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Thomas Twilley Obituary
Passed away on July 23, 2011.
He was the son of the late Jackson and Olive (Clayton) Twilley. He was raised in Marshallton, Delaware and moved to the Delaware beach in 2002. Tom attended John Dickinson High School class of 65, graduated from Mars Hill College and graduate school Appalachian State University.
Tom taught at Warner Middle School, Howard High School and Brandywine High School. Tom was honored by the students of Brandywine High School for teacher of the year. He was instrumental in organizing the La Crosse team, SAVE (Students against violation of the Environment). Tom was also an instructor at Goldey Beacon College where he taught Anatomy and Physiology. He was nominated for the Presidential Award for teaching.
He is survived by his sisters, Jacque Hershour and husband Jack and Carol Pierce and her husband Dennis; his neice and nephews, Greg Evans, Amy Gustafson, Brian Nitchman (Nancy), Tim Evans (Carla) and Uncle Robert Burn.
Memorial service will be held on, July 30, at the Longneck United Methodist Church 32051 Longneck Road, Millsboro, Delaware at 10 am.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to Delaware Hospice Center, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963.
Online condolences may be sent by visiting
www.melsonfuneralservices.com
302-732-9000
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Twilley
Edgar Brinkley
July 23, 2020
It is hard to believe Tom has been gone nine (9) years. He is gone from this Earth, but, he is still in our hearts. Tom is still remembered for being a "genuine" person, caring for all the people that he knew. Tom is a person that you will never forget. Still missing!!!
Edgar Brinkley
sue
August 27, 2011
REST IN PEACE MR. T....YOU WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND MISSED!!! ONE DAY WE WILL MEET AGAIN ON THE OTHER SIDE....BE AT PEACE. SUE (THE CELL PAGE 200) MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS TO MR. T'S FAMILY.
Mark McCormick
August 20, 2011
Mr. Twilley was the type of person who touched the lives of those around him in a special way. He positively impacted many high school students and has left a lasting memory on me. His loss is felt by many, and my family's thoughts are with his family during this sad time.
Sharon Lantz
August 18, 2011
Tom. I so wish you could read these tributes. Be at peace and know how very much you are missed. My heart hurts..
Ted Brinkley
August 15, 2011
I got to know Tom about 15 years ago. Since he and I were both teachers we shared our love for teaching. Tom was a very dear friend and we stayed in touch via emails when we both left the teaching profession. Tom was a strong man and he fought a good battle. He always had a smile on his face. No matter how much he was suffering, he, always inquired about how I was doing and what I was up to since retiring. I tried e-mailing him in recent months and did not get a response. But I kept trying. The world is a lonely place now that he is gone. He is gone but will not be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to his surviving family. Just know that Tom is at peace and his suffering is over.
With deepest sympathy,
Ted Brinkley, Philadelphia, PA.
Meredith Greenfield -Toman
August 10, 2011
The ironic part as I read through my former classmates comments is that even though you may not of had Mr Twilley as a teacher (which I did not ) we all knew him and knew his smile. He was one that walked down the halls and joked and laughed whether he knew you or not . He had a genuine love for his job and a sense of purpose as to why he became a teacher in the first place.
God bless his family and let them find solice in the overwhelming amount of people Mr. Twilley touched.. whether he knew it or not.
Meredith (Greenfield) Toman
BHS CLASS OF 95
Nikki Gorsuch
August 10, 2011
Mr. Twilley was definitely a highlight of my time at BHS. I remember him helping me after class and helping me raise my grade to an A+ by the end of the year. He also was so dedicated to SAVE club--I'll never forget how after we had helped clean up Murphy road he'd treat us to water ice at N'awlins (another fine Wilmington establishment I miss!). Awesome man--will definitely be missed!
Judy Taylor Short
August 6, 2011
Tom was a classmate of mine at Mars Hill. He was a kind and gentle soul then too. I will always have fond memories of him. Be at Peace Dear Friend.
