Thomas Leszek Piatkowski
1951 - 2017
Thomas Leszek Piatkowski
1951 - 2017
Obituary
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Thomas Piatkowski Obituary
Oct. 18, 1951 - July 21, 2017
Pacific Grove
Tom Piatkowski, 65, of Pacific Grove, passed away unexpectedly Friday, July 21, 2017.
Tom Piatkowski was born to Leszek Piatkowski and Wanda Aron on October 28, 1951 in San Francisco, as the youngest of three boys. A consummate independent thinker who loved adventure and embraced new challenges, Tom spent three years with the U.S. Peace Corps as a Livestock Officer stationed in Antigua, West Indies, and later ran a palm tree plantation in the Amazon. He earned a BA degree in Biology from Case Western Reserve University and an MS degree in Animal Nutrition from The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Tom's laugh and humor were infectious and constant. Politically opinionated, Tom believed in equality and fairness for all. Most importantly, Tom treasured moments with his family; his favorite pastime and preoccupation was spending time with his beloved daughter, Laura.
Most recently, Tom was President/CEO of Western Applied Technologies, Inc. (d/b/a HealthySoil), an award-winning agricultural company headquartered in Gonzales. HealthySoil, which manufactures organic soil amendments, was the culmination of a Tom's lifelong experience in the agricultural and bioscience industries. Tom was passionate about delivering an environmentally friendly alternative to growers and consumers alike.
Tom loved Labrador Retrievers, sailing, biking, antique racing cars, and a good scotch.
He will be missed by his children: daughter, Laura Piatkowski and step-son, David Karp, both of Dallas, TX; brother, Zygmunt Slominski and sister-in-law, Carmen Slominski of Tampa, FL; sister-in-law, Wendy Piatkowski of Phoenix, AZ; mother, Wanda Aron, and step-father, Bob Aron of Tampa, FL; four nieces and nephews; seven great-nieces and great-nephews; and a host of devoted colleagues and friends.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Peter Piatkowski; his step-mother, Trudy Piatkowski, and his father, Leszek Piatkowski.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Tom's memory to the Monterey Bay Labrador Retriever Rescue (http://www.mbaylabrescue.org/donate/).
A Celebration of Tom's life will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2017, at the HealthySoil headquarters in Gonzales.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Jeffrey Clellen
July 18, 2019
Gosh, Its been two years since we lost you and Im still feeling the vacancy you left on my life. Great buddies from the 10th grade, I have innumerable memories of shenanigans and antics I shared with Tom that spanned most of a lifetime; in high school hitting Shakers Manners Big Boy on Friday night in Toms 1956 Ford Station wagon, partying at the Down Under when Tom was at Cleveland State Univ., concert crashing at KSU, sharing an apartment on Hessler Street in Cleveland and working together as professional commercial building painters in summer of 1973. Sharing an apartment in Columbus during the wild Spring of 1975. My wedding in Winston-Salem in August 1984. Toms visits to our home when work brought him to San Diego during the 90s. Finally, my several visits to Toms home in the Monterey Peninsula, most recently in November 2016.
Anyone who knew Tom recognized that he had a special way with women. He always was perusing a really cool lady. I was always envious of the latest object of his entanglements. I met many of these wonderful women over the years. Perhaps the most obvious facet of Toms personality (to me at least) was his generosity. He always gave more than he received in return. He loaned me money, clothes, his car for weeks at a time, his bedroom and even a girlfriend or two. How could I repay? Forget it dude, were just two buckaroos trying to get through life. Well Tom, its 2 years on and I still miss you terribly. But if anyone is in a safe place in the beyond, it is surely you, my toulou friend!
Loretta Lombardo
August 3, 2017
Tom's loss saddens me greatly. Among our PC colleagues he stands out. He once told me,"I work hard and I play hard." No kidding! Just being with him was like a party. I was always glad to see him because I knew that I'd have a lot of fun and an adventure or two. When it was time for him to go home, he'd shout at me,"The Divine Ms. L! You know who I serve!" from his motorcycle. I hung onto that title for years. I think I even had a T shirt with that title on it. I will always remember him with love and I believe he is flying south with the Monarch butterflies, free and joyful. I think this of loved ones who leave us; if they become part of the universe, they are in the rain that falls on us, in the flowers that grow and the butterflies who flutter among them. Farewell, Tom. May you live on, fresh, solid and free.
Loretta
Abe
July 31, 2017
My sincere condolences go to you and your family. May God comfort you in these difficult times (2 Cor. 1:3).
July 28, 2017
My condolences to the family of Thomas, devoted father, brother, son, extended relatives and friends, who will miss him terribly, I can only imagine that this unexpected loss has brought much pain and sorrow, please take comfort in each other at this most difficult time.
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Bob & Patsy Sexton
July 28, 2017
Our deepest sympathy to the whole family. We continue to pray that you all find comfort and peace in the Lord and in the wonderful memories you have of him.
Love,
Bob and Patsy
Maury Treleven
July 28, 2017
Tom was such an important part of the Gonzales community. He always said "yes" when asked to collaborate on projects and working groups aimed at problem solving and serving others. I adored him as a person and always looked forward to hearing his ideas. Most of all, he walked life on a path always aimed at being a good, kind, compassionate, and service oriented human being. I'm so sad he is gone. It was a life well lived Tom. You got the point. You were a great human being. Your legacy will live on in all of the lives you touched.
Alicia Sanoian
July 28, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. I use to work for Tom. His personality was always shining bright. Such a wonderful and great man.
July 27, 2017
We are sorry to learn of the passing of Thomas, but grateful for his service to our nation with the Peace Corps in the West Indies.
Our Condolences,
The National Peace Corps Association
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