DeGurse, Thomas

May 13, 1940 - July 18, 2013

DeGURSE, Thomas “Tom” Patrick – Peacefully surrounded by his loving family at Victoria Hospital, London,Ontario, on Thursday July 18, 2013, at the age of 73. Beloved husband of Mary (Gerrits) for 43 years. Loving father of Susan (James) Aylward, Bonnie (Brad) Dey and Louise (Mark) Falcioni. Adored and cherished “PaPa” to Graeme and Heather Aylward, Hannah, Ava and Vivian Dey, and Daliah and Mecayla Falcioni. Baby brother of Mary (Bert 1991) McLaughlin, Joe (Joanne) DeGurse, Teresa (Don) Young, and Jim (Stephanie) DeGurse. Dear brother-in-law of Gerry (Jean) Gerrits, John (Henriette) Gerrits, Geraldine (Bob) Crombeen, Bill (Linda) Gerrits, Joanne (Joe) DeGurse, Tony (Merla) Gerrits, and Gertie (Robert) Martin. Also loved by many nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends. Predeceased by his parents Joseph (Frank 1964) and Helen (nee Doyle) (1988). Tom was a kind-hearted, wonderful and hard-working man. His fun loving personality, warm smile and laugh will be forever remembered. Tom was a farmer all of his life alongside his brother Joe, on the farm where they were born.

VISITATION
Family and friends will be received at STEADMAN BROTHERS FUNERAL CHAPELS, Brigden, Ontario, on Sunday July 21, 2013 from 2:00-4:00 and 7:00-9:00pm.

FUNERAL MASS
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph and St. Charles Roman Catholic Church in Corunna, Ontario, on Monday July 22, 2013 at 10:30am.

DONATIONS
Sympathy may be expressed through donations to the St. Joseph’s Hospice of Sarnia-Lambton or to The Inn Of The Good Shepherd, Sarnia.

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Condolences (15)

  1. Mary, Louise, Bonnie and Sue,

    Our sincere condolences on the sudden loss of a wonderful husband, father and grandfather. We know you will all miss him terribly and hope that you find support from family and friends during this difficult time. Please give us a call so we can get together soon.
    Love,
    Patricia and Mario Belvedere

  2. So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Our thoughts & prayers are with your family. Mike & Helen MacDonald

  3. Dear Susan, James, Graeme and Heather,

    We are so sorry to learn of the loss of your wonderful father and Papa. We know he will be greatly missed.
    Unfortunately we cannot be there with you but know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

    With much love,
    The Wilkinsons
    Xx

  4. Susan and family,
    So deeply sorry for the sudden loss of your father and Graeme and Heather’s “Papa”. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this most difficult time. Although I didn’t know your father, knowing you, I can imagine what a loving, caring and kind dad and papa he must have been. May The Lord help you and your family through your time of grieving. Take comfort in knowing that you have each other as well as the support of family and friends. Take time to remind each other of the fond memories you have of your dad and papa.
    With utmost condolences,
    The Gaipo family

  5. Mary,
    On behalf of Margaret, Johanna and myself, our sincere sympathies on the passing of your brother Thomas. I’m sure he will be greatly missed.
    Your neighbours,

  6. Our sincerest sympathy in the passing of Tom. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this very sad time for you all. Cherish all the wonderful memories you have of the good times

  7. Dearest Louise, Mark, Mary and Family,

    At this time of great sorrow, I send you heartfelt condolences for the loss of Tom – a gentle man, salt of the earth. His presence will be deeply missed by all who know him and love him. Tom will be forever in your hearts with every thought and memory of him. His legacy lives on through each of you. May the support of those around you and those thinking of you bring you comfort in your time of grief.

    My thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathy are with all of you.

    Claudette Lachance

  8. Dear Mary & Family:
    Unbelievably sad news to read of Tom’s passing. My memories of Tom are of a very gentle man, with lots of smiles and quiet words. Though years have passed and we lost touch, it hasn’t changed those early wonderful memories of a very good man. My sincerest condolences to you…..
    Mary, I want you to know that you are in my deepest thoughts at this difficult time.
    Sincerely, Marie Kemmis

  9. Mary and Family: Sorry to hear of your loss with Tom’s passing. May all the happy memories carry you through this sorrowful time. Wishing you and the family strength and peace. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers during these difficult days. Sincerely Cor & Gerda

  10. To the Degurse Family;
    Nancy and I wish to express our sincere condolences at this time. A loss like this sure leaves a big hole in the family. You all will be in our prayers and thoughts.
    Ron & Nancy Whitman

  11. Turn down a Bauer, lose for an hour. I did, and I did – much to Tom’s amusement. The twinkle in his eye and his infectious laugh will stay with me forever.
    As I sit under our DeGurse quilt in the Australian winter many fond memories of Tom and my times at the farm are front of mind.
    Mary, Joe and Joanne, take care of each other. You, Tom and your extended family are the most generous, kind and welcoming group I’ve ever known – let them be with you and let them help you in this difficult time.
    I know there will be great sadness and disbelief in all your homes, but over time celebration will take a firm hold; celebration of a life well lived, one without pretention; celebration of a fabulous family, of devotion to Mary; and celebration of Tom’s obvious immense pride in his family. A special man, and half of a very special team, the wonderful “Tom and Mary.”
    I shall be forever grateful to have known you both and to have had the opportunity to be a small part of your lives. Mary, Sue, Bonnie and Louise our thoughts and prayers are with you and everyone else in the family. Be proud, and stay strong. Love David & Carmen Kiggins

  12. Dear Mary, Louise and family. Our deepest sympathy in the passing of your beloved husband, father and grandfather. We were fortunate to meet Tom once at their farm and it was a pleasure to have met he and Mary. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most difficult time. Sincerely , Donny and Ginger D”Orazio.

  13. Mark & Louise and the DeGurse Family.–We are saddened to learn of the passing of Tom. Although we only met him twice, we remember a smiling, welcoming man, and knowing Louise, as we do, and knowing that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, he must have been a wonderful husband, father and grandpa. Indeed you will miss him but we encourage you to talk about him, those funny things he said, those loveable times when his very presence lit up the room. Yes, there will be tears, that’s O.K., laugh a lot too and draw strength from each other during this time and the days to follow. Know that even though many miles separate us, you are thought of, prayed for and loved.

  14. To the DeGurse family,
    We want to express our deepest condolences to each of you over the sudden death of Tom. We can’t even begin to imagine how difficult this must be for you. We hope that you find some comfort in knowing that our thoughts and prayers are with each of you at this time. We will always remember Tom for his warm smile, gentle, and kindhearted spirit.
    With love and prays,
    Michael, Cecilia, James, Sarah, Matthew & Adrian Falcioni

  15. My Uncle Tom was one of those men who enjoyed the simple things in life. Always happy, he spent his life farming on the very farm he was born on. He found the perfect partner in my Aunt Mary; they complimented each other so well. His laughter was something that could fill a room with joy. A proud man, his greatest accomplishment was definitely his brilliant and beautiful daughters, Susan, Bonnie and Louise. But the ones who probably brought him the most joy were his beautiful grandchildren who affectionately knew him as “PaPa”. For them he held a very special place in his heart that only grew bigger as his grandchildren joined his family. Memories of him will always bring a smile to my face. I will always miss him but treasure that he was such an influential part of my life. I love you “Unc” and my children will always remember their “Uncle Thomas”. Rest peacefully.
    Joeleen, Mark, Cadence, Kiara and Mylah MacDonald