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BORN
1949
DIED
2021
Thomas MOORE Obituary
Tom couldn't imagine a day without a pen in his hand. But on May 5 he did not go to his drafting board. Instead, he stayed in bed and died peacefully as he had hoped to, with loving family all around.
Son of Albert Keith Moore and Myra Isabel Moore (nee Jackson) of Winnipeg, and younger brother to Judy and Sylvia, Tom was born in Hamilton and brought up in Burlington. In 1966 Tom attended Neuchatel Junior College in Switzerland where he met lifelong friends, including his wife to be, Deborah Louise Barton of Vancouver.
From the age of seven Tom knew he wanted to be an architect. And so, after returning from Switzerland, Tom entered the School of Architecture at the University of Toronto. Upon graduation in 1973 he won the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada's Student Gold Medal.
A travelling scholarship sent him and Debbie on a 'wanderjahr' after graduation. Stories of these times forged a strong love of travel and independence among their children.
Tom's career began at Carruthers Shaw Architects in Toronto before he moved on to form Grey-Noble and Moore Architects and then Thomas Moore Architect Limited. His work spanned retail, commercial, residential and golf club design. It evolved into cottage design in Ontario and then in Prince Edward Island where he built his family cottage in 1988. His designs were beautiful, thoughtful and uniquely detailed. They encouraged people to come together to create new and treasured memories.
Married in 1974, Debbie and Tom began their family in 1978 with the birth of son Jesse followed in 1981 by daughter Dana. The family was raised in Toronto's Beaches neighbourhood, with summers spent at the cottage in PEI. Jesse later married Natasha Sweeney and Dana married Galen Dineen. Four beautiful grandchildren - Leo, Marlowe, Rowan, and Forrester - made Tom a very happy and proud Grandfather.
Tom was diagnosed with advanced cancer more than six years ago. He knew his time was limited and wanted to use it well. He traveled to Kenya and designed the Nairobi headquarters for his son's company. He designed a Toronto lane house that involved Jesse, Natasha, Dana, and Galen. He expanded the family cottage, Moondock. And he co-founded the St. Peters Harbour Lighthouse Society, spearheading efforts for the community to purchase and restore this beautiful and iconic building.
Tom never met a map, a crossword or a sundowner G&T he didn't like. He loved to play golf, especially when he was putting well. He loved to host a party or event, especially golf tournaments. He loved to practice yoga at his daughter's hot yoga studio. And he loved to sketch.
He was a stubborn, caring, and artistic man. No amount of cancer could keep him from his drafting board, until his very last day.
A special thanks to the many members of his medical team at Michael Garron hospital who supported him so well for so many years, including Dr. Jing Li, Dr. Kevin Workentin and Dr. Rajiv Singal.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
If you would like to donate in his name, please consider the St. Peters Harbour Lighthouse Society. www.stpetersharbourlighthouse.com
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas MOORE
15 Entries
Nissan Ikhlassi
August 16, 2024
I worked with Tom for a year, during which I learned about cottage design , I especially admired his sketches, his attention to details, and his attitude of truth toward the profession. It's been a long time, I wish I reconnected earlier. Today, I found this Obituary, I am so saddened. I wish I had one more conversation. What a loss.
Elizabeth Ainslie
September 18, 2021
I've been reflecting on Debbie, Jesse and Dana's loss of their very loving husband and father, Tom. This past week, I spent a week with Debbie and our 'WWW' group at their beautiful PEI cottage and in doing so, came to even more appreciate this phenomenal family. Tom's architecture of the cottage was soothing to my soul and facilitated many moments of laughter, energy and 'stillness' amongst us. I have known Tom from a distance for almost 30 years and throughout, have been so awed by the amazing things that have stemmed from his and Debbie's creativeness and strength.
My huge condolences to Debbie and Dana and Jesse.
Sally Holton
July 21, 2021
I am so very sorry to hear of Tom's passing.
In 2004 he redesigned our kitchen in our 1905 Toronto house. I have always felt it to be the most beautiful kitchen in the world: it takes full advantage of the view to the backyard and, in winter, the city lights beyond; it is beautiful, personal and functional. Perfection! I learned so much working with Tom on that project and I remain in awe of his design sense and attention to detail.
