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Daniel posted a condolence
Friday, October 13, 2023
I remember Grandpa always sitting in the chair in the corner with a book and a mug of tea. He would always make clever jokes and tell good stories. I enjoyed my last visit with him in Saskatoon, especially sharing some of my cooking, and only wish I could have seen him more in recent years.
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Bernice Friesen uploaded photo(s)
Thursday, October 12, 2023
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Bernice Friesen posted a condolence
Monday, October 9, 2023
Sending much love and sympathy to the family of Tom Bowman. When I was a young university student away from home for the first time, he and Pat tolerated my near constant presence and bad influence on his daughters. Later, he gave me a boost in the commercial writing business, and then became an extra grandfather to my children--sharing his model trains with my son. We will miss him. Bernice Friesen, and family
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Donna Bowman posted a condolence
Sunday, October 8, 2023
The celebration of life for Tom Bowman is today, October 8th, from 2:00-5:00, at the house.
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Judy George posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
What I remember most about Tom is his patience behind the lens of his trusty camera - holding it steady while waiting for just the right moment to snap a photo. Mother’s and my albums’ best shots were taken by Tom’s skillled eyes and hands - especially the candid portraits. And, then, his wit and sense of humor that always came out when least expected!
I hadn’t thought of this for a long time since my 3 sons have all been grown and flown for many years now, but that he and Pat would agree to finish rearing them in the event of my untimely death also shows his great generosity of heart and spirit. In 1981, Pat, Tom and the girls “adopted” Mark, who was still too young for camps for several weeks when I had to return to work after a long trip (automobile) with Mother and Daddy to Saskatoon for a visit. They even took him along to Lake of the Woods where he got to enjoy a wonderful vacation with the entire Bowman family and celebrate his 8th birthday.
As others have described him, Tom really was a (mostly) quiet, always kind, gentle and loving man with a very generous heart that will certainly go on beating in the hearts of all who loved him best (as JoAnn said so well in her tribute).
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Larry J Elliot posted a condolence
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Professor Bowman taught me English 102 at the U of S in 1967-68. Imagine King Lear, one of Shakespeare's most complex plays, being 'force fed' by him to a group of savage Engineering students - he was brilliant. A great memory of him was one Frday afternoon in early spring 1968, just before final exams, he walked into our class and said " the sun is brilliant today so let's not have a class." Not one of us (students) protested.
In reading some of the comments here,it is apparent he was not only a good man but a great educator. Deepest Condolences.
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Jan Hagon lit a candle
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
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Tom was a wonderful brother-in-law and from early on I always appreciated his sense of humor. I baby sat Donna & Kathleen for a summer when I was 15 (I think) and got to know Tom a lot better that summer. He got me hooked on Sci-Fi novels that summer as well as teaching me to appreciate Herbie Mann and a few other jazz artists. I used to try and run from his camera but he always had a knack for catching me (and other people) when least expected. In this way, he was a great portrait photographer and most of the best family photos we have were taken by Tom. He was a great father to his two daughters and a wonderful husband to my big sister and I'm sure they will miss him dearly. I didn't get to see Tom much in recent years, but I'll always remember his kindness and his wonderful sense of humor.
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Donna Bowman lit a candle
Monday, September 18, 2023
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Dad also had a lively curiosity about all sorts of things, and was widely-read. Some of the subjects he read about include history, religion, science and classics. Most recently, he read quite a bit about evolution, and the evolution of intelligence. Anna recommended a book she had read for her studies about the evolution of intelligence in octopuses, and Dad and I both read it, and discussed it with her and each other. He also loved reading essays by authors such as E.B. White, and fiction of all sorts, including mysteries and science fiction. He got me started in reading science fiction, and I read some of his books in that area in my early teens, though some of them were rather over my head. He also read to us as children, both when we weren't old enough to read yet, and when we were. Winnie the Pooh and E.B. White's two children's books, Charlotte's Web and The Trumpet of the Swan, were favourites of us both.
