Thomas McAllister

Overnight on July 15, 2022, following a lengthy battle with COPD, Tom McAllister passed away at Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay. He will be forever missed by Susan Brown, his spouse, companion and caregiver of 27 years.

Like so many, Tom started smoking as a teenager and continued until he finally quit in 1986 but, by then [probably long before], the damage had been done and, despite decades of taking medication to slow the progression of COPD, including spending the final 4 ½ years of his life on full-time oxygen supplementation, Tom has lost his battle with that gut-wrenching disease.

Tom emigrated from Scotland with his mother, Agnes, and his younger brother, Peter, in 1950 to join his father, Thomas Sr., who relocated in 1948 in response to an employment opportunity for stone masons to come to Canada to help build the original football stadium on the CNE grounds.

As a very young man, Tom apprenticed under the expertise of his father. For nearly fifty years, he owned and operated his own business, laterally known as T. McAllister Masonry, employing others to complete both large and small commercial and residential projects throughout southern Ontario and beyond. Notably, over time, Tom became one of the few tradespeople skilled in converting the small gas burning fireplaces typically found in early-Toronto homes into efficient wood burning ‘Rumford’ fireplaces and, even after Tom lost his central vision to macular degeneration, he continued to cut and install the Credit Valley stone associated with homes located in Toronto’s Kingsway district.

Most notably, Tom always acknowledged that his life would have been so very different, and not in a good way, but for his relationship with Alcoholics Anonymous. He, together with his then wife, Lillian [2005], became Alateen Group Sponsors, and Tom credits his work with these young people for reinforcing his will to continue through the balance of his life as a “person in recovery”. In 2021, Tom celebrated his 50th year affiliated with Alcoholics Anonymous.

Tom retired in 2002 and moved, together with his spouse, Susan, to Victoria Place, a retirement community on Pigeon Lake where residents work together to, wherever possible, perform tasks required to maintain the extensive shared facilities. Tom not only helped out when and where he could but joined in with as many activities as he could fit in including lawn bowling, golf, bocce ball, shuffleboard, horseshoes, crib, and euchre making new friends with each activity – friends that are so extraordinarily supportive of each other.

Tom and his first wife, Donna Lacombe [Keith Tonner], had four children. Their first born, Susan, died in her first year [1961]. Tom is survived by their children, Brenda, Kevin and David, their seven grandchildren and their families, and his brother Peter’s family, Peter having predeceased him earlier this year.

In accordance with Tom’s wishes, cremation has occurred. There will be a celebration of Tom’s life at a later date.

If desired, donations can be made in Tom’s memory to CNIB to support their guide dog training program.