Thomas HALSTEAD

HALSTEAD, Thomas
The family is grieved to announce that Thomas Gresham Halstead, aged 89 years, passed away at the Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre, Edmonton, on Sunday February 16, 2014.
Left to cherish many happy and fond memories are Tom's loving wife and life-mate, Shirley; three children, George, Bonnie (Barry), Tim (Sherry); and stepdaughter, Cheryl (Ken). He is also lovingly remembered by a half-brother, Bert (Mabel); seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Tom is survived by numerous nephews and nieces; with exception of a brother-in-law, Allan, he is predeceased by four sisters and their spouses.
Tom is the only son of George and Etta Halstead. After the tragic death of his father, Tom, from the age of 4, grew up in the care of grandparents in Nokomis, SK. Possessing a great passion for flying, he earned his pilot wings in the R.C.A.F and served flying the B26 Marauder in Transport Command during 1943 - 45.
After the war, Warrant Officer Halstead then enrolled at the College of Engineering, University of Saskatchewan. For the next eight years, Tom applied his education as an Engineering Technician with the Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration. For the following five years he served with the Saskatoon City Police Department.
But it was in 1959 that Tom began a career in the 2nd great passion of his life, education for young persons, primarily in the field of driver education. Tom fulfilled many key roles in the development of youth driver education and eventually he assumed the role of Senior Driver Instructor with the Saskatoon Board of Education. In the two decades that followed, Tom trained hundreds of high-school students, with a keen personal interest in the development of each student.
In 1980, Tom and Shirley moved to British Columbia to complete Shirley's career and Tom finished working life in the Corps of Commissionaires, where he was responsible for the security of the Surrey Taxation Centre until his final retirement in 1986. Tom and Shirley spent their retirement years in Creston, BC, and Edmonton, AB, where several deep friendships were formed.
Tom dedicated his life to his wife and family first, his many friends over the years and to the community. His compassion for others was an outstanding characteristic that was clear to all. Tom's caring and loving nature, combined with his great intelligence, set a wonderful example for his children and had a positive impact on everyone who knew him. He could always be counted upon under all circumstance.
Our family extends a heartfelt thanks to the staff members of both the Grey Nuns Hospital and the Good Samaritan Southgate Care Centre. Their loving care and dedication were clearly evident at all times and greatly helped us all through the final five months of Tom's hospitalization.
Tom's wishes were that the family hold a private service with interment taking place at Tom's father's burial site in Nokomis, Saskatchewan.
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