Thomas Ambrose Caulfield

Our precious Tom slipped away in his sleep during the early hours of Saturday, May 11, 2013. He was born on January 17, 1934 in St. Paul MN to Dominic and Ella Caulfield, parents who immigrated from Ireland in the early 1900s and whose names are inscribed on the Ellis Island Wall of Honor. Tom was extremely proud of his Irish heritage. As a young man in St. Paul Tom excelled in boxing and was a Golden Gloves champion at the age of 16. He joined the Army Air Force (as it was then known) and spent the next 4 years in Texas, Okinawa and Michigan. After his discharge he married Jackie and moved to California where he was a member of Plumber’s Local 393 for the next 32 years. Tom was very active in the Knights of Columbus Council 4981 and spent the years 1989 through 1990 as the Grand Knight. He enjoyed golfing, houseboating and Irish music, but, most of all, just being with family and friends. He loved to travel and saw Thailand, Morocco, Australia, Japan, Malaysia, China, and most of Europe. He was humbled by his good luck of being able to see so much of the world, but insisted that there was no place better than our own United States and no state more beautiful than California. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Jackie and 4 children, Jackie (Peter), Vickie (Jim), Kathleen (Ed), and Tom (Kelly). He also leaves 8 adored grandchildren; Daniel, Gretchen, Hilary, Gerald, Kevin, Diana, Robin and Thomas. All of us will miss his generous spirit, kind heart, sense of humor, common sense and all-around overwhelming presence. He was so much fun. There will be a memorial mass on Wednesday, May 15 at 11am, at Queen of Apostles Church, 4911 Moorpark Ave. in San Jose, with a luncheon immediately following, at Mariani’s Restaurant, 2500 El Camino Real in Santa Clara. In lieu of flowers, if you choose, please make a donation to the Cedar Creek Employee Resource Fund, 12545 National Ave., Los Gatos, CA 95032, where Tom was cared for with love and compassion during the last months of his life. We also thank VITAS Hospice care for the help and concern accorded to Tom and our family at this sad time.