Thomas Andrew Hazel

Thomas Andrew Hazel, 68, passed away Wednesday, January 18, 2012 after a decade long battle with liver disease and cancer, with his wife and family by his side. After his initial diagnosis in 2001, Tom enjoyed many good years of travel, golf, motorcycle riding and boating to the Bahamas with his friends and family. This was accomplished by his sheer determination to live life to its fullest, as well as the excellent care provided by the Mayo Clinic.

After his birth on March 15, 1943, at Portsmouth, Virginia Naval Hospital, to Carl and Mildred Crews Hazel, Tom and his mother returned to their Florida roots, while his father continued his military service. Tom was a graduate of Edgewater High School, Orlando and upon graduation from the University of South Florida, he joined the United States Marine Corps.

Tom retired from the Marine Corps with the rank of Lt. Colonel, having served a total of 20 years of active and reserve duty. His service included a tour of duty in Vietnam. He remained active in the local Marine Corps Reserve Unit and served as President of the Marine Corps Reserve Officers Association where he worked diligently on behalf of the Toys for Tots program. In September 2010, Tom was honored by the Marine Corps for four decades of leadership, service and support of the advancement of his Country, Corps and Community with the Non sibi, Sed Patriae “Not for Self, But for Country” award.

Tom was predeceased by both parents as well as his half brother, Jim Hazel. He is survived by his wife of 18 years, Theresa Greene Hazel; sisters, Pam (Ken) Murdock and Vicki (Andy) Dobbs. Children, Angela (Keith) Goldsmith; Curtis (Jenny) Hazel and the mother of his children, Mary Ann Hazel, as well as Stepchildren, Kevin (fiancé Cheri) Greene and Chip (Ashley) Greene. Five grandchildren: Tyler, Drew and Evan Goldsmith; McKenna and Jackson Hazel and two step grandchildren: Madison and Fenn Greene. He is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as his special aunt, Rosie Hazel of Bloomington, Indiana and uncle, Pete Hazel of Kissimmee, Florida and his “favorite” (only!) sister-in-law, Susan Cosper of Greensboro, NC. Tom is also survived by his faithful furry companion, Daisy, who remained loyal and by his side until his passing.

Tom moved to Jacksonville and joined Liberty Mutual Insurance Company as a sales executive in 1969. He continued his insurance career with several local independent agencies before forming Greene-Hazel & Associates, in 1984, with his partner, Theresa Greene. During his insurance career, Tom was very active in many local charitable, civic and social organizations including the Jacksonville University Council; UNF Foundation and served as President of Sales and Marketing Executives of Jacksonville and President of the River Garden Foundation in 2000. In 1992 Tom was recognized as Executive of the year by the Insurance Professionals of Northeast Florida. He was a member in good standing of the Rotary Club of San Jose and currently served on the Executive Committee of the USO of Greater Jacksonville. Tom was an avid “Gator” and proud of his support of The University of Florida as a “Bull Gator”, while continuing to also support his Alma Mater, USF.

His family would like to express their gratitude to Dr. Raj Satyanarayana of Mayo Clinic for his care over the past ten years as well as his other physicians including Dr. Arthur Browning. During the past 3 years Tom enjoyed the company of his “daytime companions” Lisa O’Brien, Laura McGuffey and Rita Thaggard. Special recognition and gratitude go to his nephew, Matthew Dobbs who remained by his side during his last days.Family Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 22nd at Hardage-Giddens Funeral Home, 11801 San Jose Boulevard between the hours of 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral Services will be conducted at Mandarin Presbyterian Church, 12001 Mandarin Road at 2 p.m. on Monday, January 23rd with burial at Oaklawn Cemetery. The Reverends, Kevin Pound and Richard Loman, will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the following charities:

River Garden Hebrew Home, 11401 Old St. Augustine Road, Jacksonville 32258

Marine Corps Toys for Tots, 3728 Phillips Highway, Jacksonville, 32207

Children’s Home Society of Florida, 3027 San Diego Road, Jacksonville 32207

Mandarin Presbyterian Church, 12001 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville, 32223.