Tommy and I met, at age 15, in the summer of 1963, at a local beach where he was the only lifeguard. My friends and I hung around his lifeguard stand, and later learned that we were part of a group of girls known in his crowd as the "beach barnacles"! My parents wouldn't allow me date yet, but they let me go to the school dances with him if we went with another couple. He was tall, handsome and a great dancer. I was in love, but at summer's end, we parted ways with a tearful and what we thought to be a final goodbye. Tommy and I lived in neighboring cities, but when the new school year began for each of us, life moved on to other relationships and experiences. After graduating, we each eventually married others, but following my divorce and him losing his wife to cancer, we met again after 32 years. Our first date turned out to be the beginning of a fairytale romance that our friends and families watched with total delight and joy. We married a year later and started our life together with a strong foundation of love, and many hopes and dreams. He was a successful real estate developer and business owner, and I owned my own events management company. Together we were a dynamic team...partners, lovers, dreamers, creators. He developed vacation homes at the very same beach where we originally met, while I designed and decorated them all. Our faith, family and friends fed us with all the love we could ever wish for in our lifetime. To know Tommy was to love him... Tommy leaves behind a legacy of fond and loving memories for all who were blessed to be part of his life. He was known for his generous, loving heart. His staff and business associates would say that he was always respectful, a good listener, understanding and an inspiration to all....lifting up all levels to their utmost potential. He was a great leader, mentor and motivator. He was charismatic, gracious, compassionate, polished and always had a big smile for everyone. He was competitive and enjoyed playing tennis, golf and a long night of Texas Holdem'. Friends mourn his absence in their lives so much and feel the pain of loss every day, just as I am. I just have to believe that his beautiful spirit lives within my heart and soul, because, as he always wrote in every greeting card he gave me, "We are one, always and forever!

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