Obituary

Tom was born in Fremont, Ohio to the late Freida and Thomas E. Gavin.  Growing up in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida, he loved sports and teasing an older sister and younger brother.  His sense of humor was dry even as a young man.  He enlisted in the Air-Force at 21 years old and served with honors.

In 1956, he met a vibrant and beautiful Italian girl, Camille Marie Zisa.  They were married just three months after their initial meeting in a big Irish-Italian Catholic wedding in Hackensack, New Jersey.  On August 18th, Tom and Camille celebrated 64 years of marriage with great love.

His zest for learning peaked after the Air-Force and he successfully earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1958.  That year, even his beloved wife earned a certificate from Fairleigh Dickinson University stating her “grateful appreciation for her help, understanding and inspiration while her husband was completing his college education.”

Tom’s career was in graphic arts packaging, rising to the Vice President level.  He loved the art of printing, detail of color, precise composition, and seeing his finished packages on the likes of Ore-Ida, Max Factor, and Apple products.

He absolutely loved his friends and family.  From big Italian gatherings to Idaho adventures,  cross country trips, and Pasadena reunions, he embraced each new day. He was ever proud of his children Tom, Kathleen, Steve, and David and always considered Eric his fourth son.  But it was his grandchildren that brought him the greatest joy — Aleia, Gavin, Zac, Justin, Grant, Logan, Alexandra, and McKenna. He cared for them with fatherly concern and adoration. As they grew older, he would hang on their every word while seeking life updates and providing encouragement.

Tom leaves the family he loved behind and we shall all miss him greatly.  We do rejoice that he knew the Lord and had no fear of death.  He will join our beloved David in heaven with our Lord.

His funeral mass is Saturday, September 19th, 2:00pm at Saint Timothy Catholic Church in Laguna Niguel. If you would like to attend, please email Kathleen at kkrogius@gmail.com as seating is limited.

In lieu of flowers, our family requests that donations be made to Mission Hospital Foundation in honor of Thomas Edward Gavin Jr.

www.providence.org/donate/mission-hospital-foundation