Thomas Michael Atkinson

Thomas Michael Atkinson 1952 - 2006 Thomas Michael Atkinson passed peacefully away on August 26, 2006 at the age of 53, succumbing after a year-long battle with a glioblastoma brai n tumor. In his last hours he was surrounded by family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Cindy; his two daughters, Christina and Laura; their mother, Debbie; and his sister Judy. He was what some people call a self-made man, but the truth is that he was very well made to begin with. Tom was born in Long Beach in 1952 to Virgil and Adeline Atkinson, two devoutly religious people who lived the values they instilled in Tom-kindness, generosity, trustworthiness, strength in adversity, and gratitude in go od fortune. Tom graduated from St. Anthony's high school in 1970, and that was it as far as formal schooling for him. Though keenly intelligent, he loved to use his intelligence in practical ways. He started out in the paving business and stayed with it for the rest of his life, ending up as the owner and CEO of Atkinson Paving. Tom was co-owner (along with lifelong friend Brian Kyle) of the Seal Beach Irish tavern O'Malley's-On-Main. He was also co-owner (with his wife, Cindy) of The Coffee Cup restaurant in Long Beach. Along the way he had two daughters, both by his first wife, Debbie Atkinson, who remained a close and important family friend for the rest of his life. Tom and wife Cindy spent eighteen joyous and high-spirited years together, traveling all over the world and hosting innumerable social gatherings at their Huntington Beach home. Few people have made so many friends in so short a time as Tom Atkinson, friends who showed their true mettle and loyalty during the long months of Tom's battle with t he disease. The Atkinson family wishes to thank and embrace them all. A Rosary will be held at St. Bonaventure Church at 16400 Springdale St. Huntington Beach, CA 92649 at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday evening, August 31st. Tom's funeral mass will be held Friday morning, September 1st at 10:00 a.m. at St. Bonaventure. In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made in Toms Memory to UCLA Neuroncology Program, 710 Westwood Plaza #1230, Los Angeles, CA 90095.