Thomas Joseph Fay

Dr. Thomas “Tom” J. Fay, N.D, passed from this earth on August 17. Dr. Fay was a naturopathic physician practicing in Encinitas and San Marcos, CA, for about twenty years. He dedicated his practice to helping patients with acute and chronic conditions through Choosing Nature, his naturopathic practice.

He was born the son of the late James P. Fay, Sr., and Doris C. (Ireland) Fay on July 5, 1953, in Norwalk, CT, were he graduated from Norwalk High School in 1972. Shortly after graduation Tom enlisted in the US Marine Corps., with his best friend and fellow ‘72 NHS graduate John Campbell. John wanted to join the Air Force; but Tom wanted to be a Marine having made friends with the local recruiter, while playing poker with him at the recruiting center. Soon Tom and John were on a bus to Camp Pendleton for basic training.

Dr. Fay earned his bachelor’s degree from George Fox University in Portland Oregon in 1994 and then his master’s and doctorate in 1998 from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ.

Dr. Tom was always entrepreneurial, having established Ultimate Carpet and Interior Design in Ridgefield, CT., Leucadia Naturopathic Clinic, and Choosing Nature both of Encinitas. In addition, he developed a line of supplements to enhance his practice and to benefit his patients.

Tom was a retired US Marine and developed his passion for naturopathy as he followed the path of his wife Judy (Madeira) Fay, a nurse, whom he married in 1980, through her prognosis of breast cancer to her death in 1995. Two children resulted from this union, Lisa (Fay) Gatton and Anthony Fay, both of San Diego. Tom was married earlier to Chizuko Higa of Okinawa and one child resulted from this union, Michelle (Fay) Burrill of Storrs Mansfield, CT. Tom was the proud grandfather of five young boys, Aiden and Harrison Gatton and Devon, Alexander and Adam Burrill. He is also survived by two sons-in-law Thomas Gatton and Matthew Burrill.

Dr. Fay leaves behind his widow, Tracy Collins, whom he married in 2008.

He also leaves behind his siblings: James Fay, Jr. and his wife Mary of Keene, NH; Mary-Ann Ancker and her husband Walter of Norwalk, CT; William Fay of Darien, Georgia; Patricia Collins and her husband Gerold of Marlow, NH; and Nancy Cogliandro and her husband Chris of Dublin, NH.

Memorial Service: August 31, MCAS Miramar Chapel, 45549 Bauer Rd. Building 5632, SD, CA 92145 Service Time 10:30 AM– 12:00 Noon (valid ID required for MCAS base admission) Funeral will follow (1:00 PM ) at the Miramar National Cemetery 5795 Nobel Dr., SD, CA 92122

Miramar Memorial Services (http://www.dignitymemorial.com/miramar-memorial-services/en-us/index.page)

An Irish Memorial will follow. All are welcome.