Thomas Milton Staples

STAPLES, Thomas Milton 1927-2011 Tom passed away on Sunday August 7th, at the age of 84 from complications due to dementia. He was born in Winnipeg the 4th of 5 children where he grew up playing hockey, the game he loved, on frozen prairie ponds. The family came out to Vancouver when Dad was in this early teens. He graduated from high school and initially made his way playing pool and cards until he met lovely, tall, tanned Nancy. "He's the only one that made my knees knock..." she said. They eloped and spent one night in the Bowen Island Hotel followed by a romantic week in a cabin that required a row boat to get to. They kept their marriage a secret for one year (even from best pal Merv) until Dad had a "job" and the mood was friendlier with the in-laws. They bought the furniture for their first apartment with his card winnings. It was not long before a promising opportunity lead to some real gambling: entrepreneurship. Together with partner Ken they started BC Tube Supply which later became TubeCo dealing in specialized steel tubing, a good example of which is the green foot bridge across the Lion's Gate causeway in Stanley Park. They worked hard and smart to make their business a success, growing it to 5 offices across Canada. During this time Tom and Nancy stretched Lady Luck once again when they bought a piece of property in the then undeveloped Whytecliff area and a decade later built a modern post and beam house facing up Howe Sound. Son Tom Jr. and daughter Kathy followed along in due course. There was lots of golf played and swimming, skiing, fishing, cards, gin and tonics and laughs. He supported the Boys and Girls Club and minor hockey. He was a deliberate and analytical thinker and could slay any antagonist with one witty line; however, he will be remembered best for his warm and amiable disposition. They lived happily in the glass house until Mom died in 2004. Some of Dad died, then, too. His cognition declined and a move into an apartment with 24 hour care became necessary. The gambler's luck held when Flor arrived to be his caregiver and constant companion. After several years his condition took a turn for the worse and more care was required so his last year was spent in Evergreen House at the table near the window. He still tapped his toes when there was music. Tom will be remembered on Tuesday September 20, 2011. Please contact the family for information or send a message to thomasmiltonstaples@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Vancouver.