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Peter Tolman Obituary
In the early morning hours of November 13, 2010, Peter lost his year long [plus two days] battle with lung cancer, with his daughter by his side. He passed as stoically as he lived his life, with ease and grace and has begun his new journey into the eternal life.
Born in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, Peter moved to California in 1974. Most of his career was as an insurance agent/broker. He retired to Santa Cruz in 2005 to be closer to his daughter Janette and her family. He earned an all-star basketball scholarship to New Hampshire State. He served in the Air Force, stationed in both Berlin and the Aleutian Islands where he worked as a special intelligence officer and achieved the honor of Staff Sergeant during his four years of service; one of many ranks and achievements he accomplished during his service time. He also played basketball on the USAF team where he was Center Forward and helped the team to numerous victories.
"Pete" was very much loved by all who knew him. He was a step above a true gentleman's gentlemen. He had a great love for the outdoors and all sports, a forever 49er fan to the very end. For over 25 years, his vacations were spent in Yosemite National Park with his family. Several times throughout the years, he would head back to Yosemite to camp and fish with "his" boys.
He is survived by his brother Chuck of New York, his ex-wife and good friend, Beth of Manteca, his sons Chip of Oakley and Eric of Manteca, daughter Melanie of Manteca and Janette of Scotts Valley, their spouses and 10 grandchildren. He had a great love for all of them. He also had great friendships that he cherished from childhood and those that he had during his residence at Garfield Park Village in Santa Cruz.
A special thank you to his daughter Janette, who put every bit of her love and caring in her home for her father. Without her very special care, her father would have definitely passed much sooner. A special thank you also to his amazing team of caregivers from Hospice of Santa Cruz Caroline, Virginia, Lydia, Soledad and many others and Veronica, who gave all she could to bring love and care to Pete and comfort to his family.
Pete/Dad, we miss you so much and know that you are now happy and healthy with your deceased loved-ones, and as Beth said many times, "you will be dancing with you mother again". We will remember you in everyday's passing and look forward to the day we meet again.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in Peter's honor to the care giving team at Hospice of Santa Cruz at 940 Disc Drive in Scotts Valley, Ca. 95066 831430-3000.
A private memorial to be announced at a later time.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Peter Tolman
November 15, 2024
Give the ball to Pete.
Bob Herr
November 16, 2023
Give the ball to Pete!!!!!!
Melanie
August 22, 2022
Happy birthday dad, I miss and love you everyday!!
Janette
November 15, 2021
I´m still here, and you´re still there, but I can definitely feel your presence around our home and redwoods..sending up my love to
You Dad I think I´m going to be making some crab tonite..we´ll save a seat for you :)
Janette
November 15, 2020
Dad, I cannot believe it’s been ten years since I’ve seen your face and heard your deep voice exclaim, “hey girl, got any coffee?” ;). I miss that, miss you.
I’m going out to the forest again today and if you’d like to surprise me
With your wind gust or a gentle leaf rustling, I’d be very happy about that❤❤
Janette
Peter B Tolman II
June 20, 2020
Fathers Day is around the corner. I can't help but think of you dad. It's been 10 years. I miss you so very much. I golf a lot, and I so wish you were there with me. I bowled a 300 couple years ago. It would have been great to have you there. You loved sports, of all kinds. You are always there on my mind when I play or watch any sport, as like I always wanted to be there when played all your sports when I was a little boy. You were bigger than life to me and I love and miss you more than I can say or write. Happy Father's Day Dad.
Janette
October 12, 2012
Much love :)
August 23, 2012
Happy Birthday, Buddy. Bob & Shirley
Melanie Tolman
August 22, 2012
Happy Birthday dad...I sure do miss you
Janette
March 14, 2012
Rain is finally here. The redwoods and creeks are alive with bugs, chirping excited birds, frogs saying a hello from a distant grass patch. The trees are glistening with diamonds and the wood smoke from the chimneys are filling the air around Karl's Dell with lovely aromas. Again, I think of you Dad. I can picture you with your 49er baseball cap on and a smile on your face as you stand there in the rain....did I see you the other day? Maybe. I can see you leaping like the grey wolf, a messenger of secret watch on the horizon. I love you dearly and miss you deeply all the time. We are doing well. It is still very foreign to think you are not a phone call or a 10 minute ride away....even though you are closer and just a thought away, it still isn't enough. xo from your girl.
