Obituary of Thomas Kenneth Bayer

Bayer,Thomas Kenneth [Tom Jr.] †œA sailor with a sense of adventure and with an eye for the horizon has sailed out of site†� peacefully at home in St. David†™s on April 21 in his 62nd year with Sandra and his loving family by his side after a prolonged illness. Loving husband to Sandra McPherson , cherished father of both Lynsey and Theresa. Beloved son of Tom and Ellen, brother to Larry [Debbie], son in law to Blanche McPherson, brother in law to Ron, Gary, Bruce, Debbie [Ron] Huizinga and to be missed forever by nephews Lawrence, Ryan, Gregory and nieces Kelsey, Jaqueline,Shelley, Aislyn and Heather. Tom recently operated his own business, Classic Copper and Sheet Metal and was a former member of Local 539. He left his mark of perfection on every job and was a very skilled coppersmith and sheetmetal worker for 40 years. Tom†™s passion was the great outdoors. He loved to sail and built a boat †œRayador†� that he was fortunate enough to spend three wondrous years in with Sandra. They cruised the Bahamas extensively during the mid eighties, having traversed the Erie Barge Canal on their way down, then returning up the St. Lawrence River on their way home. During these years, family and friends who helped build †œRayador†� joined them and †œspliced the main brace†� for a memorable sailing adventure. Many of Tom†™s friends have been so inspired by his passion for sailing that they have since purchased their own boat. Tom loved the many deer hunting adventures up at †œArt†™s†� through the years with his father, who fortunately introduced him at a very young age to the pleasures of the woods and streams with the greatest appreciation for the fish and wildlife within them. Tom also enjoyed paddling the ponds and rivers of Haliburton and the marsh at Lindsay, jump shooting with his brother in the canoe his father built for him. He truly loved his moose hunting, returning in the summer with Sandra and †œthe girls†� many times to enjoy some great fishing and memories by the fire in the woods that shall not be forgotten. He also anticipated the annual trek to Pelee Island for the pheasant hunt with Larry and their many mutual hunting friends, not to mention their many walks down the river†™s of Michigan and Ontario where that elusive †œbig one†� never got away from Tom. Tom†™s many visits to his uncles, aunts and cousins in Saskatchewan were always an inspiration for him. The family greatly appreciates the care, attention and comfort that Dr. Hartman, nurses Nancy, Celia, Vivian and the crew at St. Elizabeth and the C.C.A.C gave him. Cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends for an evening of visitation at George Darte Funeral Chapel, 585 Carlton St., St. Catharines, on Thursday April 24 , 2008 from 7 until 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to a trust for Lynsey†™s and Theresa†™s education would be appreciated by the family. Online condolences may be made at www.dartefuneralhome.com We know what risks these landsmen run, From noblemen to tailors, Then, Bill let us thank Providence That you and I are sailors! Anon