FRANTZKE, Thomas Edward
November 24,1960 – November 27, 2013
Tom slipped away unexpectedly but peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and cherished friends, in hospital on Wednesday, November 27th. He fought his year long battle with sarcoma with quiet courage and endless grace, despite such a savage adversary. He will always be the soulmate of Stefania Orlandi, and the loving father of Lukas and Derek. He was the worthy successor to proud father, Papa Ed and Marilyn Coulter, and predeceased by his mother Irene. He was adored by his sisters Evelyn (Robert ) and Bev (Bart), and was the treasured leader of his Syncoat family. His life was filled with countless friends from all over the world whose hearts are left broken, but inspired by his true ‘joie de vivre’ and the fullness of his years. Tom lived from the heart with a gentle and quiet but passionate soul. He loved the outdoors, whether tromping in the woods with his boys, or admiring the view from a hilltop picnic. This summer saw the transformation of his backyard into an oasis. His true passion was metal work, and he and Stef dreamed of time to be spent in their workshop. A loyal friend to all, he lived and inspired kindness, and a strong code of honour. The family would like to thank to Dr. Albi Razak and his caring team at Princess Margaret and Mount Sinai for fighting alongsideTom to give him every possible chance. Special thanks to Dr. Hermos Hamrahi and the exceptional team at the Dorothy Ley Hospice, whose tender kindness and compassion will never be forgotten. Thanks especially to the family and friends who cheered our remarkable Tom on from the sidelines. As terribly as we miss him, please know that your voice gave him strength, and a peaceful, easy feeling. Visitation will be held Sunday December 1st from 6pm-9pm and Monday from 1pm-2pm at St. John’s Dixie Cemetery and Visitation Centre, 737 Dundas St. E. Mississauga. Service will be held on Monday December 2nd at 2pm, interment to follow at St. Johns Dixie Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Etobicoke.
Gone.. but not forgotten.. Thomas it is such a privilege and an honor to say that I knew you.. it is so fitting that as I am typing this, the song ‘In the arms of an angel’ is being sung on tv.. I have sooo many fond and wonderful, hilarious, adventurous, (I could go on..) memories of all us neighborhood kids playing all together.. (or separate if you boys wouldn’t let us girls play with you..) playing hide and seek.. chestnuts on strings.. tag.. and more.. it was an awesome time to be shared with all the kids on our quarter of the block.. I feel so blessed that I had a chance to see you once again several years ago at home depot when I was still working..we shared a few laughs and stories.. caught up on a couple of life events… I look forward to seeing you again in heaven.. maybe we can get a game of hide and seek going on up there.. 🙂 well.. until then my dear childhood friend.. rest in peace.. and may all your family and loved ones find the courage and strength to live their lives again.. knowing that you are watching over them.. see you one day Thomas..
Kathy.. <3
RIP Tom. While I haven’t seen you since childhood, I remember you fondly. You were the boy next door who had a wicked marble collection, a cool ‘boys only’ fort and always a step ahead of me (like the time you sold me 3 cookies for $2..i forgive you friend). My deepest condolences to the Frantzke family.
Dawna Lee
“If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien
Tom comes to mind when I think of that quote. Tom didn’t misstep…he knew this all along.
Rest in peace dear Tom. I’ve known you and your family practically my whole life. Seeing you with Stef and the boys…I know life was good. It was amazing to see you so happy.
Stef….I’m with you every step of the way. Bev, Bart, Eve and Bob…love being part of your clan.
Love
Nancy
Our deepest condolences to Stephania and the Frantzke family. Tom was such a happy, lovable guy to us all and now we feel a void without him. He showed us how to love life; may we always remember him, as we try to continue our lives, and he certainly would have wished this.
Love and hugs, Hildy and Lino Battista
My deepest condolences to Stefania and the Frantzke family. Tom touched alot of hearts around the globe, especially down under in Australia. I will always remember the good times and laughs we had. Tom was a great mate and will be sadly missed.
CHEERS MATE.
My deepest condolences go out to all of Tom`s family and friends. My heart aches because I will never be able to see or speak with Tom again. Tom was a great man, he loved life, his family and friends it has been a blessing to have had Tom a part of my like for so many years. I will cherish all the memories through the years. Tom was a kind caring man and to know him was to love him, his smile said everything about him. I will miss you dearly my friend but you will be forever in my thoughts.
