Thomas George "Tom" Masich

1936 - 2022

Thomas George Masich


May 10, 1936 – September 18, 2022 Those are the dates. They represent a beginning and an end, but the space between…ahhhh…the space between…what a life.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Tom Masich. Dad was a proud and loving son, brother, husband, dad, uncle, friend, mentor, and coach to his immediate family and his extended family around the world.

Born in Kimberley, BC on May 10, 1936 to John and Annie Masich, Dad came running into the world and never looked back. The youngest of ten, he learned quickly that he had to be quick and smart if he wanted to get a full meal or have his say. To the end, Dad felt a strong connection to the east Kootenays, and Kimberley held a special place in his heart.

Dad started his coaching career by chance in 1956 when a handful of high school athletes in Kimberley asked him if he knew of any other track meets in which they could compete. He looked into it and they were soon off to the provincial championships. Dad's first group showed early success – winning fistfuls of medals and blazing a path for others to follow. There was no looking back.

Dad's success as a coach led him to being named to the BC team to the 1958 Legion National Championships. It was at this meet where Dad established a long-lasting friendship with future world record holder and Olympic medallist Harry Jerome. Years later, when Harry was named to the Premier's Sport Council, he consulted Dad on several issues surrounding youth and sport and appreciated his thoughts and wisdom.

Dad left an indelible mark wherever he went. A move to Prince Rupert meant another successful track and field team with more regional, provincial, and western Canadian success; and lots of early support helping to organize, and sponsor the All-Native Basketball Tournament. Many of Dad's first athletes in Prince Rupert were part of the legendary Rainmakers basketball team that clawed its way to the provincial championships in 1964. It was in Prince Rupert where Dad met Anne, and a move to Prince George brought about their 61-year partnership.

Prince George was home for 56 years. It was in Prince George where Dad really set his roots. While working as a carpenter and business owner, Dad found the time to start the Prince George Track and Field Club in 1973, the Prince George to Boston Marathon (Labour Day Classic) and the Prince George Minor Basketball Association in 1974, and the Elementary School Relay Program in 1975. It was a busy time to be in the Masich house, but somehow, it all happened. Along the way, he got involved in all of his kids' activities and helped Mom fundraise and build a ball diamond for the Prince George Ladies Slo-Pitch League.

In 1979, Dad was fortunate enough to have both Terry Fox and Rick Hansen compete in the Prince George to Boston Marathon. Terry and Rick used the race as a springboard to bigger things and cemented their places in Canadian history. It is fitting that Dad passed on a beautiful September morning – the day of the Terry Fox Run.

When the City of Prince George constructed Massey Place Stadium for the 1990 BC Summer Games, Dad promised that if they built it, he would bring them the world. Regional high-performance track meets in the early 90s brought the Pre-Commonwealth Games in 1994 where 350 athletes from around the Commonwealth converged on Prince George and put on a show never seen before. It was followed in 1995 with the highly successful Prince George International Meet. And in 1998 the Legion National Track and Field Championships for youth aged 14 – 17 was hosted by the Prince George Track and Field Club at Massey Place Stadium. Each of these meets raised the bar for other competitions across BC, and indeed, across the country.

In the late 1990s, Dad began a new chapter in his coaching career when he was asked by Loralyn Murdoch of the UNBC Women's Basketball team to help with their fitness and conditioning. Dad was thrilled and excited to be able to work with another group of athletes and became a fixture at their games and off-season practices. The girls dreaded the workouts but loved the jokes and chocolate that they got afterwards. It would not be too much to say that Loralyn, her coaching staff, and her team changed the way women's basketball was played in BC with their high level of fitness and athleticism.

Throughout his career as a coach and organizer, Dad touched the lives of thousands of people. His athletes went on to compete in the Olympics and World Championships, and other international, national, provincial, and local competitions. He was just as proud of those who achieved personal bests and discovered themselves along the way as he was for those who went on to achieve success on the large stage.