He was always able to poke fun at himself, and I remember very fondly him telling me of the adventures of Round Man and the Crows, in which he battled crows in the back yard. After awhile, he gave up the battle, and just watched the crows raise their young and the evidence of their pronounced intelligence. Another example of his self-deprecating humour was his tool chest, which was labelled Tom Bowman, Mechanical Fumbler.
Thank you, Dad, for all you did for us. I love you very much, and will always remember you, and watching TV with you as children, all three of us lying on our bellies on the living room floor.
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John Sadler posted a condolence
Monday, September 18, 2023
We are so very sorry to hear of Tom's passing. John is grateful for over 50 years of friendship, starting all the way back at the U of S, and has many fond memories of visits with the family and shared interests in photography and model railroading. Phil and Gill remember Tom's warmth and patience, and the way he encouraged our curiosity as kids. We send our deepest condolences to Pat, Donna, Kathleen and family - you are in our thoughts. From the Sadlers.
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Anna Redly posted a condolence
Monday, September 18, 2023
Grandpa was a kind and soft-spoken man, with a sharp wit and a good sense of humour. When I was little, I remember thinking that he was the picture-perfect grandpa, because of his white beard and large glasses. He would tell stories in a low rambling voice and make me feel safe. He used to let me sit on his back while he walked around on all fours when I was very little, which entertained me to no end but I’m sure was rather uncomfortable for him.
As I got older, I came to appreciate his intelligence and kindness. I feel so grateful that I got to visit in April for his 83rd birthday and celebrate with the family. I know that my seemingly endless questions may have tired Grandpa out at times, but I appreciate the conversations we were able to have and cherish the memories that he and Grandma shared about their childhoods and the early days of their relationship.
I love you a lot, Grandpa, and think of you often. Thank you for your love and kindness.
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Robyn Froese uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, September 17, 2023
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Tom on the PEI Ferry, 2005. You were a great father-in-law. I will miss you!
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Donna Bowman posted a condolence
Sunday, September 17, 2023
The family would prefer that, instead of flowers, charitable donations in memory of Tom be made to Parkinson’s Canada, Doctors Without Borders, Salvation Army or charity of choice. Planting a tree in his name would also be much appreciated.
Thanks.
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John Bowman uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, September 17, 2023
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Tom was a wonderful older brother and companion; his passing leaves a large void. Although separated by more than 2,000 miles the last 50-plus years, we remained close, and our wives and families enjoyed times together.
Growing up, we were nearly constant companions. We shared a bedroom and jointly performed assigned tasks (when it came to dishwashing, he preferred washing — drying included putting away — a role assured by his “I’m older” trump card). Being close could be messy. In the early 1950s, we jointly painted the backyard picket fence; to enable visiting, we worked opposite each other and, as Mom later recalled, splashed paint on each other (oil base, of course). We delivered papers to half of our Ohio town by bicycle (Dad took us by car for the larger Sunday editions), each taking part of the route for efficiency; other times, we enjoyed riding our bikes together over larger areas. Both music lovers, school band practices and performances were shared experiences, and we enjoyed records on the hi-fi set Tom bought in high school.
Among other joint interests were photography and model railroading. Somewhere, there exist photos of Tom, camera to eye, snapped as he took a similar picture of me. Photos of us as adults often show each of us with a camera. In 1990, while visiting in Toledo, Tom, Dad, and I went to the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum in Indiana, indulging a mutual interest in classic cars; on that day, we both took pictures of cars, and Tom got a nice photo of Dad eating an ice cream cone. From grade school until we were adults, Tom and I jointly owned model trains, eventually moving from American Flyer to the greater realism of HO models. Tom stayed with this hobby many years longer, including his Saskatoon years.
I miss Tom, and wish there had been more time with him, but I am grateful for the many precious, happy memories of him.
