Kim, Amanda and Pam,
Although I was technically a relative of your dad through marriage, I always considered him a dear friend instead. We first met 40+ years ago. At family gatherings we always seemed to pair off - perhaps out of self-defense. Our families got together often over the years to have fun and watch you and our daughter grow up.
Many of my fond memories of Tom are from fishing. We discovered our mutual passion for fishing, especially at the coast, early on. Thinking back, I figure we averaged 8-10 days fishing a year for forty years. Some of these trips were with family while many were just the two of us.
Tom was a man of few words. Why use a sentence when a word would do; why use a word when a gesture would work fine. We would drive for hours saying little. Tom would say 'gas' and we would stop to fill up, stretch and resume the trip without additional conversation. Over the years we developed our own form of communication for fishing. We would split up on the pier trying different things at different places. We would watch each other. If no bites, Tom would shake his head. If biting, he would point his finger. If he caught a large fish and needed help, he would show his excitement by nodding his head. This sounds silly but we filled up many a cooler full of fish.
Today's world seems to be trying to redefine friendship by the number/frequency of tweets and the sharing of important pictures such as going to the grocery store. Our friendship was the old-fashioned kind based on feelings which required little communication or action - it just was real.
Your dad was a good person in a great many ways. He left behind the three of you along with four wonderful grandchildren to carry on. I will miss him.
Take care,
(uncle) Bill Woods