Condolences to Tom's family and all of the great people that helped him be who he was. As with many others whose lives Tom touched, he left a remarkable impression on me. Though I knew him only briefly, his hard work, optimism and even his demanding nature were gifts which he gave to me. Imagine an Albertan with an Australian accent telling you matter of factly how getting his teeth knocked out on the ice was a good thing because the x-ray helped him find out what he was up against.

He had to "re-evaluate on the fly" (another skill that he showed me) and decided to be proactive and positive. I met him when he decided to fundraise for the Canadian Cancer Society and his strength, courage and high expectations were immediately evident. In his fundraising plans when Tom used the expression "somewhat less than ideal" you would feel as if you were letting down the side. His expectations were high and he would strive for what he felt was possible. The same skills and dogged determination that served him well in sports and business I think served him well in his fight and really should be a lesson to us all in our own lives. He learned it somewhere and taught it everywhere.

Here's to the Tuckers.