To Debbie and family,
I hope that time will be your friend.
susan burgess
June 13, 2021
endlessly creative and restless and brilliant
Mary Richardson and Kurt Kroesen
May 17, 2021
Mary and I, like many, got to know Tom through work on the St. Peter's Harbour lighthouse. He was so energetic and committed to the project of preserving and restoring it that one could only admire him for his dedication. Tom, along with the help of family and friends, created his own legacy and memorial. Who can think of this lighthouse as anything other than Tom's Place from here on in? We will miss him but remember him every time we walk by it.
Michael Shortly
May 16, 2021
I was deeply saddened to hear of Tom's passing and my sincere condolences to the entire Moore family
.Even though it has been a number of years since I have seen Tom I have fond memories when he organized several golf tournaments in the finest golf courses in PEI and hosted our group of eight at Moondock
Joe Carrier
May 16, 2021
Dear Debbie, Kids and Grandkids.
That was a wonderful and thoughtful memorial for Tom.
I learned things I did not know. Thanks for that.
He was a fine human being, a generous soul and a great host.
My sympathies for your loss.
Sincerely,
Joe Carrier
l
Tom Murray & Joan O’Connor
May 16, 2021
It was a special treat to share some great times with Tom & his very extensive family & freinds. Joan & I share their loss with great memories
Laura Berton
May 15, 2021
Dear Debbie, Jesse, and Dana,
I am so deeply and truly sorry for your devastating loss - there are no words.
I know how much Tom loved you all and loved his family.
What a creative, intelligent, and inspiring person!
I’m lucky to have known him.
Sending you so much love, support, and comfort.
Love,
Laura Berton
Maureen Ledwell and Chris Halford
May 15, 2021
We can echo what Sharon said about Tom and our cottage rebuild project, he saved us from all kinds of false starts. He also got us into supporting the St Peter's Harbour Lighthouse Society as it was getting off the ground so wegot to see his capabilities to get things done! We were impressed by his dedication to the Morell/St Peters area in general and his help in promoting the Morell Co-op's food basket program. He was a very interesting and helpful guy. RIP and condolences to his family and friends. He sure did things with his life!
Maureen Ledwell and Chris Halford
May 15, 2021
We met Tom when he came to our cottage to help us decide how best to tackle the rebuilding project. He gave us all sorts of helpful advice, a plan and a way to go forward with the project. At the end of his site visit, he approached us about donating to the St Peter's Harbour Lighthouse Society when he was just getting it off the ground, I did and that meant that I had the opportunity to see the way he went about getting that ball rolling and his ongoing commitment to the local area, including publicising a food basket project run by the Morell Co-op. He was a real mover and shaker and an interesting and helpful human being. RIP and condolences to his family and friends.
robert shortly
May 15, 2021
Tom and I interacted on many levels.
I was at his wedding to Debbie He was at my Wedding to Jan
At the business level he was my Architect and I was his Accountant
(Creativity versus Constraint!!)
At the social level we experienced many golf ,baseball and business adventures
Dominican Republic, Jamaica, California, North Carolina, New York ,Boston ,Chicago, Mexico, New Orleans, Washington, Bermuda ,Florida Keys, Puerto Rico, Cape Breton and last but not least the many Skins games in PEI
In our earlier years we were fiercely competitive but as time passed
we both mellowed out
To say I will miss him is beyond an understatement
Robert Shortly
Vera
May 15, 2021
Since meeting Tom and having the great privilege of having a peek inside your beautiful summer home, I never make a visit to the lighthouse without thinking if you all! Tom's commitment to this cause really brought the local and summer islander communities together, and his work will be a legacy here on PEI. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to cross paths with this human! My thoughts are with you at this challenging time.
Sharon Ledwell
May 15, 2021
I was saddened to hear of Tom's death and wish to offer my condolences to his family. We had the very good fortune to work with Tom on our cottage rebuild at Lakeside, PEI - just down the road from Tom's own cottage. Ours was a very modest job by comparison to many in his portfolio but Tom undertook it with the utmost professionalism. I can honestly say he saved us months if not years by educating us during a short conference call about the permitting processes and zoning regulations - this was helpful and practical advice. Most importantly though, he was able to rethink how best to situate the new cottage which was invaluable. I feel so grateful to have had Tom work on our humble little place which we have been enjoying for the last two years. He was very well regarded at our end of the island by clients and builders alike. I will think of him whilst I enjoy an evening G&T at the little Lakeside haven he helped create.
Bruce Edwards
May 15, 2021
Very sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I often think of Tom and his dad throwing the football around on the front lawn in the summer evenings when I recall our golden Deyncourt past.
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