Robert Thom passed away peacefully in his sleep July 31, 2022 after a brief and unexpected illness. He was 74 years old.
Robert was raised in Trabboch, Scotland and was the fifth of six children. Life at Trabboch gave him the freedom to roam about the countryside and develop his love of nature. Robert was a bright child and graduated as the top student from Glainock School, a specialist school for rural studies.
He liked to joke that he was Scotland’s centennial gift to Canada, as he immigrated to Canada in 1967 after working for a year in Australia. Robert had a particularly adventurous soul and always made an impression on the people he met on his travels around the world.
Robert worked his entire life in the seed industry, including McGill & Smith Seed Merchants, Maple Leaf Mills, Ontario Seed Company Ltd, and he eventually became the owner of Parsons Seeds Ltd in Beeton, Ontario. He worked diligently to promote canola and flax varieties, and served as a director of the Canadian Seed Trade Alliance in 1991 and as the president of SeCan from 1995 to 1997.
Robert was a very unassuming and private man, but eventually he opened up to Barbara Donovan and they married and settled down in Peterborough in 1976. The two of them eventually moved to Beeton, Ontario where they raised their sons for 13 years. The family then packed up and moved to the countryside around Alliston, where the rolling hills reminded Robert of the terrain of his birth country.
Robert’s life was filled with trees, flowers and vegetables and always had several gardens to tend to. In addition to all things horticultural, Robert was passionate about politics and was always up for lively discourse on whichever politician was in the news.
He is survived by his partner Marci Vexler, son Scot (wife Maleewan), son Adam, and sister Mae Filippi (husband Simon).
He is predeceased by his wife Barbara, brother Ian, sister Margaret Cunningham, sister Jean Girvan, sister Millie Jackson, and his parents John and Jean Thom.
Memorial Visitation will be held at Rod Abrams Funeral Home 1666 Tottenham Rd., Tottenham on Friday August 5, 2022 from 6-8pm. Memorial Service will be held in the chapel on Saturday August 6, 2022 at 11am. The Family respectfully requests that all in attendance for the Service wear a face mask. Condolences may be left for the family on Robert’s memorial page at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com.
Service
Visitation
Rod Abrams Funeral Home
1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham Ontario L0G1W0
Friday August 5, 2022
6:00pm - 8:00pm
Funeral Service
Rod Abrams Funeral Home
1666 Tottenham Road, Tottenham Ontario L0G1W0
Saturday August 6, 202211:00am
Alan and Wendy Masters says
Dear Scot and Adam and families
So very sorry to hear of your dad ‘s passing.
You are all in our hearts,thoughts and prayers.
Love and happy memories
Alan and Wendy Masters and family ❤️
Eleanor Girvan says
Uncle Robert visited me just over2 years ago. We walked around the Botanical garden. He reminisced about growing veggies at Trabboch and how the old ways of farming were coming back. How good rhubarb was as a ‘cleanser’. He then took me and my daughters our for a meal and the next day headed away. Robert was an incredible source of support to me when my mother (his sister) passed away. He knew to just be there without saying much. And he was extremely respectful of his own mother. He told me growing up with 4 sisters he soon saw who did most of the work, most of the eating and most of the talking too. Uncle Robert kept in touch with me via email, sending me cheeky cartoons. He was so proud of his sons and sent me photos and kept me up to date with their lives. In recent emails he dreamed of coming back with Adam to help me set up veggie gardens on my sandy soil. The plan involved salmon fishing too. I feel very sad at Uncle Roberts sudden passing and send love to Adam and Scot as I know they will miss their father.
Hugh Harbinson says
Dear Adam,Scott, Family and Friends
Robert was truly one of a kind….we will miss his wicked wit, dry sense of humour, and his pretty good touch on the BBQ. He will be greatly missed by all who crossed paths with him, for sure!
Safe passage Robert,and tight lines forever.
