Dr. Thomas M. Lembo

Thomas Lembo Obituary

DR. THOMAS M. LEMBO, a clinical veterinarian in the Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, died January 18, 2004. Born in New York in 1954, he is survived by his wife of more than 10 years, Susan Custead; his mother, Mary Filkin of Troy, New York; his brother Rick Lembo of Boston; his brother Steve Lembo of Troy; and many, many friends. Thom, a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves, earned his Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University in 1993. He received further training at Mystic Seaport Aquarium in Mystic, Connecticut, and returned to M.D. Anderson in 1994. Among the many things Thom will be remembered for are his quick wit, booming laughter, hilarious storytelling, and limitless generosity to his friends. He was a dedicated volunteer for the Humane Ranch of Texas, lending both his veterinary skills and labor tending ill horses. He loved Jazz music, fencing, cycling and a fine cigar. A gifted chef, his and Susan's boisterous dinner parties will be sorely missed. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 3006 Rosedale St., Houston. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Thom's name to the charity of your choice.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Houston Chronicle from Jan. 25 to Jan. 26, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Lembo

13 Entries

Eliot W. Collins

March 5, 2024

Thom was a friend of mine at SUNY Brockport around 1973. He was such as nice guy, and far more sensible than the rest of us. I am sorry to hear of his passing. The years go by too quickly.

Christine Wixted Aldrich

February 7, 2004

I am Chrissy, the youngest cousin of the nine in the Lembo family. Being youngest meant I got to be the family pest and get away with it. I will always remember Thom as “Tommy”, the older cousin who did not allow his brothers, “Ricky” and “Stevie” to thrash me when I was being more annoying than usual. My brother, Matt, and sister, Patty, were the Florida cousins so when we came to New York for a visit Tommy had to instruct us about winter weather. We borrowed parkas and gloves and made our first snowman, had snow ball fights and attempted to stay up on skis. Tommy was a patient and fair teacher, except for the fact that he did not warn us that you DON’T run warm water over extremely cold hands after you come in from the snow. The way he belly laughed at the stinging we felt in our hands made us feel that we had fulfilled some kind of rite of passage. Together we mounted missions to swipe Grandma’s fried dough or meatballs while they were still cooling off. I faked an injury. He swiped the food. I think Gram knew but we still never got caught or faced the wrath of her “wooden spoon”.

Thom will be sorely missed and never forgotten. All our love and sympathy from Florida.

Aunt Fanny

January 30, 2004

Dear Susan, we sure will miss him

I'll remember him at Steven's

wedding cutting up and having a great time. Sorry we didn't

get to see more of each other.

Patricia Wixted-Butler

January 29, 2004

Aunt Mary and Cousin-In-Law Susan,

His presense filled the room with laughter. My best memories are of Thom and his brothers competing for laughs around the dinner table when we were kids. His wit, and kind soul will be missed but never forgotten. Love to you both, Patty

Leesa Maldonado

January 27, 2004

It is times like this, when we lose a friend and commerade that we stop to think about how short and precious life is. I often thought about Thom and many of our other classmates, colleagues and friends but was always "too busy" to keep in close contact. Life is too short and we need to make time for each other. I wiil miss Thom very much, even though I havent seen in him sometime, the thought of him just being, was enough. I will remember our times as student representatives and all the comic relief he gave us. My condolences to the family of a much loved man and friend. He will be missed.

Morris M. Cannon

January 26, 2004

I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your husband, please accept my sympathies. I know this will be a great loss to you, my prayers are with you.

Britt Clay, DVM

January 26, 2004

Dear Lembo Family,

My family and I are sorry to not be there tomorrow. We grieve with y'all and our prayers are with you. He was a great guy to go through vet school with...4 years of grueling studies brings out the deepest parts of one's character and Thom's only negative (rare) comment about anyone or anything was Shively's anatomy test or a parasitology test (and he would have you rolling with laughter by the end of his description of it!). He will be missed.

Kirstin Barnhart

January 26, 2004

Thom has been like a big brother to me throughout vet school and the past 10 years. I came to him numerous times for advice and commiseration which he always gave gladly with that big laugh and good humor that he will always be remembered for. It has only been a few weeks since he and I last talked about my life, his life, pig bone marrows, and other miscellaneous things. I simply cannot believe he left us so suddenly. Thom, you will be missed terribly!

Valerie Thomas Hamilton

January 26, 2004

Thom, you were a wonderful presence at Vet school and since. I will miss your good cheer. My sympathies to your family on their great loss.

Mike Buschel

January 26, 2004

I still remember his humor in class and that great laugh. My thought are with your family. I will remember you in my prayers.

Oscar and Elise Ramirez

January 26, 2004

Thom's enthusiasm, humor and love of life made our four years of vet school a lot more enjoyable. He will be dearly missed by everyone whose life he touched.

Louis Verdile

January 23, 2004

A very special man who loved his wife, family, friends and animals very much.

We all benefited from his presence and he will be missed.

Anthony Nagengast

January 23, 2004

You will be missed but never forgotten. Your smile and the laughter you brought to everyone will always be in our thoughts.

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