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Thomas ‘Toby’ Douglas Black

March 20, 2016

 

October 7, 1937 – March 20, 2016

It is with saddened hearts that we announce the passing of Tom “Toby” Black, in London, Ontario on Sunday, March 20, 2016, at the age of 78.  Tom is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beverley Black (Tuckwood) and his children Toby Whalen (Terry), of London and Scott Black (Sharon), of Kerwood.  Tom was the loving brother of Jack (Doris), of London, Bobby (Gloria), of Ladysmith, Quebec and his sister Ruth Ann MacFarlane, of Hamilton.  Tom will be deeply missed by his grandchildren:  Matthew, Michael, Julie, Erica and Thomas.  Tom was also a special in-law to Bob and Syl, Bob and Wendy, Brenda and Peggy Ann.  Tom was predeceased by his parents Goldie and Bert Black, of Kapuskasing, and his brothers Bill and Jim.  Tom was born and raised in Kapuskasing and developed an early passion for golf, fishing and the outdoors, but hockey was his true love.  He moved to Barrie at an early age to play junior hockey and then continued his career in the EHL and IHL with stops in Philadelphia, Charlotte and Toledo, and then back to Ontario where he played senior hockey with Woodstock and Oakville.  Following a short stint working for 3M in London (where he met Beverley), Tom had a long career with the Ford Motor Company at their plants in Oakville and Talbotville.  Tom made friends wherever he went and he was a warm-hearted, generous and kind man.  He was a long-time member of the Masonic Lodge and an active participant for years in Huff ‘N Puff hockey.  Tom’s true passion was his family – he seldom missed an opportunity to watch his children and the grandkids play their sports.  Tom was seldom seen without Bev by his side, and they went everywhere together:  he was a wonderful husband and father who adored his wife and children.  Tom was a loving and giving friend and was cherished as a brother-in-law, brother, uncle and Grampy….he will be deeply missed.  Visitation will be held on Thursday from 3:00 – 5:00 and 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., with a Masonic Service under the auspices of Middlesex Lodge No. 379 at 6:30 p.m., at WESTVIEW FUNERAL CHAPEL, 709 Wonderland Road North, London, where the memorial service will be conducted on Friday, March 25, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Tom are asked to consider a charity of their choice.

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(Donated to London Regional Cancer Program)

~ Joan Wakeling

What a great Uncle! He had a heart of gold and a great sense of humour! Condolences to Aunt Bev, Toby, Scott. He will be missed.

~ Jackie Foreman

bev,I am so sorry to hear about toby.he was always a great guy every time we spoke.we never got to golf together but we always spoke of it.he will be sadly missed by all your family. lynne sends her condolences as well.you are in our hearts always. love russ. @lynne.

~ russ chadwick and lynne

To Bev and family We are so very sorry to hear of your loss. We send our sincere sympathy to you and yours as you grieve. May comforting memories be with you now and always.

~ Doug and Fran Hardy

Toby: I was so sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I didn't know him personally but I heard many stories over the years from my Dad and Uncle Marc Boulianne. He sounds like a wonderful man and lots of fun. It is hard to loose a parent. I'm sure you will be sitting around telling crazy stories about your Dad. Thinking of you. Louise

~ Louise Watson

I much enjoyed my interactions with Tom at St. Joseph's Family Medical Centre in the 1990's. I was fascinated by his career in Junior Hockey. He will be greatly missed and I mourn his loss with the family and the community.

~ Dr. John Biehn

Bev, Toby, Scott and families, heartfelt condolences on the passing of Tom. We have many warm and wonderful memories of times spent together on Beckworth Ave. We send our sincerest condolences in this most difficult time. Tom was always a good friend and a great man to look up to. From our family to yours. Mike & Laurie

~ McAndrew family

Bev and family, I am not surprised to read that Toby was a great family man. He was a great man. He will really be missed by all of his hockey buddies. After many years of chasing him I was really excited to be on the same team this year. We will all remember Toby very fondly, especially his sense of fair play and ever present smile. I know that everyone who knew him will be thinking of his family during your time of loss. Sorry that I will be unable to attend the service. Harold

~ Harold Greenwood

I had a few opportunities to play with and against Tom in Huff n Puff hockey. A true gentlemen. My heartfelt condolences to Toby, Terry and rest of the Whalen family. "Boski" HnP goalie and Bell retiree.

~ Boris Markowski

“Wherever a beautiful soul has been there is a trail of beautiful memories" Whenever I think of my Uncle Tom I remember what a kind, caring man he was. Always quick to smile or make others smile with him... I carry childhood memories of him that I will cherish. To my Aunt Bev and cousins Toby and Scott... i am saddened that he is gone but I know that he loved you all and will be there in your hearts and memories. I offer my condolences to you all.

~ Michelle Phillips(Demo)

Bev and family....my sincere condolences.

~ Marie Sawa

Bev,Toby,Scott and family I'm so sorry for your loss , Tom was pure gentleman . Always had a smile and always happy . He will be remembered fondly . So sorry we could not be there with being out of the country . Our heart felt condolences Ron&Janet

~ Ron & Janet Burton

Tom was a neighbor these past few years - I'm deeply saddened to hear of his passing. I was always struck by how full of life he was - always the picture of activity and a genuinely kind-hearted soul. Just chatting with Tom was enough to lift up your spirits - he was a fantastically positive guy who always made things brighter. I will miss him greatly. My most heart felt condolences to Bev and the rest of the family. John

~ John Sayer-White

(Donated to pancreatic cancer)

~ Team at Smart Watering Systems

(Donated to Cancer Society)

~ Garry and Cobie Miller

My heartfelt condolences. I worked with Tom for many years at Ford St Thomas. It was always a pleasure working with him, always quick with a smile or an encouraging word, are true gentleman.

