Thomas Tanguay

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"If it's free and made of paper, take two". Some families have their mottos. That was ours. My father, Thomas H Tanguay, sold paper for a living after a stint of film direction and serving in the US Army. It seems rather fitting that he was more at home behind the scenes that in front of the camera as he was, throughout his long life, a very supportive person. Whether you're starting up your tree service ; refurnishing your restaurant ; buying your first car (or house), he had your back. When he saw you trying he wanted you to succeed – still does – and was willing to do whatever he could to help you do just that.
A tinkerer's tinkerer, he had such a mechanical ingenuity to recognize utility in what many would discard and could assemble seemingly random components into a functional tool and use it for years. He passed this creative talent to his youngest son, Michael, who wields it with confidence and ease and brings a smile to my face when I see it in use.
Over the course of my life I've witnessed my parents host many inclusive soirees from neighborhood Halloween parties with a ghoulish backyard cemetery and an expertly decorated tunnel of terror complete with a thunder simulator made from an aluminum sheet and a pulley (told you he was mechanically inclined) ; to office events at the house – I remember fondly my nine-year old self running the craps table during a casino themed office party. My friends have touched base with me to reminisce about fishing with him and gathering at our house for poker night. I wasn't even there – that was my dad.
As with most dads, he imparted life lessons which resonate with me today on how to (and not to do) things. When I have to buckle down, focus and rely on myself to get it done, I think of him. Later in life he was also able to ask for help and be truly appreciative as it may just show up from unforeseen and unlikely sources. For there are people out there like my father (and mother) who are willing to put themselves out to lend a helping hand. When you need it for your business, for your life, seek them out. Or be one of them for someone else. That indeed can be a truly valuable lesson. Thank you, dad. Godspeed. Rest in peace.