Thomas Gary Hope, 62, of Largo, FL passed away at the Bay Pines VA Medical Center, Bay Pines, FL on August 25, 2009. His funeral mass is 1:00 PM, Friday, August 28, 2009 at St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church, 1855 South Belcher Road, Clearwater, FL 33760, with Father Robert Dwyer, to officiate. Graveside services and full military honors will be 12:45 PM, September 4, 2009 at Bay Pines VA National Cemetery, 10000 Bay Pines Blvd., Bay Pines, FL 33744 with Father Manning and the VFW Post 9272, to officiate. Please send all floral arrangements directly to St Catherine Catholic Church, prior to the services on Friday, August 28, 2009.
A native of Geneva, NY and a local resident since 1990, when he moved here from Los Angeles, CA; he was the manager for Celebration Station in Clearwater, FL; a member of St. Catherine Catholic Church and a US Army Veteran of the Vietnam War. His US Army career specialty was a light weapons specialist and he was awarded Two Purple Hearts; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Devices; Vietnam Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars; US Army Commendation Medal with 2 Devices; Two Overseas Bars; Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal and a Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation. He was discharged with the rank of SSG.
He is survived by his wife, Pat of Largo, FL; four sons: Thomas A. “Tony” Hope of Tucson, AZ, William Brown and Timothy Brown, both of Safety Harbor, FL and Lawrence Brown and his wife, Bridget of Largo, FL; a daughter, Angelina Marie Ramirez and her husband, Martin of Whittier, CA; his mother, Anne Hope Towne and her husband, Robert of Barrington Hills, IL; two brothers: Michael Francis Hope and his wife, Bonnie of Sunnyvale, CA and Steve Hope and his wife, Michelle of Peoria, IL: four sisters; Nancy Heinssen and her husband, Gary of Port ST. Lucie, FL; Mary Kay Dixon and her husband, George of Richland, NC; Linda Ryan and her husband, James of Clinton, NY and Christine Beyhl and her husband, Artie of Clermont, FL and seven grandchildren: Samantha and Katrina Ramirez, TJ and Devon Hope and Samantha, Bryan and Emily Brown.
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Tom,
I just want to say thank you for all the memories and talks we had. I wish I could be there to pay the respect to you that you deserve, but if anyone knows the military its you when I say they wont let me come home. You will be greatly missed
R.I.P Tom
He was always a really nice guy, and I actually remember (long ago) when he stepped into a management role. Funny thing is, he is the guy who actually FIRED ME from CS and I had some hard feelings at the time, but got over it. :-) He was such a character and always had something random and funny to say.
He will be missed by many. Please, if you knew Tom, sign the guestbook, and let his family know what a great guy he is! And I might even make it up for the services so let me know if anyone else is going to be there.
RIP Tom!! We know you’re over there, waiting on the other side for us :-)
To the Hope family, I would like to offer my deepest sympathy on the passing of Tom . I worked with Tom at Celebration Station in the early 90s as a co manger.He was an awesome guy with a passion for life ,and always willing to lend a hand to go the extra mile ,a true team player.Working with Tom was a pleasure he was an awesome person, and will be missed .R.I.P my friend .
We offer our heartfelt sympathy to Tom’s family. The few times I spent with Tom, I know he had a strong faith and belief in our Lord Jesus, and that he knew he would have eternal life beyond our earthly bonds. He was a kind and generous man who always thought of others. We will miss him.
Mario Biagini & Family
We would like to express our deepest sympathy to Pat, the boys, and the whole Hope family. My kids and I knew Tom Hope was a wonder loving and caring person before we ever met him. Kimberly and Joey thought he was the greatest Uncle sending them gifts to go to Chucky Cheese and have a wonderful time on him. He had never even met any of us, yet wanted us to enjoy ourselves and have fun. I finally met Tom a couple of times when I was down in Florida a few years back and really enjoyed his company. We will truly miss Tom and know he will be reunited with his Dad in heaven.
We are very sorry that we will miss Tom’s mass, but be reassured we are all thinking and praying for all of you.
All our Love,
& Gods Blessings,
The Lasare Family
Tom, We are glad you are at peace and are sure you are happy in your new home. You were a great big brother and you advice was always taken. We loved your stories and you were3 always positive about what you were doing. We are sorry that we will not be at your Mass but we be at the Funeral on Friday next week. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Fair Winds my friend. Thank you for your service to our country. You always talked straight and I appreciated that. See you on the other side. I SALUTE you. RIP.
I am having a really hard time thinking of what to say. I know my dad had a very hard time, and that he was very sick for a long time. It has always been hard for my brother and I to keep in touch with him. I read all these lovely entries about my dad, and wish I knew him like you all did. I love my dad, and I know I will miss him. Please dad Rest in Peace knowing we love you.
-Your little Angel
I am having a really hard time thinking of what to say. I know my dad had a very hard time, and that he was very sick for a long time. It has always been hard for my brother and I to keep in touch with him. I read all these lovely entries about my dad, and wish I knew him like you all did. I love my dad, and I know I will miss him. Please dad Rest in Peace knowing we love you.
-Your little Angel
I am having a really hard time thinking of what to say. I know my dad had a very hard time, and that he was very sick for a long time. It has always been hard for my brother and I to keep in touch with him. I read all these lovely entries about my dad, and wish I knew him like you all did. I love my dad, and I know I will miss him. Please dad Rest in Peace knowing we love you.
-Your little Angel
My prayers and deepest sympathys go out to the Hope Family. I spent 10 years with Tom as a co worker, Tom was one of the most, genuine people I have ever met. Tom never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He taught me alot about patience, dedication, and i will miss just talking about everything under the sun as we feed his goldfish. I know Tom is in a wonderful place now, We will see him again, until then..You were a good friend, may you rest and be at peace
Our deepest sympathies to Pat, Larry, Billy, Timmy and your families. We know Tom best through your caring words and know he passed peacefully with love and will be greatly missed. May Tom rest in peace. God bless the Hope family.
