It is with great sorrow and much love that we mourn the passage of Thomas Archibald Simper, of Vernon BC, on January 5, 2021, at the age of 89 years.
Tom was an avid reader, a masterful gardener, a ruthless cribbage player, a charmer and an unabashed flirt. He was a talented curler in his younger years and he made a mean Caesar Salad. A lifelong patron of the arts, he loved going to the symphony where he could “check his eyelids for leaks” by sitting back, closing his eyes, and “letting the music wash over him.” Tom had an adventurous spirit, witnessed by numerous tent camping trips with his children, and, later in life, a trip to Mexico for his 80th birthday where he went zip-lining through the jungle. He truly believed in living in the moment and that one is never too old to learn something new.
Over his lifetime, Tom held an eclectic range of jobs. In the early years, he worked as a newsboy, pin setter at a bowling alley, and service station owner/operator. He spent approximately thirty years in and out of public service for Canada, mainly in Taxation and Supply & Services Canada. This provided him an opportunity to be at the forefront of the adoption of computers in the public sector, programming a system that remains at the heart of CRA’s system to this date. His time outside public service was spent in diverse posts all across Canada.
A person of faith, Tom lived his life serving others. As a young man, he was closely involved with the Salvation Army in Calgary and played the euphonium in the band. He was an active member of the church Men’s clubs at Trinity United in Vernon and Kirk United in Edmonton. Many weekends were spent in the church kitchens preparing turkey or roast beef dinners for the community, special lunches for low income schools, and meals donated to local soup kitchens. He volunteered for a number of different charitable groups over the years to support the people that he loved. Tom believed in making time for people, and will be remembered as a good listener and supportive friend.
Tom was fiercely proud of his family. He will be remembered by his 7 children: Tom (Joy), Kim, Pamela (Daniel), Kerri-Lynn, Leslie (Jeff), Sharvon, and Tim. He was “Grampy” to 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. Tom is survived by siblings Dorothy, Robert, and Karen, and numerous extended family members. He is predeceased by his parents, first wife Winnie, second wife Linda, and siblings Jack, Edward, Harry, George, and Kathleen.
The family wish to extend a special thank you to dear friend Maxine Coffey and also to the staff at Noric House in Vernon. Your care and compassion are extraordinary and are greatly appreciated.
Due to current health and travel restrictions, there will be no formal memorial service for Tom. We encourage you to pour yourself a scotch, watch some curling, plant a garden, listen to beautiful music, or make a donation in Tom’s name to the local charitable organization of your choice.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Thomas Archibald Simper January 5th 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Vernon, Province: Colombie britanique