Thomas Joseph Fero passed away peacefully on the morning of March 29, 2016 at the age of 71 years after a brief illness.
Tom was born on October 25, 1944 in Winnipeg, Manitoba before moving to settle in Port Arthur, Ontario in 1955. In his youth, Tom was free-spirited and rebellious, jumping box cars, and fooling around with motorcycles and fast cars.
The Fero family home on Leslie Avenue in Current River was home base for Tom and his siblings. He loved sports, playing hockey and baseball. He also came to love the rush of physical challenges, and he fondly talked about his days swimming the entirety of Boulevard Lake.
Tom married Patricia Davies in 1970 and together they started a family raising son, Ian, and daughter, Dana.
In 1972 Tom began his 43-year career with the Thunder Bay Grain Trimmers retiring in 2014. Tom always maintained his pursuit of physical fitness, participating with the Thunder Bay Old Timers Hockey group, and the Masters Swim Club at the Canada Games Complex.
He also became passionate about cycling and completed his first of many triathlons in his mid-40s. Tom was at home in downtown Port Arthur, connecting with many of his friends on a daily basis, chatting over a coffee or a beer, and sharing his opinions and views with others became simply another form of sport.
Many will remember Tom for his generosity. While he had many passions and pursuits, his foremost love was his children. He was extremely proud of both Ian and Dana and all that they did.
In his final days Tom was surrounded by the love and company of his family.
Tom was predeceased by his father, Joseph, and his mother, Christina and other cherished relatives of both the Fero and Melluish families. He is survived by his son, Ian (Jennifer), daughter Dana Clara(Mark), their mother, Patricia Davies Fero, his three grandchildren Matthew Clara and Jakob and Alexandra Fero, his sisters, Gloria (Terry) Smythe, Ethel (Rick) Enstrom, Catherine (John) Vrskovy, brother Joe (Kris), many nieces and nephews, along with his step-mother Astrid Fero and his long-time companion, Katherine Rabachuk.
As per Tom's wishes, a private family service will be held at a later date.
The family are grateful for the care Tom received during his stay at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. To ensure others are able to receive comparable care and compassion, it is the family wish that donations in Tom's memory be made to the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. Arrangements entrusted to the Sargent & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Centre, 21 N. Court Street. On-line condolences may be made at www.sargentandson.com
