Thomas Wade Jr.

Thomas A. Wade Jr. VIRGINIA BEACH - Thomas "Tommy" Albert Wade Jr., 84, peacefully went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009, while at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born Oct. 11, 1925, in Rockbridge Baths, Va., one of 13 children to the late Thomas A. and Mary Love Bolen Wade. Tommy is survived by his wife of 62 years, Nora Lee Wade of Virginia Beach; their five children, Carolyn Bennett of Virginia Beach, William Wayne Wade and his wife, Penny of Virginia Beach, Deborah Mansfield and her husband Les of Cumberland, Va., Thomas Allen "Tucker" Wade (deceased) and Lisa Lee Wade and partner Diana Glower of Arizona. Tommy is survived by five grandchildren and five great- grandchildren, Mary and Garrett Houser of Norfolk their three children, Nathan, Connor and Abigail, Katie and Marshall Wilson of Port Orchard, Wash., Ashley Wade and fiancé Jason Moody of Elizabeth City, N.C. and Colton Wade of Virginia Beach. He is also survived by two sisters, Peggy Hayes of Buena Vista, Va., and Rebecca Figgatt of Lexington, Va.; numerous nieces and nephews. Tommy was a World War II veteran from 1943, serving his country in the Navy during the Pacific Invasion. He was also a 50-year plus Masonic Lodge member that afforded him the honor of being Past Master of two Masonic Lodges: Atlantic Lodge No. 2 and Victory Daylight. Tommy was a Master Mason who owned and operated his own company "Wade Masonry" for 20-plus years in the Tidewater area. His legacies of craftsmanship are timeless, some of these include: VPI, VMI, Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Norfolk City Jail (old and new), Granby Street Masonic Temple, MacArthur Center, Wilder Building, and the Downtown Norfolk Fire Station No. 1. His skilled workmanship can also be seen throughout many cities in the state of Virginia on municipal buildings, public schools, public utility buildings, churches, hotels and custom homes. Tommy was an active Boy Scout Leader and enjoyed coaching and sponsoring Azalea Little League. He had a passion for life and often expressed the importance of "love of family and friends." He is gone from our sight but will always be present in our hearts and memories. We would like to extend a "special blessing of love" to some extraordinary neighbors, Betty Hays, the Jay Hayes family, the Witcher family, the Riggs family, the Jennings family, the Herndon family, and the Lawson family, that have deeply touched our hearts and lives. A funeral will be held at Smith & Williams Funeral Home, Kempsville Chapel, 4889 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach, (757) 490- 2727 Wednesday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. with visitation from 6 to 7 p.m. Burial will be at McElwee Chapel Cemetery, McElwee Road, Rockbridge Baths, Va., on Saturday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. with visitation from 1 to 2 p.m. Both services will be officiated by Dr. Paul Lawson. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tommy's name may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Diabetes Association. You may offer condolences to the family at www.mem.com.