My father (Jack Young) coached Tom, Jack Price, Harold Hudspeth and others every summer in Legion A baseball from the time they were 12 until they they graduated from Arvada High School.  In many ways, these three - Tom, Harold & Jack - were my older brothers (by nearly 10 years!).  Part of my life has died with Tom (as I knew him).

After graduation, our family rarely saw these boys again, but they are etched forever in my memory!  How well I remember that famous game when the team played the inmates at Colorado's State Prison in Canon City.

And the night that Buddy Hollly died in 1959.  Tom, Harold & Jack came to our house with their Buddy Holly records and a record player.  Those three and my Dad listened to the music all night long!

While I have never met you, Carol, or any of Tom's children, all of you hold a special place in my heart.  If ever you are anywhere near Arvada, I will welcome you into my home!

Hi Honey, Wow it is almost 3 years. My heart still aches for us. I can't seem to move on the way I need to. I know we are together every day. You show me signs of your presence especiall so in my times of stress. I know you are happy and watching over all of us so that we have guidance and hope. I love you and miss you, Your Loviang Wife, Carol

I only knew Thom a short time( as a "shirt tail in-law") but his acceptance of me made me quickly realized how sacred his family was to him. I truly regret not having had the opportunity to spend more time in his presence.

Dearest Daddy, It has taken a while for me to gain the strength to write on here as it seems so final for me. I know that you are with me and watching over me and my family daily. I miss you more than words can express and I love you with all of my heart. You are an amazing man, so kind, loving, generous, and forgiving. You were truly made in God's image and I was so blessed to have you as my dad. May God continue to bless you with his everlasting love!

Carol & Family,   Sorry for your loss. John Mendozza and the staff of Morning Dew Tropical

What a beautiful spectacle. The number of people in body and spirit to celebrate and remember my dad's life is truly remarkable. We have family and friends from Pennsylvania, Georgia, New York, Colorado, and even Seattle Washington with us here today.
 
Little did I know... back as a high school freshman in my Public Speaking class.. would i ever have to give a speech as difficult as this. While I dont expect to ever be fully comfortable standing on a podium, today is different.  The fear is gone.. and in its place... an unbelievable honor! 
 
As many of you know, my dad grew up in a family that had a passion for sports, especially tennis and baseball. This was one of the reasons he was so excited to finally have a son, and I cant tell you how thankful I am for him introducing me to sports as a child. He was always involved and always believed in me. I don't think he ever missed a single baseball game of mine in high school. So many of my closest friends I have today were met through my involvement in athletics growing up. And he was such a special part of that.
 
Growing up, my parents used to take me to a lot of spring training and Marlins baseball games. And there used to be this one vendor just inside the stadium selling programs for that day's game. And he used to always say the same thing, " You can't tell a player without a program, get your lucky number program. U cant tell a player without a program, get yourself a lucky number program"...and on and on. And for whatever reason that phrase stuck with him. And over the years and even one game this season, my dad would always recall that vendor whenever we went to a game together. "You cant tell a player without a program"  . Well dad, you were my most valuable player. My MVP. And people could always tell who you were. You wore your heart on your sleeve. From your big hair to your big smile, we never needed a program to tell you apart from everyone else. 
 
For those of you who met my father, consider yourself fortunate. For those of you who knew him, consider yourself privileged. And for those of you who shared in his love, consider yourself blessed.
He was the most selfless man I've ever known. His love for his friends, kindness towards strangers, and belief in others was undeniable. Though it was his wife of 40 years who taught him how to say " I love you", he had an unconditional love for his whole family that was immeasurable. For he used to say, "Without Family...you have Nothing"
 
 
My dad's  life was full of everything one could hope and dream for... it just ended all too soon. Life is way too short. Wives kiss your husbands, husbands kiss your wives. Parents kiss your children. Children kiss your parents. One extra time is all I ask, for you never know when it could be your last. 
 
Though my dad is with the Lord now,  I can already feel him watching over us.....protecting, guiding, teaching, and loving us just as he did when he was here.
My dad sought the Truth and I believe he found it. The grin he had on his face shortly after he passed was a testament to that...it was his first glimpse of heaven. God Bless

I miss you so much Dad

Carol,  We were so sorry to hear of Tom's passing.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.  All our love, Sheila and Carl Polli

Dear Carol & family,
Only found out about Tom, several days ago, when Tonya (Rumors) told my Wayne of Tom's passing.  My heart is broken for you, but please know that my thoughts & many prayers are with you.
I am so sorry that I did not know of this, as I would have been to the service at BRCC.
Love,
Gail
Boca Raton Community Church

My dearest Husband, Thom......my heart is just broken. We used to jest about "you can't leave me first" back and forth. Well, you reneged. You left first and honey believe me when I say you were the lucky one. This is way too hard. I don't want to do this anymore. I want you to suddenly appear beside me holding my hand again. It hurts too much. I miss you and am sooooo thankful to have had such a wonderful man to love me. You were so sweet, caring, nuturing, cute, forgiving, fun loving and such a wonderful husband. God is lucky also because He got you for an eternity.  Love, Me

Carol & family,

I was saddened to hear of Thom's passing.  While it has been several years since we had any contact I often think back on the great experiences I had working at the pharmacy.  Thom taught me more than the basics of running a business he taught me how to treat people with respect and compassion.  I owe much of what I have been able to accomplish to Thom's willingness to take me under his wing and provide me with opportunities to grow.  There is no doubt Thom is a person who left this world a much better place than he found it.
May the many great memories help you through this difficult time.

