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All Personal Notes for Tom Arnett

Tom was a wonderful person, always looking for ways to help others. He was quick to recognize and acknowledge others' strengths and talents, to encourage and support everyone he encountered, whether in a writers' group, in a classroom, in the church, the chess clubs or the community.
Added by janet


Tom was a wonderful person, a friend to all that knew him. I would like to say he would do what ever he could to help someone in need. Family or friend, it didn't matter to him. I will miss you a lot
Added by Sean Foley


I have known Tom Arnett for more than two decades. He was an inspiration to all aspiring writers, including myself. Because of Tom I became a successful poet, freelance journalist and Reader's Digest magazine writer. Tom's integrity and will power were immense. He religiously attended our monthly writers meetings in Elmvale. As the cancer took hold of him we watched his health deteriorate and yet he never complained. He always joked and made us laugh. Now when I think of him, I only remember that indomitable spirit of his which forever triumphed over all of life's adversities. There is no death, for the memory of Tom lives on in my memory and those of others.
Added by Indra Sharma


Tom started as my teacher, became a mentor and finally a dear and treasured friend. His encouragement, his uniique sense of humor, his ability to turn my worst day around with a joke and a few words of encouragement have been and will be missed for a long, long time. Thank you for taking me under your wing, Tom. It was a bright and wonderful place to be.
Added by Marilyn Lamb, Barrie


I knew Tom Arnett for over 20 years as a fellow writer and college teacher. I also regarded him as a friend. Tom was an accomplished professional, a good writer who achieved remarkable success and a fine teacher who guided many aspiring authors. Having a book on the New York Times bestseller list is a distinction very few can claim. Having many people grateful for your inspired leadership is also a rare achievement. Tom was truly an impressive person. I feel privileged to have known him.
Added by Heather Kirk


Instead of writing about Tom's goodness, I thought I'd share a memory that unexpectedly overwhelmed me. This time of year all the Xmas candies appear on the store shelves & I purchased a box without even thinking about it. When I unpacked the box from my groceries, I was suddenly transported back to a very frustrating winter day. Tom & I were in his top floor office struggling with a flat scene we were trying to revive, but the right words would not flow. We tried all the different writing exercises, to no avail. Then with a mischievous smile, Tom declared that maybe we should take our cue from Hemingway & hit the booze. He abruptly left the room, leaving me to wonder what on earth he was up to. After a few moments, Tom came back with a box of Chocolate Brandy Beans. We had a "drink" each & after a good chuckle, we managed to fix the writing passage. That for me, was the essence of Tom Arnett. A writer, a patient teacher, an intellectual & a humorist. I miss him but will never forget.
Added by Leah O'Shea


Tom was a very good man; I loved to chat with him and share moments of 'special' times. The world is a sadder place without him but his spirit will remain forever from within the pages of his many books, articles and notes.
Added by Carole Greenwood


Tom Arnett was the best neighbour I ever had. And that includes my living in five Canadian provinces and three different countries. I was stuck in the middle of completing a masters thesis and was faced with putting it on a computer 20 years ago. Often being stuck as to what should be the next move, I started talking about it with Tom over the back fence. Soon he came over. And that was the first of dozens of trips until the 100 pages were completed. In fact Janet got involved in typing some of the written work onto a new program.
It never ceases to amaze me how he would stop whatever he was doing and come over to work on the next glitch I had got myself into. Their efforts reminded me of frontier settlers helping the neighbour to get in the harvest or raise a new barn. Often I would offer to pay him, but Tom would have none of it. Such generosity is so rare. For that I am truly thankful.
Such a friend will make heaven a better place.
Added by Cecil Patey.


always a smile
Added by a friend


I met Tom several times at meetings in Elmvale hosted by Indra Sharma. At first I was in awe of such a well-known and respected writer, but as I attended more get-togethers, I learned to relax in his presence and participate with him and others in our 'writer's chitchat'. I regret that I did not get to know him better but appreciate the time we had and the materials he brought with him to help those aspiring to write and publish.
Added by Patricia Boyle


Yesterday I was privileged to receive several of Tom's reference books. Today they sit on the shelf in my office. Tomorrow and for years to come they will be helping me along my writing path. Thank you.
Added by Patricia Boyle


I remember the very first writing class I took with Tom. He had us brainstorm a story together and I couldn't believe how inspired all of us got over the tale that began to take shape. Not all of the participants agreed on the direction the story went, but that was okay. It started the creative juices flowing in all of us, regardless of which side of the story we were on.
It was years later, when I started dabbling in script writing that I contacted Tom again. He supported me in my journey toward learning this craft and eventually we became not only collaborators, but good friends. He is sadly missed.
Added by Lorraine Philip, Gilford


Tom not only was a friend, but an amazing fellow who accepting his mortality, joked about his demise, which stretched for some time until I heard that he had finally succumbed. He enjoyed political debates, even in a weakened state and let his sense of humour guide his words. Not only was he a fun individual he had an inquiring intellect that enjoyed both irony and wit, while respecting innate human dignity.

