Richard "Dick" Tam

TAM

Richard Page "Dick"



Richard Page Tam "Dick," passed away peacefully on August 25, 2015, at the Elizabeth Scott Community where he had been a resident for the last four years. He was 92 years young.

Richard was born on April 23, 1923, to Ruth and Tony Tam. He moved frequently around the Toledo area before graduating from the former Macomber High School. He was a corporal in the United State Marine Corps serving as a machinist for the Marine Aviation Separation Unit at Cherry Point, North Carolina. While serving his country he was awarded the Medal of Good Conduct. It was also during this time that he met his future wife of nearly 49 years, Dorothy Masega. She was a Navy WAVE and they met in Chicago while they were both on leave.

Upon discharge from the military, Richard and Dorothy settled in south Toledo and adopted three children, Nicolas John, Paul Thomas, and Tana Marie. Richard worked his entire career for the former Haughton/Schindler/Millar Elevator Corp. He took great pride in working for the same company for 50+ years and often told the story of being "the last one out the door." He had a strong work ethic that he passed down to his children. A handy man in the truest sense of the word, Richard loved to tinker in his basement, enjoyed working with his array of tools, and never called a repairman until it became necessary later in life.

Due to mobility issues, Richard moved to the Elizabeth Scott Community in 2011 after several falls and broken bones. He enjoyed joking with the nurses and staff and always had a hearty appetite.

Richard was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy "Dotty"; his brother and sister-in-law, Paul and Bonnie Tam, and his companion of 13 years, Loretta Eisenmann.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Nick (Cheryl), Paul (Tami), and Tana (Stu Benford); along with grandsons, Drew and Alex Misko and granddaughters, Corinne and Charlotte Tam. Also surviving are nieces, Brenda Crossen and April McCaskey.

Our family would like to thank the following people who were such a big part of our father's life these last four years: Dr. Paat and the staff of St. Luke's Hospital where our father was a frequent visitor from 2011 to 2014; the management and staff of Elizabeth Scott Community for your exemplary care and for making our father a part of your family; Hospice of Northwest Ohio for your care and compassion to make the last six months of his life more comfortable; Erwin Lorenz, his friend to the end whose Tuesday visits meant a lot to our dad and to us; and Rose Thomson, Amy Wexler, and Jackie Weaver who spent countless Sunday afternoons playing cards with our dad - he didn't win often, but enjoyed the company and conversation.

Visitation will be held at the Bersticker-Scott Funeral Home on Saturday, August 29 from 1:00 to 7:30 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:00. Interment will be private in Toledo Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of the following organizations: the Toledo Zoo's Zoo PAL program, c/o PO Box 140130, Toledo, Ohio, 43614-0130; the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, c/o Tana's Troopers, 1725 Ashfield Drive, Maumee, OH 43537; or Hospice of Northwest Ohio.

Dad - Our love for you is endless. We will miss you and think about you all the days of our lives. Once a daddy's girl, always a daddy's girl.