I took the above photos of Tom & Pat when Ruth Ann & I were with them during their US visits in 2005 (on bench at Hershey Gardens) & 2012 (on campus of Wilson College, Pat's alma mater); all four of us carried cameras.
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Bob Goettler posted a condolence
Sunday, September 17, 2023
Tom and I worked together for many years, both at Federated Co-op and The Marketing Den. He and Brooke Bannister were the dynamic duo. He was a very good copywriter and meticulous proof reader. He was always kind and patient, especially with me. Wishing the family comfort in this difficult time. Bob Goettler (I am sure he would rewrite this and hand it back to me with that smile)
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The Swan family purchased flowers
Saturday, September 16, 2023
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Dear Mrs. Bowman, Donna, Kathleen, and all of the family. Please accept our sincere condolences. With much love,
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Jo-Ann Sutherland lit a candle
Saturday, September 16, 2023
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Dear Pat and family
A good heart has stopped beating, but a heart that has touched so many lives can't help but live on in those it loved. Those we love don't go away; they walk beside us in our hearts and memories.
With our deepest heartfelt sympathies
Jo-Ann and Barry Sutherland
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Kathleen Redly posted a condolence
Saturday, September 16, 2023
Dad was a wonderful father. He was always there for me when I needed him. He was a great listener and very patient and supportive, especially when I needed to make important life decisions. He was the perfect person to take me practice driving, as he managed to speak calmly when I got too close to the parked cars, though I've no doubt he and his knuckles must have been turning white. When I was little, and in a pouty, feel sorry for myself mood, he could get me smiling again, despite myself, by saying something like " Better watch out, you might trip over your lower lip", or "Don't smile, your face might crack!". He rescued me from terrifying spiders, took me for medical treatment when I was bitten by a mouse, when I stepped on a nail, when I had bike accidents, made me bouillon and took care of me when I had mumps.
I loved his sense of humour. I will really miss how he used to suddenly laugh aloud and then read us funny exerpts from whatever he was reading at the time. Dad's informal satirical essays, written by "Provo King" were hilarious. I also remember, that he wrote a very funny piece about his encounters with bears, as he was, truth be told, a self-professed "bear magnet".
Dad was a very generous person. One year he won some money in the Lottery and shared his winnings by paying for plane tickets for Donna and me to go to England so we could spend some time there with my best friend and her family and do some sightseeing. That was a wonderful opportunity he gave us, as we'd never been overseas before. He was always generous with charities too.
Dad was a true Canadian, polite and kind, except, of course, if he was extremely riled up. He was an avid and skilled photographer, which Donna has already mentioned. Thank you Dad for the camera equipment you gave me over the years. He was a music lover. To this day some of my favourite music is what I grew up hearing at home: Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald, dixieland jazz, Arlo Guthrie and Pete Seger, among others. Dad loved trains too, but perhaps Jim Scott can speak more about that.
I am so grateful I got to help Dad celebrate his 83rd birthday with Mom, Anna and Donna. Did I forget to mention that Dad also loved sweets? He truly enjoyed the chocolate birthday cake with caramel icing that Anna made for his birthday. It was a very special day for us all. Thanks for all that you have given me over the years, Dad! I love you.
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Donna Bowman uploaded photo(s)
Friday, September 15, 2023
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Donna Bowman uploaded photo(s)
Friday, September 15, 2023
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One thing we forgot to mention in the obituary is how much Dad loved taking photos, and how good he was at it. He was particularly good at "people pictures," as we put it. He took some very good ones of family and friends through the years. He only stopped taking photos when his hands began to shake too much to keep a photo in focus. He gave me my film camera for my graduation with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, and later gave my sister, Kathleen, her digital SLR when he could no longer use it. The tremors in his hands turned out to be from Parkinson's, but we only learned that two years ago. Dad, I will miss you forever.
Donna Bowman
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The family of Tom Bowman uploaded a photo
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
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