Treasure White
August 5, 2011
Mr. Twilley was my homeroom teacher for 9th and 11th grade at Brandywine High School. He was very kind, and had a sense of humor that made the sun want to shine so much brighter. He was a remarkable person, and he will be sorely missed. To the family of Mr. Twilley: May God bless you in your time of bereavement.
Leslie Hailey
August 3, 2011
Mr. Twilley was a teacher of mine - not just of school subjects but also of life. He will be greatly missed, but his legacy will live on through the many lives that he touched and made better.
Anika Townsend
August 1, 2011
I didn't have Mr. Twilley as a teacher, but everytime i saw him in the hallway, he always had a smile on his face.. i am sure he is smiling down on us, from heaven.. God bless Mr. Twilley and his family.. I know you will always cherish his memory..
BHS class of 1993
Roberta Jones
August 1, 2011
Tom, a friend for fifty seven years. You have been a part of my life since we were in second grade. We grew up and you stayed in my life to become a good friend to my husband, watch my children grow up and enjoyed so many laughs and good times together. We had such good times with you at your beloved retirement home in the sun. You did good for just a poor guy from Marshallton. What an inspirational teacher and human being you became. I'll always cherish your memory, the great times we had, the two hour telephone calls, the dinners, the lunches, the brunches. You will be dearly missed, that contagious laugh, your sense of humor, kindness and especially your friendship. Hope you are in a place in the sun, listening to your beloved ocean. Will remember you always.
Ron Klopfer
July 31, 2011
I really enjoyed the many years of team teaching AP Biology with Tom---he was always a true inspiration to his students and fellow faculty. His quirky sense of humor and his infectious smile was enjoyed by everyone. You will be missed my friend--RIP
Aniruddh Patel
July 31, 2011
Mr. Twilley lit the fire of learning for me in the field of biology, which led me to choose this field as my career. His infectious enthusiasm for the field, his sense of fun, and his humanity all had a huge influence on me and many other students. As a parent, I hope my children will one day have a teacher like him. My deepest condolences to his loved ones. -- Ani Patel, BHS '83.
Karen (Bachman) Rosica
July 31, 2011
Tom, I can still hear your laugh. What a great sense of humor you always had. I have so many good memories from so many years - Riding bikes to Hoopes Resevoir, minature golf and the old Tastee Freeze and Almart, the prom, watching Alfred Hitchcock...."Stella!!"..dinners with you, Roberta and Becky. You were truly one of a kind and after reading what your students all said about you, I'm only sorry I couldn't have been in your class. You made such a difference in so many lives and will live on in the hearts and minds of everyone whose life you touched.
susan (hertzenberg) hendrich - '87
July 31, 2011
the world is a better place because of you, tom twilley. you inspired not only my career choice, but my belief in the magic of science. i am forever grateful for your magnificent energy and belief in all of us.
Mike Brown
July 30, 2011
I can still remember so much from Mr. Twilley's class, his style definitely had a way of getting information to stick in our brains. He had us memorize what DDT stood for, taught us about MSG, explained how scary Malaria is, and gave us a crash course on genetics and blood types ("Universal donor. Universal recipient. Listen up, children...of the corn.") On test days he would pretend that he was moving on to question number two before the bell had even rang so kids started running in and sitting down thinking they were missing the test. Very sad to hear of his passing.
J M
July 30, 2011
I wish Mr. Twilley could be around to read all of these. I think these messages would have meant a lot. Mr Twilley was one of the quirkiest people I have ever met, and that was something I absolutely loved. I remember when he made the whole class chant over and over "Burned the book! Banned the book! Burned the BSCS book!" I have no idea how many times we repeated this mantra, but I can guarantee that I will NEVER forget it. I wish I had told him how great he was back then... instead of waiting until now. (Brandywine class of 2002)
July 30, 2011
Dear Carol and Family: We send to your our sincere condolences and sympathy for the loss of a great guy. We have so many fond memories of such great times shared with Tommy. Hopefully your memories will carry you through your sorrow during this very sad time. Because we are hosting out of town guest for a family event we will not be able to come to the service. Please know we will be thinking of you all. Fondly, Chris and Lisa Robinson, Newark, DE
Ian Bishop
July 29, 2011
My best friend Tom!
