Mr. Thomas Leo Ducharme, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2015, which was also his 82nd birthday, with his family gathered around him. Tom managed to hold on until his youngest son could get here and then passed away less than an hour later. He was a very strong-willed, determined man who had struggled bravely for many years with a variety of health conditions.

Tom's favourite place in the world was his family camp at One Island Lake that he shared generously with everyone he loved. He was always happy and busy building things, fixing things, digging rocks, felling trees, going on lunchtime boat cruises, sweating in the sauna, and laughing around the campfire. He worked for several decades to get camp set up for his growing family and has left a wonderful legacy behind for future generations to enjoy. Tom also coached hockey for his son's teams for several years and loved watching his children play sports. He was also very involved with the development, fundraising, and building of West End Recreation Centre, with other devoted parents in the neighbourhood. After retirement, Tom worked for the St. Vincent de Paul Society at Corpus Christi Church for many years and completed many deliveries and organized the data in a computer program.
Tom was an active member of Corpus Christi Parish and would never miss a Sunday mass, even while travelling abroad. In his later years, he would listen to mass on his iPad every Sunday morning and mom would bring home the Sunday Bulletin to review with him.
Tom and Jean liked to play golf, curl, and travel and had many wonderful trips to Hawaii, England, Italy, Florida, and the Dominican Republic.

Tom was bright, kind, witty, had a great sense of humour, and was well-respected by all who met him. He worked for Bell Canada for 36 years and was a regional manager for the northwest. He started putting in the first telephones in many homes in southern Ontario, travelled far up north above the tree line and to the remotest places to provide telephone services to many. As the years passed he moved up the corporate ladder quickly and ended up managing several hundred employees and a vast region of Ontario around Thunder Bay. Tom had high expectations for himself and expected the same from his employees and was known for his intelligence, integrity, problem solving skills, and ability to motivate people to do their very best.

He is survived by his loving wife Jean of 56 years, his children David (Victoria) Julia and James (Bonnie), his grandchildren Spencer, Ethan, and Alena, Danielle and Laura, Ainsley and Sofie. Tom and Jean opened their hearts and home to their three adopted children and the tradition has continued with grandchildren adopted from the United States, Russia, and China. Dad would often say that his family is like the United Nations! Tom is also survived by one sister Rose (Ron) Marcy, brother-in-law Raymond (Joan) Voll, and sister-in-laws Kaye Ducharme, Diane and Peggy Voll, and numerous nephews and nieces residing in Southern Ontario. He was a favourite uncle and many of his nieces and nephews came and spent time at One Island Lake.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, Auguste and Mary (Kennedy) Ducharme, in-laws Jerome and Annetta Voll, brother James and sister-in-law Clara, brother Kenneth, and sister Catherine and brother-in-laws Gordon Staples, Harry Voll, and David Voll.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 at Corpus Christi R.C. Church where family and friends will gather for Funeral Mass beginning at 10:00 am, celebrated by Rev. Alan Albao. All services will conclude in the church and a private interment will be held at a later date. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday evening, August 20th from 6:00 p.m,. until 8:00 p.m,. with a Vigil Service beginning at 7:00 p.m. in the Sargent & Son Funeral Chapel, 21 North Court Street. Should friends desire memorial donations to St. Vincent de Paul (c/o Corpus Christi Church) , the Salvation Army or St. Joseph's Foundation. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com.

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