Thomas Raymond Basinski

Tom was irreverent, professional, compassionate and a truly kind guy. I loved working with him whenever I had the chance and really enjoyed seeing him grow as an author during his "retirement" years. One of his favorite quotes was tongue-in-cheek..."if it didn't happen that way it should have." While his life didn't close exactly the way it should have and he left us all way too early, I still smile at all the good memories. Tom and I both have been thinking about you, Judy, as well as...

Judy, Nick & Katie, Joe & Talitha, Madison & Brooklyn,

With heavy hearts we offer you our thoughts and prayers and sorrow at Tommy's death. Tommy was the shining star of his family. We all loved him and I must admit, felt sad when he moved to CA, because that meant we wouldn't see him very often.

I know how much he loved you and how proud he was of each of you, his eyes sparkled when he talked about you.

I remember how proud grandpa was when Tom decided to...

I was sitting outside the exercise room at the South Bay Family YMCA, reading the Star News while I waited for my friend Gwen to finish her exercises when a tall, slim guy walked over to me and said, "I see you're reading the Star News, do you read it often?" "As a matter of fact, I do." I answered. "Do you read Tom Basinski's column?" he asked. All the time," I answered. "I'm Tom Basinski!" "Oh! I didn't recognize you without the hat! Can you please sit down, I'm getting an awful...

Tom Basinski was from Flint, Michigan. His grandfather, Whitey Basinski, was a Flint cop and a professional wrestler on the side.

Tom Basinski started out to be a priest, but became a cop instead. When the Flint chief interviewed him and suggested that switching from religion to police work was a stretch, Tom explained that both professions were about helping people.

Tom Basinski was a Pabst Blue Ribbon guy. He started drinking Pabst when it was a premium beer and stayed...

Tom and I went to Law School back in the early 70's when he lived in National City and I lived in Chula Vista. I knew him prior to Law School as I was President of Theta Chi Fraternity at SDSU and I had a home in Chula Vista. We had a party at my house and I got Tom to "pull over" one of our Brothers and give him the riot act for dating a certain young lady, speeding, etc. He was a wonderful person and I am sure he will be sorely missed. My sympathy to his family.

Ardon...

The first umpire I ever met. Tom was full of great wisdom after the game that helped me in my baseball endeavors. Tom will be sorely missed. It was always nice seeing him at the 7:00 a.m. Mass at St. Pius.

Tom was the perfect example of a person who could sever his community as a police officer and investigator and remain a true gentleman. He was a mentor for many of us, including me at the Chula Vista Police Department. He was a leader, mentor and overall kind person who always left a positive lasting impression on everyone he came into contact with. We have lost a truly remarkable person who will never be forgotten. Rest in peace my friend.

Loved to talk to him about his writing...
Louis Lurie,M.D.

Last Wednesday we lost one of the truly good guys. And I lost a friend. Tom was a mentor to me in my law enforcement career. I learned a lot from him. He had a great sense of humor. He made work fun. He once told me, Why just do it, when you can overdue it! I will always remember that phase and think of Tom every time I hear it. Well, I'm sure Tom is in heaven now, and God will have his hands full. Rest in Peace Tommy boy!