Thomas Alfred Armstrong

Thomas "Tom" Alfred Armstrong, 90 of Brooksville, FL passed away peacefully at home with his daughter and son-in-law by his side.

Tom was born on July 9, 1935 in Niagara Falls, NY to Edger and Louise Armstrong. He lived there until he went off on his first of many adventures, to serve in the US Army. He was proud and honored to serve as a paratrooper in the 11th Airborne Division from November 15, 1956 until September 29, 1959 with 38 jumps. During his years of service, he worked as a telephone repairman. Tom loved to tell the story of the time when he was sent to the General's office to repair his phone and when he arrived the General said, "I requested the best and they send me a Private?" Tom's response was, "Sir, not only am I the best repairman, but I'm the only repairman." The General promoted him to Specialist (SP4). We know that Tom had Top Secret Security Clearance, but why he had it, we will never know. He took that secret to the grave.

When Tom returned home, he was grateful to discover he still had his job as a pressman at Moore Business Forms, where he had been employed when he left for the army. He would continue working at this adventure that he loved for 37 years 9 months and 14 days.

Along with returning home to his job, Tom found the greatest adventure of his whole life. Margaret Ann McArdle, 6 years his junior and the younger sister of his childhood friends, had grown into a lovely young lady while he was away. Tom showed her some interest, so she asked her older brother, also named Tom, what he thought of her marrying Tom Armstrong. His response, "If you want someone who will always take care of you, Tom's your man." She liked the sound of that, so she called him up and asked if he wanted to "get hitched". The two were married on April 23, 1960. Eleven months later, on March 5, 1961, they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Victoria Lynn. When Vicki was an infant, she became seriously ill with pneumonia and ended up being hospitalized. It was then, that Tom and Margaret decided they didn't want to "put all their eggs in one basket" and on March 28, 1963 they welcomed a bouncing baby boy, Russell James.

In 1965, Tom was offered the opportunity to be transferred within Moore Business Forms to Monroe, Wisconsin. When asked if he thought that was something he would like to do, Tom asked what in the world was in Monroe, WI. He was simply told ... beer and cheese. Tom's response, "sign me up!" He and Margaret lived there until he retired from Moore in 1993.

While in Monroe, Tom was very active in his community participating in groups such as the State Line Squares square dancing team, a Euchre Card Club, and he was a member of the Moose Lodge. Tom was also active in helping to start the Green County Emergency Medical Services where he served as an EMT.

After retirement, Tom and Margaret's next adventure would be selling their home in Monroe, and purchasing a pickup truck and a 5th wheel and traveling all over the United States. This adventure would take them 6 years as they traveled to see places like Mt Rushmore, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and driving down the Pacific Coast Highway or Highway 1, through California. They traveled to see the Redwoods, they went on an Alaskan cruise, they gambled on a Mississippi River boat. They drove up the East coast from Florida to Maine and then over to visit Tom's mom in Niagara Falls. This was the adventure of a lifetime!

At this time, Margaret really wanted to hang up the keys and settle near her oldest sister, Pat, in Florida. They found a place they both loved in the Brookridge Retirement Community in Brooksville, FL and got to work making that house a home. Brookridge is a gated golf community, and this adventure would allow Tom to continue his lifelong passion for the game of golf! Most weeks, during the 25 years he lived there, he would golf 5 days a week. For years, he even golfed in the high heat of Florida's summers to keep the company of some of the older residents and be sure they were safe. One of Tom's other passion projects while living at Brookridge, was collecting cans from the Club House. He would bring them to his home, clean them out, and he and his friend Al, would cash them in to raise money for different needs and wants around the community. He became well known as "The Can Man". Tom cared very much for his community and the people who live there.

Tom's greatest adventure in life was his family. He cared for each of them deeply. He is proceeded in death by his wife, Margaret, his son, Russell, his parents, Edgar and Louise, his brother, Jimmy, his sister, Mary, and his great-granddaughter, Allie Andres. He is survived by his daughter, Vicki (Daryl) Bennett, his daughter-in-law, Darla (Doug) Gregory, grandchildren, Melissa (Dan) Andres, Jason Bennett, Ian (Jerusha) Armstrong, and Maddalen Armstrong. Great Grandchildren, Ben (Kaitlyn) Andres, Lily Andres and Jennessa Powers. Tom was also blessed with many in-laws, nieces and nephews.

If you would like to send a card to the family, they can be sent to 13754 NE Winslow Rd, Winslow, IL 61089

Tom was one of the nicest guys you've ever met...and if you didn't know, all you had to do was ask him ;)