Your friend always
Jackie
Our deepest condolences to Stefania and the Frantzke family.We are in total disbelief here in Australia, we have just lost a fantastic friend who had the knack of making everybody smile, he took life in both hands and always had a positive outlook. I am pleased to have known him and to call him my mate and I have many fond memories of our Contiki tour of New Zealand. This was the start of our long friendship that lasted many years despite living in different countries. I will have a beer for you tonight my friend you will be sadly missed.
Our deepest condolences to Stefania and the Frantzke family.We are in total disbelief here in Australia, we have just lost a fantastic friend who had the knack of making everybody smile, he took life with both hands and always had a positive outlook on life. I am pleased to have known him and to call him my mate we have many fond memories of our Contiki tour of New Zealand which was the start of our long friendship and lasted in both Canada and Australia there after i will have a beer for you tonight my friend you will be sadly missed.
My heart goes out to Stefania, Evelyn, Bob, Bev, Bart, Ed, Marilyn, Lukas and Derek.
I loved Tom as a friend and a brother. It was a joy to spend time with Tom, he always had an upbeat attitude and never met a problem that he couldn’t handle. Stefania and the boys made Tom the happiest man in the world. I am so sorry for Tom’s passing but I am happy to have known Tom and to have had him as a part of my life.
We were privileged to know you. Rest in peace my friend.
Love
Anna, Andy, Jaclyn & Katie Gemza
TO MY SOUL MATE TOM
NEVERMORE:
WILL I SEE YOUR SMILING FACE
WILL I FEEL YOUR STRONG EMBRACE
WILL I GAZE INTO YOUR LOVING EYES
WILL I FEEL YOUR WARM LIPS ON MINE
I WILL CHERISH OUR YEARS TOGETHER
SHAPES OF HEARTS I WILL SEE FOREVER
MY HEART IS BROKEN
ALWAYS YOURS , YOUR SPARKY
Although we always lived some distance away from Tom and the boys, whenever we spoke to him or occasionally met him at a family gathering, his positive and uplifting spirit lifted our own. His influence and memory is bound to our lives forever. The visit Tom, Lukas and Derek paid us at “The Land” in Quebec was absolutely delightful. Those moments embodied the caring and nurturing fatherly man he was.
Thank you Tom
Stefania, Lukas and Derek, Ed and Marilyn, Bev and Bart, Evelyn and Bob
We are greatly saddened by Tom’s passing . . . his life too short yet long enough to befriend so many and to charm countless others. We will remember Tom’s seemingly easy-going style, ever-ready smile and abounding good humor.
No parallel experience exists for the death of one so dear. The breadth of shared memories collapses and a chunk of one’s soul goes missing. Tom will continue living in you,his family, his friends and all the people he touched, and the end point of his influence can neither be determined nor imagined.
We join you in expressing gratitude for Tom’s life, joy for having known him tempered with grief for Tom’s passing.
With sympathy and love to each of you,
Ginger & John
Tom was larger than life. His presence filled a room and his laughter and smile were infectious. He loved his family and friends and was so proud of Lukas and Derek. Stefania, his soulmate, was extremely supportive and strong during his his battle with sarcoma. Tom will never be forgotten.
Extending our heartfelt condolences and deepest sypathy to you Stefania and Tom’s family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. God Bless him.
Love, Tina, Paul & Vannessa
To My Soul Mate, Tom
NEVERMORE;
WILL I SEE YOUR SMILING FACE,
WILL I FEEL YOUR STRONG EMBRACE,
WILL I GAZE INTO YOUR LOVING EYES
WILL I FEEL YOUR WARM LIPS ON MINE.
I WILL CHARISH OUR YEARS TOGETHER
SHAPES OF HEARTS I WILL SEE FOREVER.
MY HEART IS BROKEN, I MISS YOU SO.
YOURS ALWAYS, STEFANIA
My deep condolences to Ed, Aunt Marilyn, Lukas, Derek, Bev, Evelyn and family. I’m so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Our hearts and prayers go out to you all. A beautiful poem Evelyn.
Blessings from Elizabeth, Raymond, Aidan, Meaghan, Sarah, Margaret, Ruth and David (and family)
For Tom, the Tecumseh of Westglen, from everyone who survived Glen Park:
A Poem for the Great Chief Tecumseh
So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.
When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.
Evelyn, your words are so beautiful straight from the heart. Love, your friend, for life, Deborah Trask. Will see you in Heaven Tom.