Yo Dude! Our trip to Key West last year is one I will never forget. You were so happy and full of life. Coffee on the deck in the morning and talking till noon. Great dinners on the water. Late night cocktails under the stars at the "Garden of Eden". We owned the town!
So many great times together. You were a true friend.
Sandie Coffey - Carroll
July 29, 2011
Tommy will be remembered and missed by MANY. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and special friends at this sad time.
July 29, 2011
Mr. Twilley certainly knew how to connect with a class and make them not only want to learn, but actually enjoy learning. RIP Mr. Twilley and thanks, I feel blessed to have known you...Dawn Eshelman-McClintock BHS'84
joanna sullivan
July 29, 2011
your passion and love of teaching was truly infectious. you fostered a love and genuine interest for biology and science in general that so few teachers were able to do. i am blessed to have had the honor of being your student. your legacy lives on through your many students. you will be missed.
Rachel Weiner
July 29, 2011
Looking at his former students' comments, from the 80's and 90's, it's clear to see that he had a long and famous career. He was my teacher in 1999, and was *still* energizing and engaging. I'll never forget my first day in his class when he threw a sheep's brain at me to see if I'd catch it. (I did) :-)
You will be missed, Mr. Twilley. Thank you for everything.
Kerri (Silverman) Stringer
July 29, 2011
I was saddened to hear of Mr. Twilley's passing. As my teacher at Brandywine he was inspirational, asking us to question and explore the wonders of our physical world. A few years ago, through the power of Facebook, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with him and he was just as inspiring as always. He will be greatly missed...
Jay Black
July 29, 2011
What can I say? The man! Loved his classes and his way of teaching or connecting with us. Very sad to hear.
Erin Benner
July 29, 2011
Thank you Mr. Twilley, for your inspiration, humor and some of the most memorable classes of my entire formal education. From the frog dissection to "reading auras", "blood is beautiful", I will never forget you. BHS Class of 1992.
Jennifer Haughton
July 29, 2011
One of those teachers you never forget. he had a way of repeating things and looking around the room that really made you pay attention. Mr. Twilley was a great influence on us at BHS. RIP sir!
Kristin Collier
July 29, 2011
I always hated science classes except for Mr. Twilley's. He was definitely one of the best teachers I ever had! His legacy lives on in the hundreds of students today who remember mitosis because of him.
Jean Toombs
July 29, 2011
In tears, Tom. We loved you and shall forever miss you.
Carol (Baker) Cubeta
July 29, 2011
So sorry to hear about Tommy (what we called him growing up). I recall the fun we all had growing up in Marshallton. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Beth Clough Bock
July 29, 2011
God Bless you Mr. Twilley! You will be dearly missed. My heart goes out to your family. You will be deeply missed.
Mike Turnauer
July 29, 2011
Very sad to hear about Tom Twilley's passing. He was truly one of the classroom greats. His colorful mnemonics have withstood the test of time as evidenced on many chat boards. Never to be forgotten also is the most outspoken MLK Day narrative of my classroom experience: Twilley's characterization of King's assassin as a "sicko". I was taken aback by this biology class-based civics lesson. That moment perhaps more than any other made me proud to have known him and been one of his students. I suspect that Twilley similarly touched many of his students and colleagues in ways beyond his imagination. (BHS '85)
July 29, 2011
Ahhhhhhh, Mr Twilley.....I can only hope you can see the stardust of LIFE that you passed along to all you touched...especially your students. Your enthusiasm, your laughter, your booming voice, your phrases, and the fact that you truly cared about each of us is a gift that is priceless.
I am another biology major inspired by my days learning about the mighty mitochondria. Thank You.
Many of us will carry on this fight .....
Blood Is Beautiful......
