Thomas J. Gardner

GARDNER Thomas J. Gardner, a New Orleans native, passed away at home in Tampa, Florida on March 24, 2007 with his beloved wife of 41 years, Sandy (Sandra Forman), by his side. Born June 22, 1943, Tom spent his life in New Orleans until 2006, when he and Sandy relocated to Tampa to live closer to their son Michael Gardner, his wife Kathryn, and Sandy's mother, Nat Forman, who moved to Tampa after Hurricane Katrina. Family was the key to Tom's life. Daughter Alyson Robichaux, her husband Alvin, and their three children, Matthew, Nicholas and Elizabeth, also moved to Tampa, completing the relocation of Tom's family. Tom was a loving husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, and son-in-love who will be sorely missed by his family and those whom he befriended along life's way. Tom was a proud life-time New Orleans Saints season ticket-holder, an avid fisherman, and a Civil War buff who enjoyed re-enactments. His working life was spent in the shipping industry, most recently as a District Manager for the NYK Steamship Company prior to retirement. Tom served his country in the Marine Corps Reserve and spent twenty years as a Jefferson Parish Reserve Sheriff's Deputy. He was a Master in the Masonic Lodge and a member of St. Phillips Episcopal Church in New Orleans. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, A. R. and Anna Gardner, also of New Orleans; his brothers, Daniel (wife Constance, also deceased) and Charles (widow Carolyn). Besides his immediate family, Tom is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the Marine Corps Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 3008, Princeton, NJ 08543-3008. Sylvan Abbey Memorial Park and Funeral Home Clearwater, FL www.SylvanAbbeyMPFH.com (727)796-1992