No subject was beyond his interest. Tom, unlike others could express an interest in most endeavours with wit and grace. I will miss him.
Added by Laurence Gottlieb


The indomitable spirit of Tom Arnett will live on in my heart. He was willing to teach, share and learn. His knowledge about the world at large, not just the world of writing, was vast. To know his characters, and his world, he delved into areas that many shirk. His unceasing quest made him a joy to be around. I am deeply appreciative of the few hours we spent together, and consider them precious. It is not often that any of us come across a spirit such as Tom’s. It was an honour and privilege to sit by him, and listen as he encouraged and tutored the writers in our group. Tom’s enthusiasm was effortless and infectious. I will forever carry some very simple words that he drilled into my thoughts (and many other writers in our group): Conflict! Conflict! Conflict! Plot! Dialogue! Show, don’t tell!

Thank you, Tom.

Added by Teresa Butt, Barrie


Tom was one of the strongest men we know. He never let anything slow or stop him. Just spending time with him gave you hope and strength. We will miss him; he has made a world of difference in all of our lives and touched our hearts. If we learned anything down through the years it is that nothing beautiful in this world is ever really lost... that those we cherish will always live on in memory.
Added by David and Brenda Brown


Tom and Janet have been my next door neighbours for approx. 20 years and have been a very important part of my life.
I feel very priviledged to have met Tom and will never forget the wonderful person that he was.
Added by Marilyn Lockhart, Victoria Harbour


Tom Arnett--Mentor and Friend:

Tom taught several of us how to write poetry at his 1967 Poetry Workshop at Toronto's Three Schools of Art. He was patient and caring, but also tough. If any of us produced something good, his face would transform into a grin lit from inside. This grin still flashes into memory whenever I happen to put something worthwhile on a blank page.
Added by George Swede, Toronto


All too often you don't realize how much you will miss something until it is taken away. Despite the considerable distance that seperated us, I regret we didn't keep in closer contact. You were often in my thoughts Tom. I trust the many days we spent together were enjoyable for you. At the very least, I have the opportunity to bid you a final farewell.
Added by Len Myers - Brockville, Ontario


Tom will be missed by all those he helped so much throughout the course of his life. Those of us at the Innisfil Historical Society most definitely feel included in those he has assisted. Tom joined our Society shortly after moving to Innisfil (Bethesda) in the 1970s. He was our third president (1980-81). Among his contributions was the founding & designing of our Document Centre. Tom put a great deal of time and effort into this, applying for and obtaining the 2 major grants that made possible our initial efforts in 1977 in establishing the Centre. In the summer and fall of 1977 he supervised the collecting of more than 2700 documents, & more recently assisted in putting the Centre online. He wrote the "Ice Industry at Belle Ewart" and was heavily involved in the publication of "The Grange at Knock", "Treasured Recipes from Innisfil's Past" and "Skunks and Scholars". We shall always remember his kindness, generosity and good counsel. We shall forever be indebted to him.
Added by Ross Wallace


We fully appreciated the great effort Tom put into the writing of the Credit Union history ("People Helping People: Achieving Success Through Service"). As well, we are aware of his contributions to the Innisfil Historical Society. Many wonderful memories...
Added by Donna & Merv Wice


I knew Tom, but wish I knew him better. Our paths crossed from time to time due to a mutual interest in writing and photography. In fact, I took night classes in both with Tom, and found him fascinating. He was a very good (and knowledgeable) teacher, and I enjoyed his classes a great deal. What you noticed about Tom immediately were his sense of humour, his enthusiasm, his generosity, and his openness. He was a good man in a time when the phrase is overused. I liked him a lot.
Added by Bruce Beacock


Typical of Tom...he is still giving.
I was fortunate enough to receive a few of the creative writing books from his personal collection. My brother Jake appreciates the humor texts.
Thank-you Tom. I will "hear" you every time I open one of these books.
Added by Indra Sharma


Just before Christmas I enjoyed a wonderful dinner party at a friend's home. She and I both worked on writing projects with Tom. Imagine my surprise when she handed me a box filled with script writing books and told me to pick those that would be the most use to me. They were from Tom's collection. As I perused the titles, it sent me back to the hours spent in Tom's writing solarium visualizing action scenes and debating with Tom on the best way to describe them in a script. He challenged me at every step and in doing so, helped me hone my scriptwriting skills to a professional level.
Such a wonderful, unexpected Christmas present, I gratefully chose four of the books. All I can say is, "Thank you Tom, thank you for everything!"
Added by Anonymous


Uncle Tom , he has had many accomplishments in his life .
Being an uncle was one .I will always cherish our times together .
Many laughs and lots of fun times . I loved and will miss your sense of humor,
your big smile and your kind heart . quite a special man .