Abby Duncan
Tim Sullivan
July 28, 2011
Tom made such a difference in so many kids lives! He made an awkward teen feel like the coolest kid in class. He made me a better man and he did this for so many! Diplopada, Chilopada, Insecta, Crusuacea, Oceanta...see Tom, I never forgot the 5 classifications.....Tim "Dirt" Sullivan 85'
Jeff Pelly- Class of 1995 BHS
July 28, 2011
Mr. Twilley had a passion for teaching, but a bigger passion for the ones he taught. He has inspired many people in various ways. Though he has passed on he will never be forgotten. You have taught us all something, whether it be a lesson in education or in life. We will continue to pass these lessons on.
Jennifer Kutney
July 28, 2011
Mr. Twilley was one of my favorite people from high school. He was not just a fantastic and memorable teacher, but an incredibly kind and caring person. He will be missed.
Mary Wright
July 28, 2011
What a joy is was to have Tom Twilley as a friend. Even better to have him as a colleague! His laugh was contagious; his smile infectious; his passion for teaching AND his students inspirational. I will always remember the good times- thank you for being my friend, Tom.
Rob McFarland
July 28, 2011
Farewell Mr. Twilley. You truly were one of the greats. You touched so many people, and strived so much to get us to think for ourselves. Thank you for your influence.
Carolyn Neblett (Strobel)
July 28, 2011
Page 200, THE CELL
10-4,10-4, BSCS, BSCS
Mighty Mitochondria
I can hear him now- oh, how we adored the man!
Thanks Mr. Twilley, you'll certainly be missed.
Jill Mackey (Feldman)
July 28, 2011
Mr. Twilley was by far the best teacher I have ever had. He is the reason I majored in Biology and he helped me to be the physician I am today. I am very sad to hear of his passing. I pray for his family.
Jessica Sidler Folsom
July 28, 2011
A wonderful teacher that inspired so many of us! What a sad day for educators with the loss of Mr. Twilley. I can only hope to reach a small portion of the students that you reached!
Jeannie McMullen
July 28, 2011
A teacher that made me want to be a teacher...you will be missed.
Neil Rosen
July 28, 2011
I had Mr. Twilley for biology at Brandywine in 80-81. "Excellent" teacher and a great class to look forward to every day. I think "blood is beautiful" every time I head down to the Blood Bank. Rest in peace, Mr. Twilley and condolences to the family.
Larry Murphy
July 28, 2011
Twilley used to say to me as I rolled into his class late, "father murphy, has just returned, from church". Mr. Twilley, you were hands down the teacher that had the most impact to literally thousands of students. You will be forever in our hearts. God Bless You and may you rest in peace
Mark Fitzpatrick
July 28, 2011
I will never forget your love and enthusiam for not only all THAT you taught, but all WHOM you taught. You always knew how to not only keep our attention, but make us feel like we could do anything. You were a true original and shall never be forgotten by all who you've touched. And for one last time, "No, I dont karyotes, EUKARYOTES!"
Ron Jones
July 28, 2011
Tom buddy...just like that ride up to Bald Mountain near Asheville in '71 and the plane ride over Rehoboth last year...you brought joy wherever you were. You were a true friend and I am a better man having known you.
Ahmed
July 28, 2011
Such a wonderful teacher, he had a unique way of relating the material to his students so that they not only learned, but also enjoyed the subject matter. A true loss for future students, and all that were lucky enough to have known him.
Jed aka Jon Shidler
July 28, 2011
Twilley the mad scientist! You were the only adult in the world who could call me "dirtball" and "rugrat" when I was late, irritate me, then five minutes later enthrall me with a subject I never thought I'd care about, and answer specific questions as if they were the most important that day. One of the best teachers I have had. Hearing you were well always made me smile, but I still do at the thought of you going on ahead. All the best...
Laura Curtin
July 28, 2011
you inspired me and encouraged all of us to be and do everything we wanted. That there was so much more out here for us.
Mr. Twilley you will never be forgotten.
Ashley Lange
July 28, 2011
Mr Twilley is the entire reason that I have a degree in Biology. I lived for his class and the trip to Paris and London that he chaperoned was unforgettable. Truly a teacher's teacher.