The Fish’s
Our deepest sympathies to Pat, Larry, Billy, Timmy and your families. We know Tom best through your caring words and know he passed peacefully with love and will be greatly missed. May Tom rest in peace. God bless the Hope family.
The Fish’s
I am having a really hard time thinking of what to say. I know my dad had a very hard time, and that he was very sick for a long time. It has always been hard for my brother and I to keep in touch with him. I read all these lovely entries about my dad, and wish I knew him like you all did. I love my dad, and I know I will miss him. Please dad Rest in Peace knowing we love you.
-Your little Angel
Our deepest sympathies to your entire family. Our memories of our group memorial day weekends at the beach will always be in our minds. This definately is a hard time for all, but we must celebrate your life. Rest is peace buddy!
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to all of the Hope family. I am very proud to have had Tom as my step brother. I especially want to thank him for his service to our country.
Tom Hope was my Papa. I loved him very much, and I will miss him very much, and now that he is in heaven, he will always be in my heart more then ever, I hope everyone that knew Tom Hope, signs this web page, and he will know that you cared R.I.P Papa
Tom Hope was my Papa. I loved him very much, and I will miss him very much, and now that he is in heaven, he will always be in my heart more then ever, I hope everyone that knew Tom Hope, signs this web page, and he will know that you cared R.I.P Papa
Tom Hope was my Papa. I loved him very much, and I will miss him very much, and now that he is in heaven, he will always be in my heart more then ever, I hope everyone that knew Tom Hope, signs this web page, and he will know that you cared R.I.P Papa
Hey Tom. Its been awhile since I have talked to anyone and this was a shock. Tom will be greatly missed. Thank you for your services in an out of the military. I agree anyone could talk to you about everything and anyything under the sun and no matter how silly the advice sometimes we would do it. Especially when we got hurt. Thanks Tom we love you.
Our deepest sympathy is with all of Tom’s family. He was a very special person and we will miss him.
Tom Hope was my Papa. I loved him very much, and I will miss him very much, and now that he is in heaven, he will always be in my heart more then ever, I hope everyone that knew Tom Hope, signs this web page, and he will know that you cared R.I.P Papa
To the entire extended Hope family:
Kathy, Allen and I send our deepest sympathies to you upon Tom’s passing. Although I have not seen Tom since I was much younger, the Barry family and the Hope family continue to have a close and lasting friendship. You are all like family, and we feel your sorrow today.
To the entire extended Hope family:
Kathy, Allen and I send our deepest sympathies to you upon Tom’s passing. Although I have not seen Tom since I was much younger, the Barry family and the Hope family continue to have a close and lasting friendship. You are all like family, and we feel your sorrow today.
Tom was and will always be a very dear person to me. I had the honor of knowing Tom for 16 years. Tom was like a second dad to me. I believe I am the person I am today because of him. I have so many wonderful memories of Tom. I hope the Hope family find peace in knowing how much he truly loved each and everyone of you. Thanks for everything Tom. I will always love you and know you will be with us all.
Good night my brother, it was one of the most difficult days of my life – sleep tight. We love you.
Good night my brother, it was one of the most difficult days of my life – sleep tight. We love you.
Bye Tom. See you on the other side!
My thoughts and Prayers are with the whole Hope Family. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
Tom, Thanks for all the memories, you are a great big brother , I know you are at peace now & with Dad in Heaven. Love you, Zeek
My Dear Husband Tom,
You are my best friend and I love you very much – even though sometimes you were a pain in the…We had 16 and a half wonderful years together and would not have traded them in for anything.You will be forever in my heart.Your children and grandchildren all miss you very much.
Thank you for being in my life! I will be with you again one day. Love for Eternity, Pat
WE wish to express our sincere sympathy to Pat & her family. We know Pat from the restaurant( Farmers Kitchen) where she waits on us every Sunday a.m.)Again, our sympathy. Ray & Alice LeClair
Tom, It was a pleasure and an honor to have been your brother-in-law and friend. My deepest sympathies to the entire Hope family and know that I, too grieve for a lost brother…Rest in Peace fellow soldier.
My Big brother, you no longer have to suffer- may you have much Peace and Happiness in Heaven with Dad. We all love you very much. The world has lost a true American, you gave up alot for our country all those years ago!
Our sympathy to Pat and Tom’s family. We know that you are thankful that Tom is no longer suffering.
May happy memories sustain you in the weeks and months to come. GayElbert Gentry
Tom, thanks for all that you did for our family. You are a great man. My mom could not have found a better person. You were always there for us. I’ll always miss the fun we had. Peace.
Although we didn’t know Tom, we know how much he meant to his family and how much he’ll be missed. Our hearts go out to the family during this difficult time.
Pat and family so sorry to hear of your loss. It is not easy to say goodbye to a loved one as we just lost our daughter in April during childbirth. You wait on us many times at the restaurant. Please accept our sympathy and prayers at this time and may God be with you and your family at this time.
Tom you always found a way to make me laugh. I miss you dear friend…TJ and I went to feed your fish the other day, and we talked about how you always be there when we couldn’t find you, your always in my heart and I love you very much… I know your in better place and you will make others laugh. But hey every Christmas I still will save you some tamales and I will take care of the fish :)
I did not know Tom, but I know Steve and understand the sorrow and lost the family feels at this time. Tom is going to be watching and waiting for all of you. Just remember all of the good and fun times each and everyone of you shared with him. May he rest in peace and love.
Marlene
On this first anniversary….We love you big brother…You are greatly missed and will be forever in our hearts.