I had a flight out of Hartford to arrive for Tom's celebration tomorrow but it was cancelled and it doesn't look now like I'll make it. My regrets!

I met Tom in the 1990's while he was working at the Power Turbine Repair shop for TP&M. We worked together on a lot of machines over the years. It cost me my hair and what youth I had left but I always had lots of fun with him. Any time I would come up with an approach to try in a repair, he'd try to accommodate it, but mostly, he'd wonder aloud what I'd been smokin'. After all, I WAS from Fresno!
We were both pilots and I always looked forward to flying with him. The photos above were from our last trip out to the test cell, I'm wondering now - if I was taking THAT picture, and he was filming the scenery, which one of us was flying the plane? He told me once he didn't think of me as a customer much anymore, but as a friend. I'll always be grateful for what time and we got to share and those sundowners at the hangar after a particularly rough repair job. I often hoped he'd be landing that float plane on the lake near my place on his way to or from Alaska and I'd get to return some small part of the hospitality and friendship he showed me all the time. Fair winds buddy!!! Rest in peace.

Tom was my bestest friend ever. We met in the mid 80’s and our relationship grew over the years. I think it was better and stronger than being family. We never argued. Together we laughed and had fun.

When he was told about his cancer he called me. We cried together on the phone. We both vowed we are not going to let it beat him. We are in it together.. He beat it.

On a lighter note . One time we hunted over in Mississippi. We decided to test shoot our rifles. Tom mentioned that he got a marksman badge in the marines. When he test fired his 30-06 he stayed looking down for about 10 seconds before he looked around to show us where the scope of rifle hit his forward. I immediately snapped a photo. He knew he would see this photo on occasion. I did not disappoint him. He always got it around Christmas time and any other time I felt it was appropriate. It brings me to tears to say “This is the last time I will use it “.

He will be missed by this guy more than either of us know. I feel his presence everyday.

RIP

It was in 2007 when I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Tom for the first time for work. Already then, his warm character, remarkable hospitality and impeccable sense of humor made for an everlasting first impression. A couple of years later, in 2009 our family came to Florida for a vacation. And although we had a fantastic time in Disney World and all the other lovely attractions in the first half of our holiday, the best was yet to come.

Towards the end of our first family trip to the Sunshine State we paid a visit to Tom, who was very generous with his time and brought us to Key West for the weekend. Back then we also had the privilege of meeting you, Lexi. The hospitality demonstrated by you and your father was unlike any we have encountered before. When we got back home from the US, we asked our six and ten-year-old kids what their favorite experiences from our trip were. Without hesitation, both of them voted for that incredible weekend in Key West. At the time our daughter Anniina did not speak a word of English - yet somehow, Tom was able to connect with her and they even had their own little inside jokes.

Two years later we came back for another visit. Despite Tom being very busy with moving house back then, he made sure that he could spend some time with us once again, and took myself and my son Niklas for a plane ride - an experience that neither one of us will ever forget. Another special moment from this trip was when Tom invited us to watch the 4th of July fireworks of Delray Beach by the shore - another unforgettable moment that will forever hold a special place in the hearts of our family.

Having experienced these levels of hospitality and kindness, we could not help but feel like we needed to figure out what we could do to ever pay him back - even partially. So we made a deal - We promised that the next time Tom was to visit Finland, a dish of sautéed reindeer would be on us. Unfortunately, this promise remains unredeemed to this day. Lexi, if you ever find yourself in Finland, it would be an honor to have you help us redeem this promise with you in your father?s memory.

Mikael, Eeva, Niklas and Anniina Länsiö

A couple months ago I was looking for a private hanger for a photoshoot for my client-a young boy that was obsessed with airplanes. Crissy offered her home to me and I decided to have my 2 young boys as well tag along. Crissy and Tom opened their home to us and made us feel like home having each boy jump in and out of their aircrafts, taking pictures, playing with the dogs and having a wonderful day. Just when we thought the day couldn’t go any better, they pulled out their golf carts had us all jump on and drove us down the road for even more. Their amazing friend Richard then opened his home to us, again with gorgeous aircrafts and cars….boy the cars!!! Richard had my boys jump in and out of his precious cars (Ferrari) just as if it was a Toyota Camry not a precious car as it was. We could have stayed all day and they acted as if they would have wanted us too. Richard, knowing I’m a photographer gave me some photography books he was discarding and asked if I would like them. We met once but the impact both these men had on mine and my children's lives is just incredible. Their generosity is unmatched and we couldn’t be more sorry for your loss. I know the pain is unbearable but if there’s any comfort in knowing how special these two men are and how a stranger is hurting and praying along side of you all. I can only imagine how incredibly lucky it was to have them in your life for so long. Prayers during such an incredibly hard time being sent your way.

I met Tom about 4 years ago as Turbo Services was performing maintenance on one of out FT4's at one of the power plants I support. He was always first class to not only me, but all people/customers I saw him interface with. Tom was always willing to help, go out of his way to educate you on all the aspects of the twin packs, honored all his deals, send you parts you needed in a jam and work out the payment later, not afraid to get dirty with you fixing the engines, and many other great working qualities. He made it worth while working on the old FT4's knowing he would always pick up ca call or face time to guide me to excellence! When our plant people came to Florida to see their engine's in the shop & test cell, he made everyone feel like they were Kings. Like I said, I only knew Tom 4 years, but I always felt like I was talking to my 5th brother. I pray for all of God's help for all his family and friends, during these times and in the future. I will forever cherish my MANY great times with Tom!!! A quote from Tom as I was attempting to fly the sea plane and keep it level. The plane had gradually dropped ~ 1000 ft. "Hey Jon, did you notice that items on the ground are getting larger? You can go back up now."

When I met you for the first time I knew that there was something extra special about you, not just they way you loved my best friend Crissy. Although I’m grateful for the many years, dinners, trips, concerts and incredible laughs, I can’t help but be sad for all of amazing plans that aren’t going to happen. You never met a stranger, always wanting/willing to help anyone, had the best sense of humor and collected people for a life time of friendship. I’m comforted knowing that you lived your best life and left this world with a great friend by your side doing one of the things you loved. Everyone who was lucky enough to know you was better for it. You were one of the good ones, We love you, you were family and our hearts are broken without you. I’ll never understand why tragedy takes the good ones way too soon just know that we are here for your girls and will not let them fall,, Rest In Peace