Kristy Truax Nichols
July 28, 2011
A man with so much passion, that even fifteen years after graduation, I still remember the proper name for lung tissue. Mr. Twilley was a fantastic teacher that I will always remember fondly for his love of science and his love of his students. Thank you, Mr. Twilley.
PS - It's pseudo-stratified ciliated columnar epithelial tissue.
Debbie (Paul) Lepre
July 28, 2011
As a 1982 graduate of Brandywine, Mr. Twilley was my biology teacher as well. He had a tremendous love for teaching that he exhibited with every student that was in his class. There wasn’t a day that went by that Mr. Twilley didn’t make you laugh or have a special phrase for you to remember what he was teaching that day. We need more teachers to express their love of teaching the way that Mr. Twilley did. He would be very honored today to know how many lives he truly touched - if he didn’t know already. God Bless You Mr. Twilley !!! You will be missed!!!
Jeanette Milerski Filiaggi
July 28, 2011
I am so sorry to hear about Tom's passing. I have many memories of Tom from when we were kids growing up in the same neighborhood and riding the bus to school. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Allison Wachowski/Gardner
July 28, 2011
You influenced so many of us and made us better people for knowing you. Strong but kind. You made a difference in my life! I'll see ya on the other side!
Lori Zaspel
July 28, 2011
Mr. Twilley was always an original. He taught with passion and it was contagious. Never once did I dread his class. I wish peace to his family and feel sorrow for all the future students of the world who won't have the opportunity to learn from such a great guy.
"Ovaries children, ovaries!"
Dan Jay (Jandrisevits)
July 28, 2011
The photo of him smiling like that could have been taken at any time during any day of any year. The world could use more teachers like Tom Twilley. God speed Mr. Twilley.
Nicolle Rotteveel ( nee Petticrew)
July 28, 2011
I am saddened by the loss of a great teacher. I had Mr. Twilley for the 1989/1990 school year and he made me excited about biology as well as about learning in general. I will never forget him. My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Mark Yerger
July 28, 2011
"10-2!! 10-2!! Having a baby!!!" Those words still ring in my mind. He really did have an enthusiasm for teaching that so few people have. Every alumni of Brandywine that I meet always had great words to say about Mr. Twilley. He was truly loved by all. Just an awesome gentleman.
Kathy Donatello - Forte
July 28, 2011
Mr Twilley, you made high school a little bit easier to get through! You were an awesome teacher, eventhough disecting worms and frogs were never my thing! You touched many lives.
May the Lord keep you.
Andrew Goodwin
July 28, 2011
Hands down, Tom Twilley was my favorite teacher of all time. A Teacher who taught TO his students, not at them. Someone who engaged you, and made you want to learn. I can still hear him saying things like, "Blood is beautiful" and "Mighty Mitochondria". The void his passing leaves in the World, and in the hearts of the countless students he touched in his career, is certainly measurable. Having more people like "Twills" on this Earth would make it a FAR better place. {Namaste}
Stephanie Gale Parrish
July 28, 2011
Words cannot express the deep sadness I feel over the loss of my beloved Twill-Dawggie. He was not only my teacher, but one of my dearest friends of almost 30 yrs. He was always there for me throughout the roughest points of my life. Offering words of wisdom, advice and most important, a positive way of looking at everything. He continued to teach me long after I was his student. His (always cheerful) emails, letters and phone calls always brightened up my day. The world has lost a truly amazing man. I will hold him forever in my heart. Love to all his family and friends.
Amy-Joy Andrews (Kramer)
July 28, 2011
I had him as a Biology teacherat Brandywine in 1986. He was always good for a laugh!
Heather Gatta
July 28, 2011
Mr. Twilley is one of the reasons why I sought a career in the sciences. He was a great teacher.
Glenn Wootten
July 27, 2011
I had Mr. Twilley at Brandywine H.S. back in 1980. Everyone remembers that certain teacher that had so much enthusiasm for their job that it touched the students hearts. That was Mr. Twilley.
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