~ Roger Weekes

What a great photo of Tom! He always had a smile even when we worked long and stressful hours at Ford. I was honoured that he was a member of our production team. I am at a loss for words to properly express my sadness at his passing. My condolences to Bev, Toby, Scott and all the extended family during this difficult time.

~ John Rawlings

Bev and Family, words are inadequate at times such as these but be assured we have you in our hearts. Toby was a great teammate and I'm privileged to have been able to call him a friend. He was one of a kind.

~ Bruce Huff

The loss of someone so loved by all is never easy, buy may you and the family take comfort in knowing that you will be surrounded by friends and family that love you and care about you. Look back on all the fond memories that you were able to share with your Dad Toby, and smile knowing that a very special angel will always look after you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

~ Bev & Alex MacDonald

The loss of someone so loved by all is never easy, but may you and your loved ones take comfort in knowing that you will be surrounded by friends and family that love you and care about you. Look back on all the fond memories you were able to share with your Dad Toby, and smile knowing that a very special angel will always look upon you. Our sincere condolences my very special friend.

~ Bev & Alex MacDonald

My sincere condolences to the family on the loss of your loved one. I had the honour and pleasure of playing Huff n Puff senior hockey with Toby for 1 year. He was an incredible team mate and was supportive of all those he played with and against. He was truly humble about his abilities and made all of his team mates better because of his unselfishness. Toby will be missed by his many friends at Huff n Puff hockey.

~ Brian Mossey

Dear Toby, My experiences with you at the Ford Plant and personally were the greatest. You were a true gentleman and will be sorely and sadly missed by all. God speed my friend. X X

~ David Tindall

Scotty and Family , so sorry to here of your dads passing ,our thoughts are with all of you at this time

~ Chris and Judy Rizzo

To the entire Black family - my sincere condolences on Tom's passing. He was a fine man, and I was proud that he was my brother in Middlesex Lodge. May happy memories and the love of family and friends help support you during this difficult time.

~ Dave MacLeod

We were deeply saddened to hear the news of Tom's passing. Another member of our Ford family has gone to a better place. Tom was a special breed - an associate that I came to greatly admire through our many years of working together, and a man who was admired and cherished by all who knew him. A great guy and he will be sorely missed. Our deepest condolences to the Black family........

~ Gord Drimmie

So sorry to hear of the loss of Toby. He was a real gentleman who was very well liked by all who came in contact with him. I have fond memories of spending many years with Scott in our high school years playing hockey for Saunders and Toby was always at the games. Toby could also skate toe to toe with guys a generation younger than him which I'll always remember. I have great comfort knowing that our fathers Toby and Bob spent 50+ years playing hockey together in one form or another right up to 2016. My condolences to the Black family.

~ Michael Geddes

I knew Tom for many many years, best supervisor I ever had, always there at hockey games, mostly bad hockey games. I'll keep swinging my stick over my head for you Toby. With my deepest respect, you were a true gentleman.

~ Tom Forster

Bev. and Family: Please accept my deepest sympathy at the passing of Tom. I worked with Tom for thirty years at Ford. He always had my greatest respect and admiration. He was always fair and thoughtful, with the welfare of his employees as a priority. He was always there with a ready smile and great sense of humour. He was truly the Salt of the Earth, a real gentleman.

~ Case Hoffer

I am honored to have known Toby and to have had the opportunity to play golf and hockey with him when I was living in London. He was a true gentleman and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our condolences to Beverly and her family in these difficult times. Only time will heal the hurt and feelings of great loss. Know that we are thinking about you in your time of sorrow. Bryan & Margie Freeman Pictou, Nova Scotia.

~ Bryan Freeman

Our sincere condolences to Bev and her family, to Tom's brothers and sister, Jack (Doris), Bobby (Gloria), and Ruth Ann MacFarlane on the loss of their loved one. We had the honour and pleasure of spending a wonderful evening with Tom and Bev when visiting with Jack and Doris. A wonderful memory to cherish. The loss of someone so loved is never easy, buy may you and all of the family take comfort in knowing that you are surrounded by friends and family that love and care for you.

~ Garry, Cobie & Ian Miller

Our sincere condolences to Bev and her family, to Tom's brothers and sister, Jack (Doris), Bobby (Gloria), and Ruth Ann MacFarlane on the loss of their loved one. We had the honour and pleasure of spending a wonderful evening with Tom and Bev when visiting with Jack and Doris. A wonderful memory to cherish. The loss of someone so loved is never easy, buy may you and all of the family take comfort in knowing that you are surrounded by friends and family that love and care for you.

~ Garry, Cobie & Ian Miller

Our sincere condolences with your loss our thoughts and prayers are with all of your family during this difficult time John and Corinne Ham

~ John and Corinne Ham

I did not know you to well tom but bev was my teacher and i could tell that she was a wonderful lady inside out and for the short time i did know you i knew you were very special to her.rest well my friend and journey high.

~ Albert contois

My heartfelt condolences to the Whalen and Black families for the loss of your beloved Dad & Grampy. May you all find peace and comfort in the love that comes from family and friends at this trying time.

~ Sue Strybosch

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