Lives Remembered

After an 80-year journey guided by a lucky star, Thomas B. Gill’s sojourn on this earth ended when he died peacefully in his sleep on Wednesday night, September 30, 2009. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on March 30, 1929, the fifth of six children, Tom grew up on the west side of Chicago. His determination and work ethic were shaped early in life. His mother died when he was a young child. At the age of 14 he worked in the local A&P grocery store, and played a key role in running the family household.

Tom attended Proviso High School in Maywood, Illinois. He played guard on the varsity basketball team, competed in the state tournament in tennis, was president of the National Honor Society, and was a beloved participant at high school reunions every year. It was at Proviso that he met the love of his life – Mary Elizabeth.

Tom matriculated at Cornell University in 1947 as a McMullen Scholarship recipient. He completed a very grueling five-year program and graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering, all the while working more than one job to make ends meet.

Tom and Mary Elizabeth married in December 1950. Tom finished his studies at Cornell in 1952 and went to work for Procter & Gamble in Cincinnati, Ohio. After a two-year commitment to Air Force ROTC at Edwards Air Force Base, Tom returned to Cincinnati for a 40-year career in manufacturing management.

Over his career, Tom made his mark as a leader and mentor with Mary Elizabeth steadfastly at his side. Theytraveled to all corners of the United States and to Canada. Son Wayne, was born in Cincinnati in 1952; son Tommy, in California in 1954; daughter Donna, in Cincinnati in 1956 and son John in California in 1967. Tom had postings with P&G in Cincinnati, Ohio, Boston, Massachusetts, Dallas, Texas, Augusta, Georgia, Sacramento, California, Kansas City, Kansas and Toronto, Canada.

Tom retired from P&G in 1992 and moved with Mary Elizabeth to the Gulf Coast of Florida – first to Marco Island, and then to Naples. Thesame year, Tom purchased a cabin on the Gunflint Trail near Grand Marais.

“Pop’s Cabin” was on the west side of Gunflint Lake, and was the “slice of nature” that he always wanted. It was just a short paddle from the Quetico Provincial Park in Canada – where he took his first canoe trip as a Sea Scout at age 16 in 1945. During a 25-year period beginning in 1968, he took 15 more trips to the Quetico with at least one of his children paddling with him on each trip. After spending all or part of 18 summers,

Tom was a fixture of the

Gunflint Lake community.

Tom will be remembered as a generous and caring man. He was honored this summer as a “Foremost Benefactor” at his beloved Cornell University, having endowed a McMullen Scholarship. Immensely proud of his family, he took tremendous vicarious pleasure in all of their accomplishments. Tom became the patriarch of his extended family, giving financial and emotional support at every level.

One of his proudest moments occurred this past summer when his grandson, Brian Thomas (Donna’s first son) became a legacy graduate of Cornell. Brian’s younger brother, Greg, will follow as a legacy graduate next year.

A genuinely caring and generous man, he funded the secondary education of all of his grandchildren. Along with Mary Elizabeth he supported numerous charitable causes.

Tom will be remembered as a loving husband, a caring father, a true mentor and leader. A noted story teller and world traveler, he circled the globe. Included among his many travels were a meeting with a king in the desert of the Middle East, a highway encounter with the Guardia Civil in Spain, and the distinction of having traveled almost every mile of railway in North America. With his engaging spirit and enormous smile he opened hearts and doors around the world. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Arrangements for a memorial celebrating his life are pending. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Avow Hospice Center in Naples, Florida – www.avowhospice.org.