Nicholson, Thomas J., Sr., 89, of Clearwater, FL passed away on August 19, 2014 at Brookside Hospice House in Palm Harbor.
Tom was born in Washington, IA. He lived in and worked as an auto mechanic in Ames, IA from 1941 until 1958. He moved to Clearwater from Minnesota in 1971 and worked for GTE until his retirement in 1990. Tom enjoyed traveling around the country visiting friends and family.
He was an Army Air Force veteran of WWII, having served from 1942-1945 as a staff sergeant. He was a waist gunner with The Fifteenth Air Force in Italy. Tom stayed close to his comrades over the years.
Tom is survived by his wife of 68 years, Virginia; his son, Thomas, Jr. (Tami) of Clearwater; his daughter, Linda Vellake (Frank) of Gainesville, FL; his sister Shirley Thornsberry (Richard) of Sioux City, IA; and three grandchildren, Kerry Vellake, James R. Nicholson, and Amy L. Nicholson.
A special thank you to the staff at Suncoast Hospice for their compassion and excellent care during Tom’s last year. Interment will be at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.
Please sign the guestbook below.
Papa,
I will greatly miss you. I wish I had been able to be with you those last days. You were loved by so many and will be missed.
Love Always,
Kerry oxoxoxoxoxox
Dad was a wonderful father. We will miss him so much. We have great memories of the fun we had on our many vacations together. Love, Linda and Frank
We miss the smile you always gave us. Your shortcuts when we went for a drive. The pats on the back when you said hello and goodbye but most of all we’ll miss your unconditional love. Love always Tommy and Tami
Papa, you will be greatly missed. You were always loving and generous. I will remember all those trips you took us on and how they were always an adventure. I’m sure you’re driving around somewhere.
Love you,
Amy.
Tom was a neighbor of mine when he lived in Minnesota. Despite the fact that nearly 48 years has passed since we were neighbors, I still can look back and recall some wonderful memories of him. He was a quiet man with a wonderful sense of humor. May you now enjoy the “Mad Mouse” in heaven. Thanks for always being so kind to me. With sympathy- your 19 year old neighbor that is now nearing 67.
Blair Washburn 9-6-14
I had the pleasure of working with Tom at GTE. He was always pleasant and easy to work with. You could count on him to do things right. I am glad we were able to keep in touch over the years. You are going to be missed. Our prayers are for Virginia and the family.
WHAT A PLEASURE IT WAS TO KNOW AND WORK WITH TOM
FOR SEVERAL YEARS. I AM SURE THE GATES OF HEAVEN
WILL BE OPEN FOR HIM.
JOHNNY JB BUSCIGLIO