Obituary
It is with great sadness in our hearts that we share the passing of our Tom as he succumbed to the complications from diabetes.
Tom was the first child of Cy and Pat Webber. He became the big brother to Jacquie, Jerri Lynn, Lori and Doug. His childhood was filled with love and happy memories. Although, Tom did admit in later life to causing some challenging moments for his Mom, Dad and siblings.
After finishing high school, Tom went on to the University of Alberta graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation and Administration in 1977. Both Tom and his parents were very proud of this accomplishment, and he wore his U of A ring throughout his life.
Tom later achieved the University of Alberta certificate in Local Government in 1982 and Local Government Administrators designation in 1983.
Born and raised in Ponoka, Tom worked many jobs growing up. From mowing lawns to shoveling snow to working at the outdoor swimming pool as a swimming instructor, lifeguard and then pool manager. When the indoor Aquaplex pool was built, Tom was hired as the first pool manager.
From University, Tom accepted a job in Okotoks, Alberta as the Recreation Director. Two years later Tom and Sandy were both offered positions in Swan Hills, Alberta. Tom became the Director of Parks and Recreation, and Sandy took a teaching job. Tom was quickly promoted to Administrator for the Town of Swan Hills and held that position for 6 years.
In 1996, Tom accepted the position of Controller with the County of Ponoka. He again was promoted to Assistant CAO. Tom worked for the Ponoka County for 35 years retiring in June 2021.
When asked what he did all day long, he told his daughter Chelsea who was about 5 years old at the time – “I talk on the phone a lot.” Tom really did enjoy going to work. He developed good working relationships with everyone from the office staff to the County Councilors to those who worked in the shop, drove gravel trucks and road graders to the residents of the Ponoka County and the Town of Ponoka.
Tom played and enjoyed hockey throughout his life as a player, a coach or as a fan in the stands. From a young age Tom chose to play goalie and really liked this position. He developed his goalie skills over the years earning individual awards and helped his team win games, provincial titles, and the very competitive U of A intramural hockey title. Tom was the youngest person ever to play on the Okotoks Oldtimers team.
Tom volunteered his time to coach many minor hockey teams over the years in Ponoka. The wind-up “Dads versus the Boys game” to end the season was always fun. Tom would dig through his old equipment bag to find his old glove, blocker, and belly pad. Somehow that belly pad kept getting smaller and smaller.
Tom’s knowledge of the game of hockey as a player and as a coach helped develop his own children’s skills. Both his son Sam and daughter Chelsea followed their dad’s path starting to skate at a very young age on the rink Tom made each year on the farm. Then onto playing hockey for Sam and ringette for Chelsea. Tom helped both of them develop into very skilled players. Grandson Koston and Granddaughter June are now playing hockey as well. Grandpa Tom was so proud to see this.
Tom was a very community minded person. Supporting individual causes or community groups and organization in the Town of Ponoka or Ponoka County was important to Tom. He was always ready to help others and give back to the community.
Tom and Sandy started dating in high school and later married in June 1978. When someone would ask Tom how long he had been married, he was often off a year or two, so he come up with the line – “Quite a few years”.
Tom’s greatest pride in life were his children and grandchildren.
Son – Sam, and wife Kristen, Grandchildren – Koston, June and Ella
Daughter – Chelsea, and husband Chris, Grandchildren Thomas and baby on the way
His extended family includes Jacquie and Peter Koleyak, Doug Webber and June Wiancko, Jerri Lynn and Jim Kopores, Lori Skaley, Uncle Gerry and Shirley Field, Aunt Leanne Eadie, numerous cousins, nephews, and nieces.
We will miss Tom in so many ways. From his caring and loving nature, his incredible work ethic, his wisdom and advise, his unique wit and sense of humor. Tom touched so many people in his short lifetime.
The family wishes to thank the Ponoka Home Care Staff for the excellent care and support, the doctors and nurses of the Hemodialysis Unit, the Home Dialysis Unit and Unit 31, Red Deer Regional Hospital.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tom’s memory may be made to Ponoka Hospital Foundation specifically designated to the Ponoka Home Care Program, the Alberta Diabetes Foundation, Edmonton, Alberta, or the charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life honoring Tom will take place on Tuesday, March 15 at the Ponoka Legion. Invited quests from Noon to 2:00 p.m. and Open House from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas George Webber, please visit our floral store.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Thomas George Webber June 13 1955 February 21 2022 (age 66)..
Death notice for the town of: Wetaskiwin, Province: Alberta