my home in Sooke BC and you called called me. The other one was when I flew to Edmonton. I was leaving the plane and ran into you as you greeted people off. I recall saying "I wondered why the plane ride was so rough" We had a good laugh.
To your family, Tom was a good soul and you should be very proud of him....We were proud to have him as a friend...
Fly onwards my friend....
-Janette and Larry Champagne
It is with deep sorrow we extend our condolences to the entire Wilson Family on Tom's passing. We have known and worked with Tom all the way back to his early flying years in Edmonton. Tom always was able to keep his crew smiling, laughing and having a great day together in a sometimes very stressful job. His passion was family and was always on his mind and he lovingly spoke of them. He was there to lend advice, or a hand whenever asked and always involved. His wisdom, judgment, patience and great flying skills were always admired by his colleagues and fellow employees. Tom was taken far to soon and we pray he rests in peace.
Proud to have called Tom a friend. We will all miss his humour and passion. He was always a strong advocate for all pilots. He loved and was so proud of Sheila, Garrett and Bryce. Our love and thoughts are with the three of you.
Scott and Catherine Mitchell
Our deepest sympathies to the Wilson family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time. Luke (Norm) Sabourin
Love and prayers to the Wilson family. We had the pleasure of flying with Tom at CRA and WestJet.
He was so proud of his family. Rest in peace Tom. You will be missed!!
Bruce Devenney
Donna Cutforth
Tom will always be that friend that will be missed forever, because when we first met way back in Jr High at a track meet, Tom was always the guy to start an easy conversation with a big smile attached and always a hilarious laugh to end his stories. Even though after high school we all ventured off to build our families and careers, we stayed in touch because of our strong friendship. Luckily we shared a class reunion, and our last times together, not to long ago, I saw then that Tom was still true to his loveable self. With plenty of stories to recall, a big smile on his face as he told them, and then as always, a huge memorable laugh that would always warm the heart. I was blessed to have had Tom as my friend!
Tom and I took our private pilots license together with Peace Air in Westlock. It was such a fun and exciting time. Before 9-11 on a flight from Edmonton to Grande Prairie he invited me to ride in the jump seat. Every time I have flown Westjet I have looked for and thought of him. It was such a pleasure to see him at the RF Staples High School reunion a few years ago. He was so proud of his family and still had that laugh and excitement for life that I always remembered. My sincere condolences to the Wilson Family Holding you in my heart.
A wonderful Man and Friend to all. Fly high with the Angels!
First time I met Tommy was on a school bus in elementary....early '70's......one of the first things out of his mouth was...."I'm going to be a pilot" .....from then on....it never wavered. ....never! Miss you pal! RIP.
Condolences to Sheila and the boys and your entire family. You are...and will always be missed.
I flew many hours with Tom at CRA. A very competent pilot. A very good man. He stood up for what he believed in. My most vivid memory was everytime I flew with him. There would be a smile or a smirk. Then something profoundly funny would come out. A pleaseure to fly with.
My condolences to the Wilson family
Toms energy, his laugh and smile had such a ripple effect. Even if you weren’t in his company you couldn’t help but smile when thinking of him. Visiting with him at our high school reunion will be a lasting memory. Rest In Peace my friend and fly free. My condolences to the family. Peace be with you
All my visits at the Wilson’s were a trip down memory lane.
Great times. Great Memories. Never forgotten. Rest in Peace brother!
I prepared this wonderful Pilots flight many times.i remebered a smile and kind hello. He was kind, helpful and a team player.
my condolences to the family and friends and to all who knew him.
My deepest condolences to the family, my thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time, he was always a pleasure to work with, he certainly will be missed
Rest in Peace Mr.Wilson (music man). You will be missed forever and always. The best neighbor ever. Sincere condolences to Sheila, Bryce, Garrett and family.
Tom has been a big part of my family for years and an “uncle” to my daughter. I will miss his stories when at your house, and have many fond memories of our family get togethers in the past. I have no words to describe my sorrow for Sheila and the boys as I know how much he will be missed. Love to you all xox
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