Dad worked as a carpenter for most of his time in Prince George. He always had lots of stories of his days running a construction company and the guys he worked with. Prince George is thick with projects and buildings that Dad constructed or worked on. He was; however, most proud of the work he did as the general superintendent on the Geoffrey R. Weller Library at UNBC. His work at UNBC allowed Dad to be part of the Queen's Receiving Line at the official opening of UNBC. It is a moment he cherished.

Dad loved to joke and laugh – he was a real prankster – and enjoyed the opportunity to share his wit with anyone. It was, at times, a struggle to keep up with him. Many are the stories of Dad leaving someone in stitches with a casual quip or some witty repartee. You could see the sparkle in his eye and knew something was coming.

Dad was deeply humbled and honoured by the accolades that were heaped upon him. Recognition from the City of Prince George for his community involvement came when he and Mom were presented with community volunteer awards and was solidified in 2005 when the name of Massey Place Stadium was changed to Masich Place Stadium. With his typical wit, Dad saw it more as a spelling correction than a name change.

In 1998 Dad was inducted into the Prince George Sports Hall of Fame for his contribution to the sporting community in Prince George. He was honoured to have his name included with the list of people he saw as champions of our community. Dad was recognized numerous times by BC Athletics for his work as a coach, builder, organizer, and official and in 1991 was inducted into the BC Athletics Hall of Fame.

All of Dad's endeavours could not have been successful without the unconditional love and support of his wife, Anne. Mom was the structure behind the scenes that supported his goals and provided him the opportunity to do what he did. As Dad grew increasingly frail, Mom became Dad's primary caregiver and took care of him through thick and thin. Her humility and grace are an example to us all. It is fitting that they were together when he passed.

If you were to ask Dad, he would say his greatest achievement was his family, and he loved us all dearly. Family, all family, was important to Dad. He was a devoted husband to mom, a proud father, happy grandpa, and delighted great grandpa. Dad's numerous nieces and nephews were a big part of who he was and he was as proud of them as could be.

When asked once why he did so much, Dad said that you can never do enough for the kids in your community. He wanted to give back as much as he could, and he did. Sometimes generous to a fault, Dad's legacy has been cemented in the people whose lives he touched, and in the people who continue to give back to their communities in whatever way possible.

Dad was predeceased by his parents, John and Annie; his siblings Bill, Margaret, Gwen, Helen, Irene, Dorothy, David, Alfred, and Ruth; his daughter Naida; and his great granddaughter Brooke. Dad is survived by his loving wife Anne and their loving children Sam, John (Karen), Laura, and Bill (Corine); six wonderful grandchildren, Randi, Sylvia, Olivia, Dawson, Karl, and Brianna; and his spectacular great granddaughter, Sophia; as well as numerous extended family members across the country. Dad also leaves behind thousands of friends, colleagues and athletes whom he was fortunate enough to meet in his wide and varied life.

We would like to thank everyone who helped make Dad's life easier the past few years. Dr. Syal, Dr. Roesch, and Dr Mackey provided invaluable medical assistance to Dad and we cannot thank you enough for your generosity, knowledge, compassion, and advice. The amazing staff at UHNBC provided incredible care when Dad was ill and were gracious in their treatment. We extend a huge thank you to the phenomenal people of Primary Care Team 5 who took such great of Dad for the past 19 months – the support and care received from the Home Care Nurses and the Home Support Workers was unparalleled; it is testament to your dedication that he made it as far as he did. The Red Cross was instrumental in helping to keep Dad at home for as long as possible and we could not have done it without your support. Gateway Lodge provided compassionate and caring assistance when Dad went into respite – we are so grateful for the opportunity to see the great work that you do. And finally, we would all like to thank the wonderful people who take on the task of caring for our sick and aged at the Prince George Hospice House. We stand in awe at the warm, gracious, and compassionate care that you provided to Dad at the end. To all of you, from the bottom of our hearts, Thank You.

At Dad's request there will be no service; however, in lieu of flowers, a donation to the Prince George Hospice Palliative Care Society or the Canadian Red Cross in Dad's name would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.