Edward Tom

Edward J. Tom

Edward J. Tom, 88 years, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on the afternoon of September 5th, 2014. By his side was Ann, his dedicated wife of 51 years, who lovingly cared for him during his decline in health. He leaves behind two children: daughter, Catherine Denise Tom and James William Tom (Jenny), and 2 precious grandsons, Jacob Takuma Tom and Cameron Takeshi Tom. He is survived by his brother in Ottawa, Canada, K. Tam and his family: a son, Chung Ming Tam, and two daughters, Ngan Ling Tam (David Bowie) and family, and Yin Ling Tam (Chi Fei Shek) and family, and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces, and great-grand nephews and nieces.

Born May 25th, 1926 in Hoy Ping, Guangdong province in China, Ed immigrated to the United States under the care of his brothers. The fourth brother of five, he attended school in San Francisco's Polytechnic High and then worked various jobs in the mechanical trades. Eventually, Ed Tom followed his entrepreneurial spirit and opened, owned, and operated an automotive repair garage. For more than 45 years, Valencia Auto Service on 1945 Hyde Street remained a reliable fixture in San Francisco's Russian Hill district where Ed and his two partners serviced the vehicles of many of the City's law enforcement officers, taxicab companies, and construction trades. Valencia Auto Service was also a valuable service for the City's Chinese community. Ed himself was extremely active in the Tom Family Benevolent Association and served in many positions as an officer and elder.

Edward J. Tom's family gratefully acknowledges the dedicated care provided by his doctors and nurses of CPMC and UCSF, UC Home Health Care, Hospice by the Bay, and the loving aid of family, friends, and neighbors.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, September 20th, at 1:00 o'clock in the afternoon at Cypress Lawn Funeral Home, 1370 El Camino Real in Colma, California. Committal Cypress Lawn Cemetery. Friends, family, and acquaintances are cordially invited to celebrate his memory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Edward J. Tom's memory to the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, or a charity of your own choosing.