December 20, 2011
Hi Dad, Just thinking of you tonite. You are still and always with me and in my thoughts. It is winter for sure, and we are getting frost on the grass and the leaves have left the trees. I wish you were here, especially tonite. Just seems like a perfect night for your to be here next to the fire; watching the christmas lights twinkle on the Christmas tree...I can just see you driving up our street with your baseball cap on and your big smile on your face...xoxoxoxoxo Goodnight~Janette
September 12, 2011
Hi Dad...we had your memorial service up in Yoesmite. It all went down just like you had asked for. Your remains were placed in the Merced River, just actually at the bridge leading to the trail of the swinging bridge. It was beautiful and all the family was there (I know you were probably right there with a cup of coffee watching the whole time). Time is moving on Dad, I think of you often and miss you everyday. Life gets crazy and confusing and sometimes I just wish you were there to talk to. Football has started....the fall season is creeping upon us and it reminds me so much of you. I love you. Janette
September 9, 2011
Pete.....I was at Janettes new house today, a house and property you would really love, and the kids and I were discussing what you are now doing up there, and Joe said he could just see you catching the biggest fish...Hopefully, you could hear him, and see his very happy face at just the prospect of you fishing...We all miss you very much....
Janette
February 21, 2011
Love you, miss you. Really miss you dad.
Janette
December 1, 2010
Dad, I drove over the hill to drop off for my art show this weekend. I think of you often when I am working...last year you accompanied me to this show and as you always did, helped out both in company, muscles and tapping your fingers to the beat of the good music that played...love you! Good night :)
Faz Hopkins
November 30, 2010
Thank you Pete for always treating me like part of the family..you will be missed so much. May You Rest in Peace.
Love,
Faz Hopkins
Janette Brennan
November 25, 2010
Tonite we gave thanks for many, many things in our lives. Joe gave thanks with the "talking stick" that he was thankful that you are no longer uncomfortable..even though he really didn't want you to go, he knew he couldn't make you stay...we miss you and love you dad. Jan
Dad and Melanie in 2008 at our home in Scotts Valley for Thanksgiving....xoxo
janette brennan
November 22, 2010
November 22, 2010
...And should you glimpse my wandering form out on the borderline
Between death and resurrection and the council of the pines
Do not worry for my comfort, do not sorrow for me so
All your diamond tears will rise up and adorn the sky beside me when I go...
having a hard time not having you around dad. Kisses and hugs to you tonite. -Janette
Kim Underwood Smith
November 22, 2010
Thanks for being such a nice guy to the kids on seventh street . I am sure you are a wonderful neighbor in Heaven too .
Adriana Tolman
November 22, 2010
Coffee just is not the same without you. You are missed so much.
Love,
Adriana
Rauly Duenas
November 22, 2010
Just found out.I grew up with Peter's children. My sincere condolences.
November 22, 2010
give the ball to Pete. I love you my brother.
Bob Herr; alexandria, Va
Mary Hayes
November 22, 2010
In loving memory of a light gone out too soon. Feeling fortunate to have known Peter. Sending love and condolences.
November 22, 2010
I will always remember your favorite teams whenever they play...Celtics, N.Y Giants, S.F. 49ers, and root for them.. Your dry sense of humor..Your being a complete gentleman since I met you way back when.. being such a good sport.. and what a trooper you were all through your illness... And most of all, I will miss not being able to call you, and hear you answer "Hey girl"... Until then, we down here will keep passing the time till we each meet one another down the road.... ..............Beth...............
Pat Posthuma
November 22, 2010
Rejoice in all the wonderful memories that you have of Pete. He will always be your hearts and those of us who knew him.
Sal Agredano
November 21, 2010
We are sorry for your loss and our prayers go out to the entire Tolman Family.
Sal, Maritza, & Isabella Agredano
Peter Tolman II
November 21, 2010
Thank you Dad for being my childhood sports hero and a good man. I will always remember enjoying all the times I watched you play basketball at the park and during your league play. I was always in the outfield behind the fences waiting for those home runs you use to hit, and you hit a lot of them. My first root beer float was with you at an A&W right after one of my soccer games, and it still today is the best root beer float I have ever had. I was so proud of you when you saved that woman from drowning at the beach when I was a little guy. You were such a great swimmer. I never knew a guy who could throw a 16 lb bowling ball as hard and fast as you did. I thought as a child you were going to break those pins every time. I caught my first fish with you at Del Valle in Livermore. That was a fun day. I think I watched every football (SF 49ers of course) and basketball game (Boston Celtics, again, of course) with you. You and mom took me and Eric on our Birthday to San Francisco where we watched Star Wars together. I sat right next to you. The last film I saw with you at the theater was with you and Eric where we watched The Hunt for Red October. That was a fun evening. When Eric and I were older we use to play ping pong for hours at a time with you in the garage, and it was a blast. Fishing with you, Eric, Brian, and Paul were good times. We had the perfect spot and it was beautiful. I have a lot of wonderful memories of you dad, and I will always keep them close to my heart. Thank you so much for being my dad. You're the best dad in the world to me. I love you and miss you so much.
janette brennan
November 21, 2010
For your wonderful spirit dad. In memory of you today and always. xo Jan
Janette Brennan
November 21, 2010
I miss you dad...always thinking of you and remembering the beautiful times :)...forever in my heart.
-Jan
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