Thomas Harold Blatchford

Thomas Harold Blatchford
August 8, 1922 - May 7, 2013
Resident of Castro Valley "The Gentle Giant"
Tom Blatchford, 90, died Tuesday, May 7, 2013, at home after a challenging illness with COPD and congestive heart failure. During the entire illness Tom exhibited unparalleled strength and fortitude in his battle. He never lost his dry and witty sense of humor and kept anyone who came to visit him in his final days amused despite the circumstances. Tom was the son of Thomas Harold Blatchford and Lynda Victoria Barrett. Tom was born and raised in New Port, Rhode Island and he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age 18. Tom was a Navy Signalman on the U.S.S. Flotilla, U.S.S. Jupiter, U.S.S. Hopi and others. He served with valor and conviction and received numerous awards and letter of commendations, including a purple heart, during his time serving his country. After his service in the Navy, Tom made his home in Castro Valley, California. Tom retired from Resilient Floor Covering of Oakland, California. In addition to that work he was an entrepreneur, a "Floorologist", establishing a flooring business that he proudly operated for over 35 years. He installed carpet and linoleum in all of the finer homes in and around the San Francisco Bay Area and in the newly expanding Pleasanton and Livermore areas.
For a short time Tom and his first family spent time in Bella Coola, Canada, where he enjoyed living off the land and was considered a true Mountain Man. Nearly 50 years later, driving in his prized 1963 Chevy Impala, he returned to Lonesome Lake (Canada) with his good friend Jack Wynne to recreate his earlier experience and to relive the fond memories from his first adventure.
Tom was an avid gardener, a "Gentleman Farmer" in his words, and you always knew his tomatoes were the best in town, his string beans were tender, his zucchini was superior and his fava beans would never provide a bad meal. When he couldn't use something from his own garden, he picked it, baked it, stewed it or canned it and would give it to family and friends. He never let anyone go hungry. If you needed a pick me up, he made you a Gin & Tonic. If you needed some humor in your life, he had so many funny stories to tell he could go on for hours and keep you laughing. He was a friend to everyone and everyone's friend. If he saw a tree full of oranges in someone's backyard, he would ask to pick them and then he would take them to a local shelter. He wouldn't waste a thing or let anything go to waste. He will be remembered for his tender-hearted generosity, his bigger than life personality, his beautiful and tenderly cared for orchids, and his enormous heart of gold.
Tom leaves behind his 1st wife, Mary Clough Blatchford, his predeceased daughter Linda Handley, his son-in-law Harry Handley, his grandchildren Debbie (Aitor) Bidaburu and Tim Handley, and seven great-grandchildren. Tom also leaves behind his 2nd wife, Madelyn Boucher Blatchford. He was predeceased by his 3rd wife, Gerre Tomberlin Blatchford, his step-son Kelly Tomberlin and his daughter-in-law, Peggy Tomberlin, and leaves behind two step granddaughters, Jessica and Heather Norton. He was also predeceased by his 4th wife, Vita Tompkin Blatchford, and leaves behind two step-daughters, Gloria Devan and Gayle Cepparo, and four step-grandchildren. Additionally, he leaves behind the final woman in his life, Gibby Lamp, with whom he spent the last seven years living in peace, harmony and humor.
"A Wonderful Man, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-Grandfather, Friend"
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 30, 2013, at Tom's Castro Valley Home from 1:00 until 3:00. All are welcome as Tom welcomed everyone into his heart. If you are so inclined, please bring something to share with others. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of your choice, to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (in the name of Vita Blatchford) or to your local shelter.