Thomas Banner Aldrich

Thomas "Tom” Aldrich went to be with our Heavenly Father on June 30, 2020, surrounded by his family at his home. He was a lifelong resident of the Williamsburg/Toano area. He was born on August 20, 1953 in Williamsburg, and graduated from York High School in 1971. In April of 1972, he married his high school sweetheart and beloved wife. After residing in Williamsburg for several years, he moved his young family to Toano where he lived for 39 years. He retired from the Naval Weapons Station in Yorktown in 2004 after 28 years of service. Tom enjoyed being with his family and friends. He was a man of few words, but his laughter and personality were infectious. He loved to tell jokes and share stories from his past. He always had something witty to say to give a good laugh. He enjoyed history, ancestry, and showed pride in his heritage. He also enjoyed fishing, metal detecting, being outdoors, and had a soft spot for animals. His greatest passion was stock car racing. After briefly racing his own car, he devoted his time and energy to helping others race. He was a genuinely loving man who always put others before himself, and did not hesitate to lend a helping hand. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Hollis and Cholene Aldrich; and brother, Hollis “Skip” Aldrich, Jr. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Toni Aldrich of Toano; two daughters, Shay Robertson and Kristi Ammons (Jeff) of Williamsburg; six grandchildren, Trevor, Brandon and Kelsey Robertson, and Hunter, Kara and Myles Ammons of Williamsburg; sister-in-law, Mary Aldrich of Vilas, NC; and godson, Justin Howell of Christiansburg, VA. A memorial service will be held at 3pm on Wednesday July 15, 2020 at Nelsen Funeral Home, Williamsburg. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s honor to the Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Rd., Williamsburg, VA 23185 and/or the American Lung Association, 1200 Hosford Street, Suite 101, Hudson, WI 54016-9316. Online condolences may be shared at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com.