Brian Smith, Doylestown PA

Thom was an amazing man and he touched the lives of so many.  We are all here for you Carol, Kristen, Danielle, and TJ.  Colleen

It's been a pleasure to know Thom for the past 6 years. Haveing worked with him and spending most of my day with him he has inspired me and touched my life in so many ways. I know I will miss his so very much. My prayers are with the whole family at this time or sorrow.

We are all so sad to hear about Tom's passing. His warmth and strength will be sorely missed. I will always be thankful for Tom and Carol taking such good care of Terra. They opened their wonderful home to her and treated her like their daughter. She truly loves both of you and all her extended family. I am sorry I will not be in Boca Raton for Tom's memorial service but know that you are all in my thoughts and prayers. We will miss you dearly. Love sharon and Terra

I send my sympathy to the Dildine family and all the kid's friends that Thom took under his wing's. Working side-by-side with Thom for more than 23 years I got to know what a great man he was! Alway's compassionate for the customer's, it's like they were an extended family. Work was alot of fun but we were serious about what we did. All those year's I've only seen him get mad twice(WOW)... I know my life is richer for him being in it!!!!   THANKS THOM

Carol & Family:
I am so sorry to hear about Thom , I am very lucky to say I worked in the pharmacy for Thom & Carol years ago not only was Thom my boss he was also a friend he always asked how my childred were doing, I remember when T.J  went to college to become a pharmacist he was so proud, he always had stories of his children what they were doing who was getting married & having babies he was a very proud father and loved his family.
Thom will be missed by many.Carol take care of yourself in these hard times.
I am sorry I will not be able to be with you at the services as I will be filling prescriptions know I am there in thoughts & prayer. 
My sincere condolence to the Dildine family.

Uncle Thom was a man I admired for his hard work, selfless generosity, and the love he had for his family.  His loss leaves a deep hole in my heart, as well as the many others whose lives he touched.  To have known him, and been able to call him my uncle, was a great honor.  My heart and prayers go out to Aunt Carol, Kristen, Danielle, TJ, and the rest of his family and friends.

Brianovich, that's what he called me. What a great man and what a great family! He was like a father to me growing up and TJ was my best friend.I feel great just remembering all the times we shared and blessed that I was able to spend so much time with them/him growning up. There is not enough space on this computer to write how wonderful a person he was and words wouldn't do justice either so I'll just some it up that Thom Sr (Mr. D) was one in a billion. RIP

Thom Sr. was like a second father to me growning up and TJ was my best friend. There's not enough space on this computer for me to explain how great a man he was so I'll just sum it up that he was one in a billion. RIP

Brian Hamilton

Dear Kristen, Danny and T.J,
Do you have any idea how many stories I have heard about you guys over the past 30 yrs? When I ran in the store to pick up meds Tom always had something new to tell me about you. Somebody finishing school, sombody getting married. somebody having a baby (twins ???) He was so proud of his little family.
He was a great man, a good friend, and above all he loved you guys  so much. TJ he was especially proud of you and the way you have  handled your responsibilities at the store. That store was his dream, I know cause I was there on opening day.   Take good care of Mama and God bless you all!!!

Dear Carol and Entire Family:
Don and I are saddened by the passing of Thom. We found him to be a very warm and caring man. Carole especially remembers the times in the casino in Las Vegas - so many times we laughed about our slot machines not working for us.  We were always able to chat about alot of different things including Pharmacy.  We will miss you Thom.  May God be good to you. Love...

Dear Carol, Christen, Danielle and TJ,
Thom was a dear friend and neighbor for so many years.  He was always going the extra mile for everyone.  I am so blessed to have had him in my life.  He was taken way too soon.  All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.  May your memories be of the good times.  There were a lot of them. May God Bless all of you.

To me, you were my second Dad..someone who I could look up to...someone who could share with me the memory of my Gram...you supported me and gave of yourself unconditionally not only to me but to so many...I loved when you would come hear me sing...you always beamed with pride! That made me feel so special....but that was just the way you were...you were selfless...and so quick to share a smile...You had funny little names for us...you made me laugh..I will always cherish the feeling of knowing that I had a family to turn to in good and bad times....I will always remember working at the pharmacy and how even when you were busy...you were sooooooo kind and attentive...I am so grateful I had a hug from you three weeks ago and I was able tell you I loved you.....You made the world a better place....You will forever be in my heart. Mrs. D, Kristen, Danielle and TJ...I want you to know how special Mr D was to me...how he will never be forgotten and how much I love you all!

Mr. D- thats what I always called you.  Some of my BEST memories are of going with the Didline family every year to the keys to celebrate Mr and Mrs. D's anniversary!  I remember Dan, Kris and I coming up with our "Happy Anniversary" dance for you both.  I loved being a party of your family and working at the pharmacy...I cant believe you are gone..but look forward to seeing you again in the heavens!  You knew me before I was even born! ( i think) or pretty close to it.  YOU ARE SO MISSED!

Tom was such a dear and special person.  I've known him since we were in junior high school and our families were neighbors (we even shared a 4-party telephone line for a few years - a fondly-recalled and "colorful" experience).  Since hearing of Tom's passing, I've been reveling in many treasured and happy memories of him in bittersweet days gone by.  They say that "only the good die young," and our dear Tom is gone way too soon.  Know that my thoughts and prayers are with and for Tom, Carol, their children, and their lovely extended families.  His adoring friends and loved ones here in Arvada share in my grief and, while we wish we could be in Boca Raton for Tom's memorial service, please know we will all be there in spirit. May God bless Tom and all of us, and hold us gently in the palm of His hand forever.  Life is so fragile.  With heartfelt love, Judi Grace

OBITUARY

Thomas Dildine

21 April, 1943 – 22 May, 2010

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