Tom was a creative writer, the author of novels, short stories, poetry, plays, dinner theatre, revues and radio dramas.
Tom was a communicator. He wrote newspaper and magazine articles,training manuals, promotional brochures, newsletter, educational films, local histories.
He had 13 books published. His novel, "Death Games", was the first action-adventure novel to make the N.Y. Times bestseller list. (For his novels published by Gold Eagle he used the series' pseudonyms Don Pendleton and Dick Stivers.) As well as reaching enormous Canadian and American audiences, many of his action-adventure novels were translated and widely sold in Japan and Spain.
His legacy includes three as yet unpublished novels which explore modern ethical issues, and a considerable body of poetry.
Some of Tom's many other accomplishments include:
* a photographic inventory of the historic buildings of rural Simcoe County ("Home and Homestead")
* wrote the popular radio series "Sounds Like Music"
* wrote a radio series for the CBC celebrating Canadian authors
* editor of the East End Express, a Toronto newspaper
* taught courses in creative writing at several colleges and high schools
* created and taught The Novel Tutor, a correspondence course
* founder of the Innisfil Historical Document Centre
* received an award for volunteerism from the Ontario government
* recognized by the Township of Innisfil for his work as a volunteer
* received both Canada Council and Ontario Arts Council grants
* an international chess champion with many awards and trophies
* past president of both the Innisfil Historical Society and the Huronia Chess Club
As well as his love of reading and writing, Tom's passions included chess, computer programming, photography, wine making, listening to jazz and classical music, dogs, wood working, natural and social history, bread making, logic puzzles and Bible study. He had a deep sense of spirituality and was an advocate for, and active practitioner of applied Christianity. He was an adherent of Silent Unity and very active in St. John's United Church, Victoria Harbour, serving as chair of the board and organizer of groups for Bible study and mission statement review.
He grew up in Winnipeg and lived, at various times, in Saskatoon, Nova Scotia, Montreal and, in Ontario, in Toronto, Cookstown and Victoria Harbour. He married Janet Brown in 1962.
Tom was a gentle, caring person, always generous, gracious, forgiving, kind and thoughtful. He was quick to befriend anyone in need of support and throughout his life his top priority was to facilitate access to opportunities for others.
Although never free from medical challenges, Tom refused to let illness define him, opting instead to revel in life, love and laughter. His personal mission statement was to make a positive difference in the lives of others both through his writing and through the way he lived.
Consistent with a lifetime of generosity and concern for others, he donated his body to medical research.
-----------------------------
Bibliography: Tom's book titles:
Five Rings of Fire (Gold Eagle; 1984)
Deathbites (Gold Eagle; 1984)
The World War III Game (Gold Eagle; 1986)
Blood Gambit (Gold Eagle; 1986)
The Iron God (Gold Eagle;1986)
Firecross (Gold Eagle; 1987)
Death Ride (Gold Eagle; 1987)
Death Games (Gold Eagle; 1985)
Hell's Gate (Gold Eagle; 1986)
With Love, Dale Pinnock (Shagnasti; 1988)
The Last Book of the Last Prophet (Poetry Toronto; 1976)
The Ice Industry at Bell Ewart (Innisfil Historical Society; 1982)
People Helping People (Innisfil Credit Union; 1994)
For information on Tom's radio, television, drama, poetry and article writing credits, please see the article "A variety of writing accomplishments" in the Memorabilia section of this memorial site.