Love,
Deb and Hugh Harbinson
Deanna and James says
Our sincere condolences to Robert’s loved ones. He was a wonderful person, taken too soon. We will miss his quick wit and dry humour. Robert, we know you will be there helping us with our next puzzle …or perhaps hiding a piece or two 🙂 Missing you already xx
Parmodh Angrish says
Dear Scot and Adam,
I wish I could be there to honor your dad along with you. He was a great man. My thoughts are with you during this time of sorrow following the loss of your dad. I would like to wish you comfort during this difficult time, and my deepest sympathies go to you and your family.
May his soul rest in peace.
Respectfully, RSM Canada LLP.
Jim McCarter says
I first met Robert and Barb about four decades ago. I think I may even have some of his old records from when he was considering purchasing the seed business in Beeton. While this was just one of that soft spoken canny Scotsman ‘s shrewd decisions over the years, I always felt Robert had struck gold when he somehow convinced Barb to be his bride – what a perfect match and how tragic her passing a few years ago.
I haven’t seen much of Robert over the part two decades but I’m sure his trademark quiet wit and dry sense of humour have only gotten more finely tuned over the years. A true ‘nice guy’ that I know those close to him now will dearly miss. To Scot and Adam, solder on boys and be as proud of your old man as he always was of you both.
Wendy and Bill Slater says
Scott and Adam,
Bill and I were very sad to hear that your dad had passed away.
We didn’t know your dad very well but we think both he and your mom did a great job raising you both.
We would have liked very much to see you today but neither of us are feeling well.
If you ever have an opportunity to be in, or close to Collingwood we would love to see you and catch up on all our stories.
With kindest thought from us,
Bill and Wendy
Raymond Walker says
This has caught me by surprise, as it has not been that long since I talked to Robert, but in true Robert form, he of course would not mention that he was not feeling well.
I first met Robert in the Seed Industry 25 plus years ago, and from day 1 we hit it off.
He was a person who would help when he could, usually with advise and always with his sense of humor and he loved to negotiate on dealings as the Seed Industry was his passion.
I will miss our great conversations and his humor.
My condolences to the Thom Family
Joe Hickson says
My condolences to the family. There is not enough time or space to write about all of Robert’s positive contributions to the seed industry. From actually providing quality seed to the industry to the work behind the scenes that had a positive and a long term impact on the industry. His upbeat personality and honesty touched us all.
Peter Barker says
My sincere condolences to the Thom family. I have fond memories of Robert as he provided my business with seed for 30 years. I could always count on him as he was honest and always treated me well. I could always call him and chat about the seed business. So sorry to hear of this news. He will be missed.
Katharine McCarter says
This news is unexpected and heartbreaking. I will miss our pollination discussions, card playing, and his quick whit.
Family gatherings will never feel the same.
Stephen Levine says
How very sad that he was taken so early. Heaven just got the best fisherman and landscaper that I’ve ever met. i will miss him greatly.
Rosamund Owen says
My sincere condolences to the Thom family. As backyard neighbours of Robert, Barb, Scot and Adam – I have many fond memories of meals together, chatting over burgers while the children played. Latterly, from time to time Robert and I chatted over coffee, shared stories of our now adult children. In his quiet way, Robert set me straight about various politicians. We enjoyed a chuckle over this as we didn’t always agree. Robert, will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Much love to all of his family.
Gillian Forrest (Forsyth) says
I am so sorry to hear the news about Robert, he was one of a kind. As a young girl in their wedding party and into my adult life, i always enjoyed his company. Soft spoken, funny, kind and gentle. Words of wisdom and quit wit could always be depended upon from Robert. After Barb passed away, Robert took the time to send me all the letters and items that Barb had collected over the years that I had sent her. He was always so thoughtful. I am sorry I am unable to join the family this weekend and celebrate his wonderful and full life at the funeral. He left us too quickly.
All my love
Gillian Forrest (Forsyth)
rhona levine says
I was so sorry to hear about Robert,s passing ,my condolences to all
Bill & Pat Leask says
Our sincere condolences to Scott, Adam and family. We have many fond memories of meeting at CSTA and continued meet-ups over the years with Robert, Barb & the boys – from Bill, Pat, Greg & Sarah Leask.
Sheila Baker says
I didn’t know Robert well but I know he was a very kind and gentille man. May all the good memories of him help you all get through this very difficult time.