Forever in my heart .
I love you .
LeeAnn. Billard
Edmonton, Alberta .

Added by LeeAnn. Billard


Tom was a kind, easy-going person, who was always trying to do things to help other people, even though he wasn't well.
Added by Shirley Brown


I am the happy recipient of part of Tom's library of books. I will endeavour to put them to good use. As I struggle with my own works, I will remember the honesty and humour that Tom brought with him whenever we met. Everytime I open one of these tomes, I immediately picture Tom's smiling, patient face. What better way can there be to start or research a project than with that vision before me?

Thank you, Tom.
Added by Teresa Butt


A note of thanks for books donated. I only met Tom once at a writer's gathering and was impressed with his positive attitude even through ill health. I'm a new Christian writer. Tom's books will be an asset to me in the future. Thank you, Tom for your life and example.

Added by Katrine


Fittingly, I came to know Tom through a writers meeting in Elmvale. Tom obviously had a keen sense of observation and a caring heart as he always asked me for updates on my writing endevours--even though I never expected that he would remember the small details I would tell him. It was truly wonderful to see how he had remembered me, even in his last days, and set aside one of his reference books--a book that was clearly prized by Tom. After some unmotivating months, this one gesture gave me back the dedication and fight every writer requires to achieve their goals--almost as though he had visited me in person as the wonderful mentor that he was. Thank you, Tom. You have had a very special impact on my life. Know that you are remembered and respected.
Added by Tina Amiri/Barrie


The majority of Simcoe County Chess Club members are children and youth who never met Tom Arnett face to face. Tom and his love of chess will come alive, however, every time one of our members grows through the use of the gifts Janet has directed to us. In a way, our members will carry a piece of Tom with them always, and with those they meet. Janet, thank you so much for introducing us to Tom.
Added by Mary McCooeye, President, Simcoe County Chess Club


I first met Tom almost 20 years ago when I enrolled in his writing course, "Seeing Your Book Through To The End". I was immediately in awe of this unassuming fellow who was a font of writing knowledge, unbridled curiosity, and often irreverent humour! I subsequently took two more of his courses at Georgian College. It was he who instilled in me the necessity of a regular writing schedule, even if for only 15 minutes a day. One thing Tom said that has always stayed with me and has helped me along the way is "Perfectionism = Procrastination = Paralysis". I will never forget Tom and the wisdom he passed on to me and to all who knew him. "Thanks for the book, Tom! I will treasure it always as a reminder of your courage, your dedication, your loyalty and most of all your friendship."
Added by Peggy (Stewart) Clarke


Tom always had time for others.
Added by Anonymous


Recently we held a fund raiser for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of Canada and we received a silent auction Sudoku Gift Basket on behalf of Mr. Tom Arnett. Thank-you for your kind donation. I understand that he was very supportive of one of our young volunteers who is battling this illness. She does him proud as a fellow warrior against an unfair enemy. He taught her well. I regret not having met this man in person, after hearing the fine stories of his positive outlook.
Added by Sarah McGuire- CCFC development co-ordinator


Tom's life was heroic, and I am better for having know him. I remember his silly laugh, his breadth of knowledge, his kindness and his great generosity. I miss him. There can be no greater testament to a man than that.
Added by Kris Westerlaken


Sadly found this accidently online. I attended one of Mr. Arnett's continuing education classes in Barrie. Found him to be very inspirational. He will be missed.
Added by Stephen P.


In the mid-sixties, Don Cullen asked Tom to take me under his wing to teach me freelance journalism. Tom obliged, but including me in his life, inviting me to a house that he shared with Sandra Cooper (later Sandra Cooper-Areoli), and trying to motivate me and guide me into freelance journalism. I could not see my way forward in journalism at that time, but Tom's kindness and persistence in the face of my hopelessness, remain with me to this day. I eventually went on to become a high school English teacher, but it was a peripatetic journey that took me there many years later.

Added by Don Halward


Around 1962 or so, I was introduced to Tom by Don Cullen, who persuaded Tom (without much effort, I may add) to take me under his wing in order to get me started in freelance journalism. I met Tom a few times at his third-story office, and we discussed some of the rudiments of query letters, article ideas, and the like, but I was not ready to take his generous help further, and eventually, stopped visiting. I remember his kindness, however, and that of his friend on the first two floors, Sandra Cooper, who let me hang around her kitchen if Tom wasn't there, and who herself, was a gentle, creative soul, raising two children on her own at the time. Now, many years later (2020) I remain deeply grateful to Don, to Tom and to Sandra, for their kindness.

Added by Don Halward
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