Thomas Lee Holmes

After living a long and joyful life, we regret to announce the passing of Thomas Holmes, at Resthaven Lodge, Sidney BC on Thursday, January 4, 2017. Tom was predeceased by his parents, his brothers William (Jean) and Albert Holmes (Mary), and sister Margaret Cheal (William).

Born in England on July 23, 1927, Tom grew up in Newcastle Upon Tyne and later lived in Pinner, going to school and working. He served as a member of the Royal Marines before moving to Canada in the early 1950’s with his best friend Michael Glass. He was never married. His working life was spent in Toronto, and he retired from the North York District School Board in 1992. Tom was visiting his sister in British Columbia in June of 1993 when he unfortunately suffered a massive stroke. After the stroke Tom was relocated from Keswick Ontario to Resthaven Lodge in Sidney to be closer to his sister.

Uncle Tom loved to travel and take photos, he loved to drive and to see the world. He seemed to enjoy playing with us all when we were children – building snowmen, even ice skating on outdoor rinks; as well as fishing and playing cards with the adults. He was fun loving and enjoyed being with family and friends. Throughout our early teen years, he took his Canadian nieces and nephews (surrogates also) to England to visit the family in England and to show us all a bit of the world. Uncle Tom could be very much a tease and a jokester and enjoyed playing cards – cribbage and euchre were very popular during his visits to our home.

Tom was always a gentleman and the stroke did not affect his personality. Even though he lost his ability to speak, he managed to communicate his needs and remained very happy. His lust for life never left, as he was often found riding his scooter up and down Beacon Avenue in Sidney every chance he got saying, “Hello”, “Maybe, Maybe”, and blowing a kiss or two to anyone who would smile at him. Resthaven Lodge was his home for 24 years. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the Staff and Care Givers at Resthaven Lodge that worked there from 1993 to today for taking such good care of Uncle Tom while he lived there. We really appreciated all the time you spent with Tom. He truly was very happy.

He will be greatly missed by his nieces and nephews -- Pamela Cheal, Carol Vastag, William Cheal and Diana Lauzon (and their families) in Canada and Mark Holmes, Jeff Holmes, Neil Holmes, Richard Holmes and Terry Holmes (and their families) in Great Britain. He will also be greatly missed by his best friend Michael Glass and Michael’s children--Marie Glass, Patricia Senecal, Donna Glass, Paul Gerard Glass and Andrew Glass (and their families) to whom he was a surrogate uncle.

Uncle Tom, throughout the years you taught us so much about selflessness and compassion. You will be dearly missed. Please rest in peace and perhaps ‘maybe’ will no longer be a necessary word in your vocabulary. We love you!

A Memorial Service will be held at Resthaven Lodge, 2281 Mills Road, Sidney, British Columbia on January 20th, 2018 at 2:00pm.