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Thomas Wolford Eslick
1944 - 2011
Thomas Wolford Eslick
1944 - 2011
Obituary
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BORN
1944
DIED
2011
Thomas Eslick Obituary
Tom grew up in hockey-mad Potsdam, NY, and was a rink rat at Clarkson Arena. His family moved to Darien, CT, where he was captain and record holder of the hockey team at Darien High School. Aa a four-year class president, Tom graduated in 1962.
Tom attended the University of Connecticut before transferring to Nasson College in Springvale, ME. He spent the interim summer fighting forest fires on a National Forest Service Hot Shot Crew based in Newhall, CA.
Tom graduated from Nasson in 1967 and was awarded a Ford Foundation Fellowship to attend UNH for a Master’s in English Literature, which he earned in 1968. While there, Tom was a teaching assistant, and this experience became the foundation of his life-long teaching career. Tom earned a second Master’s degree in Creative Writing from Emerson College in 1990.
After six years as an Assistant Professor of English at Vermont College, Tom taught English and coached hockey at Proctor Academy in Andover, retiring in 2008 after 34 years. He was English Department Chair for over twenty years and three times received the John H. O’Connor Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1984, Tom also won a coveted admission to the Folger Shakespeare Library for a month-long “Teaching Shakespeare” workshop. For many years, Tom was a reader/grader for the AP exam in English Literature.
Tom was also the author of four published mystery novels set in the White Mountains, inspired by his love of hiking those trails. Moreover, Tom was a gifted singer/songwriter/guitarist with six albums to his credit. Tom was well known for his concerts on the New England college and prep school circuit during the 1970s and ‘80s.
Tom served as an EMT on the Wilmot Fast Squad in the 1990s.
Tom was a member of the Mystery Writers of America, The Authors' Guild, the New Hampshire Writers' Project, and the International Thriller Writers, Inc.
Tom was predeceased by his sister, Susan Eslick Balzer of Woodstock, NY, and his parents, Thomas Orville Eslick and Lillian Wolford Eslick. He is survived by Susan Dunphy Eslick, his wife of 44 years, his sons, John Eslick of Simi Valley, CA, and Jason Eslick of Southborough, MA, his daughter-in-law, Sarah Ackley Eslick, and his grandson, James McFarlan Eslick.
A celebration of Tom’s life will be held May 20 at 2:00 P.M. at the First Baptist Church, 461 Main Street, New London, NH. Arrangements are by Chadwick Funeral Service, (603) 526-6442.
For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to either the Lake Sunapee Region VNA & Hospice, PO Box 2209, New London, NH 03257 or to the Wilmot Fire Department, 1 Firehouse Lane, Wilmot, NH 03287.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sonja Yoerg
February 9, 2011
Dear Sue,
I'm so sorry, Sue. Just today I wrote a note on Tom's website, not knowing that he had passed away.
It's been more than 30 years since I've seen you both and yet I think of you often. Tom was such a great friend to me as a young woman, and I will never forget how you both welcomed me into your lives.
I hope time brings you peace.
Love,
Sonja
Kim Layo
February 7, 2011
Dear Susan,
I was saddened to learn of Tom's passing. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for both of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God bless, Kim Moss Layo
February 2, 2011
Susan and Sons:
I was indeed saddened to klearn of Tom,s
passing,and want you to know that I hold
you in my thoughts and prayers.
I am now in woodcrest,and would surely welcome a visit at your
convenience. Dave Sheldon
Nancy Luther (Bennett) '81
January 27, 2011
Dear Susan and family
Tom was a huge influence on me as a student at Proctor. I will always remember him and our trip to England for project period. I'm sure he's had a great influence on many students lives since I left there and I will always regret not making more of the reunions.
My thoughts and Prayers are with you family
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David Holbrook
January 24, 2011
Susan .. A Nasson grad. Gerry Holtorf forwarded Tom's obit to me ... Sorry for your loss, I remember Tom as an open happy guy with his guitar .... I'm glad to learn of his fine life .... David Holbrook
Kathy Chiappetta
January 23, 2011
Dear Susan and Family, Sad for your loss of Tom. I didn't know Tom well at Darien High School, but always admired him from afar. He was our class president for all 4 years and was very well liked and respected and always said hello even if he didn't know you. He had substance. I am confident that you have an enormous support system of family and friends. My heart goes out to you.
January 23, 2011
Susan, I am shocked and saddened to learn of Tom's passing. In reading about him, I never knew that he went to Nasson College - a place I almost went on a scholarship but decided instead to head to PA where obviously I most have thought it was warmer.
