A Toast To Tom

by Bill Wilson

Here’s to Tom McGowan, a great man … a final toast
Where ever he worked, traveled or played he made good friends including some mates from the Australian coast

Throughout his life he was driven to succeed and it appears he pulled on the right levers’
This combination of competitive drive, pride and hard-work made him success whether it was in athletics or his business endeavors

I heard so many stories about Vitale, Palm and Moran and that undefeated Hall football team, I felt as though I almost played
He loved to spin tales of his teammates he loved, but when he talked about coach Robinson I saw the reverence he displayed

He adored his life-long friends he made at Traveler’s and his alma mater Trinity College, I heard that was quite an era
I can’t imagine the joy in heaven when he was reunited with his parents and his buddies John Prom and Pat McNamara

Tom loved to hold court and share his stories; on any subject as long as there was wine to drink
and I loved Tom’s new land yacht; that Marty captained, to take him and the kids to any New England hockey rink.

He’s the only guy I know who owned a Faberge egg
but was comfortable enough to drink with me from a Budweiser keg.

Tom loved golf so much, one year, he was a member of three different courses
If that was true for most of us, there would be a lot of divorces.

Tom loved the luxuries his life style provided, but his best asset, money could not purchase
On June 26th , 1999 when he married Mary, this achievement gave his life real purpose

They quickly built a beautiful family I know he loved deeply and is so proud
With 5 beautiful children, 7 rabbits, 2 dogs, and a cat, the Stoner home held quite a crowd

Tom’s legacy for me will be his generosity and sharing his many gifts and unselfishly giving
If we want to truly honor Tom; do a kindness and “pay it forward”, while we are all still living

God Bless Tom McGowan!!

March 11th , 1958 — April 16th, 2017