He was a wonderful classmate and competitive athlete - as the school photographer at DHS, I remember trying to get a great shot of him as he flashed past me on the ice always with his eye on the opponent's goal.
My thoughts are prayers go out to you and the family and may you look back on the wonderful times and memories with him.
Pat (Jack) Cataldo
Chapel Hill, NC
January 22, 2011
Dear Susan,
I have just learned of Tom’s passing and wish to convey my sadness to you and your family. I am a Darien HS classmate of Tom’s and surely others will send their regards, as Tom was very special to us. I am trying not to be trite and repeat what you already know, your having been his partner for over 4 decades, but several things come to mind when I think of Tom;
• He always looked like he had stepped out of a Brooks Brothers catalogue with his creased pants, button down collars and spiffy crew neck sweaters
• His leadership style was masterful; never loud nor arrogant, but with a firmness of purpose that made him a standout
• Even in his teens Tom was in overdrive; athletics, school politics, hall monitor squad (they were elite!) and a gentle, sensitive outgoing personality that magnetized him.
Tom’s life’s accomplishments are impressive but not at all surprising; he was destined to have a significant impact on his world and on those around him. I’m glad you had such a long life with him; surely you were a source of immense strength and happiness to him.
Our prayers are with you and your family
Sincerely,
Peter Firla
DHS 1962
January 22, 2011
January 22,2011.
Dear Susan and Family
Since we first met with Tom back in 1961 in New York, we both realized that we were going to shared a very enjoyable year together in Darien High School. I gained confidence very quickly because Tom was always ready to help me in how to get along in the different situations. Tom had a very unique sense of humor and he always knew when to be formal and funny at the same time. I had the chance to share his friends who had always admired and respected him very much. My privileged was to be assigned to live as an ex-changed student with the Eslicks’ and there was Tom as part of this wonderful Family. But far beyond my expectation when the school year came to an end I felt that since then I had a BROTHER in this part of the world. Those memories are to remember as time goes on, to help ease our sorrow, and pray to the Almighty to let him to rest in peace.
Hugo Oscar Bogani
corinne bliss chartrand
January 20, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Marianna Mott Newirth
January 20, 2011
Tom Eslick was a great teacher & appreciated the sometimes crazed mind of a teenager. I carry fond memories of Tom around the Proctor Academy campus and was proud to play "Golda"to his "Tevia" in Fiddler on the Roof my senior year. Thanks for the music you gave to us. Your memory will be a blessing for us all.
Donna Asnani
January 20, 2011
Dear Susan and Family -
You will probably be hearing from all sorts of folks you don't know, but that will only serve to prove what you already know - that Tom was a person that it was easy to like, and many of us remember him with affection and warm feelings from nearly fifty years ago! I don't think any of us for a minute ever thought about having a different class pres!! Blessings to all of you from one such old friend from high school -
Robert & Deborah Condors
January 19, 2011
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Marvin Minkler
January 19, 2011
When I heard this sad, sad news, I immediately flashed back to when I first met Tom and his folks when they moved into their home in Darien, and I wandered into the house and there he was.
The good times with Tom through-out our junior and high school days will always remain some of the fondest of memories.
My prayers are with you Sue.
Marvin Minkler
Evonne Fell
January 19, 2011
That is very sad, sad news. I am shocked as I didn't know he had cancer. I am so very sad about this. Tom Eslick was a great guy. I have very fond memories of him at DHS as he was such a good friend of mine. He will be missed. I have one of his autograp[hed books he signed for me at our reunion. I remember going out to his car with him after the brunch to get the book and he signed it right there for me in the parking lot. He hugged me good bye and we said we's see each other at our 50'th. I am so sorry for his family's loss and all the lives he touched. Evonne
January 19, 2011
Memories....something our age group is getting quite good at sharing. I barely met you, Sue, but certainly understand your loss. We never get over the loss; we get perspective. Tom was a dear friend, most especially during our junior high years.....brother and sister would probably describe it best. And wow, did we both love hockey!!! Fun memories of lots of laughs....he was loved by all. Joanne
Justine Alston-Payne
January 18, 2011
God saw as you were getting tired
A cure was not to be
So he wrapped His arms around you
And whispered 'Come with Me.'
With tearful eyes
We watched you suffer
And saw you fade away
Although we loved you dearly
We could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating
Hard working hands laid to rest
God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.
Writen By: Layla Loretta Maples LLM~
Taken from the original written by: Frances M. Coelho
May His grace and mercy continue to keep you all in your time of need. He was truly a gem of a man and he will be missed dearly. Love Always, JAP
The Staff of Chadwick Funeral Service
January 18, 2011
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
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