WILTON – Tom was born in Glenwood, MN to Betty & Leonard Chan on July 6, 1946. He graduated from Glenwood High School in 1964, and the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy in 1969. He received his MBA from Thomas College in 1985.
Tom married his pharmacy classmate and best friend Paulette Hanson on June 28, 1968. After graduating, they moved to a log cabin built by Paulette’s father at Roy Lake, in Northern Minnesota. For several years they provided much-appreciated relief for the rural independent pharmacies in the area. After a brief ownership of a pharmacy in Wabasha, MN, they moved to Maine in 1972 to ski, sail, hike, and enjoy the beauty of the State. Tom worked for LaVerdiere’s Drug Store in Farmington until 1982, Franklin Memorial Hospital as Chief Pharmacist and then VP of Human Resources until 1993. He then became a floater pharmacist for Hannaford Bros. and finished his career at the Jay location until 2012. Tom was also a school board director for 9 years at SAD #9, and on the board of Rural Health Associates.
At the age of 50, Tom and Paulette decided to pursue partial retirement. Having sailed the Maine coast for several years, he wanted to pursue his dream to sail around the world. They completed a 2-year restoration of an older boat in their backyard. In 1997 they cast off aboard “Snowdrift”, and, after experiencing an offshore passage under gale force winds on their way to the Caribbean, decided that would be as far as they needed to go. They sailed in the region for the next 17 winters, exploring islands from the VI to Trinidad. While health concerns eventually brought an end to the boating life, it was filled to the brim with crazy adventures and meaningful connections with other “live-aboard” friends from all over the world.
Tom was a man of many talents. He not only restored the sailboat, but built a garage, potting shed, sauna, and many pieces of furniture. He constructed many of the flower boxes in the town of Wilton that are colorfully planted every summer. Tom could fix almost everything, having grown up on a farm where this is what one does. Over his lifetime he pursued a Pilot’s license, a Diving certificate, Captains license, and Ham Radio license. He enjoyed golf, tennis, skiing, and reading history and biographies. He had a strong work ethic and whenever a pharmacy needed him, neither snowstorm nor hurricane could keep him from showing up. Tom’s sense of humor was unique, as many of his friends will remember.
Tom died at home on December 24, 2023 in the presence of his family. He is survived by his wife Paulette, daughters Monique Cahn of Wilton, ME and Ramona Pursel (Jim) of Santa Barbara, CA, brothers Jim (Bev) Chan of Manhattan, KS and Randy (Lucy) Chan of Glenwood, MN, and many nieces and nephews.
One of his favorite sayings was “Life is a voyage in which we choose neither the vessel nor weather. But much can be done with the management of the sails and the guidance of the helm.“
May you have calm seas and fair winds, Tom. You were a wonderful husband, father, and friend. We will miss you dearly.
The family will plan a celebration of life in the summer of 2024. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Tom’s memory to Friends of Wilson Lake (FOWL), PO Box 560, Wilton, ME 04294. Memories may be shared in his Book of Memories at www.wilesrc.com. Wiles Remembrance Center of Farmington is honored to be caring for the family.
I always enjoyed working with Tom while he was at Franklin Memorial. He was a kind and gentle soul. After reading this, there are many conversations I wish we could have had. Peace to the family.
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Thinking of your family at this time.
Susie Balsamo-Monk
I remember Tom fondly at LaVerdiere’s, Hannaford’s and Franklin Memorial Hospital when I worked there. He always had a pleasant smile ready for everybody and a ready ear if you needed it.
Butch and June – “Your passing leaves a void in our community that cannot be filled. Your kindness and infectious sense of humor brightened our days and brought warmth to our neighborhood. You’ll always be remembered fondly for the joy and laughter you shared with everyone around you. Rest in peace, dear neighbor, your presence will be dearly missed.”
I am sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Tom is a man I’ll never forget. I had the pleasure of working with Tom in the Jay Hannaford Pharmacy. We’d work. We’d talk about our likes and dislikes. We’d share family stories. Tom was someone I always enjoyed bumping into in the community. He will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. Thanks for the memories, Tom. My thoughts go out to his family.
My sincere condolences to Paulette and family.
Paulette, my thoughts and prayers are with you during these difficult times. I remember picking up meds from both of your pharmacy near the hospital, working with Tom at the hospital and seeing Tom occasionally at Hannaford in Jay. There are not enough words to describe the fond memories he left all of us. Thank you for sharing his favorite saying and will be something I will hold onto. Please post his summer memorial, if is a public event, so we can attend. Sending you lots of love, Tammy Dwinal-Shufelt
So very sorry to see this and sending my condolences to all his family. What a beautiful life…lived by this kind, gentle man!
My sincerest condolences to you, Paulette and to your family and friends. How I loved to hear of your and Tom’s adventures.
Paulette, Monique, and Ramona,
May you find comfort with family and friends, and with your wonderful memories. May your faith sustain you. Sincere condolences.
If my memory serves me correctly, I remember you as “Tommy,” a 4th grader. We were in the same class. You were tall and slender with dark hair. Am I remembering that you played an accordion? I moved away a couple years after that and never saw you again. While I don’t remember very many of my classmates in Glenwood, I have always kept your name in my memory. You were unusual in the authentic way you had fun, and that impression of you stayed with me. I am sorry for your passing and offer my condolences to your family. Thank you for sharing your vibrant spirit with me. Peace. Kathy Harvey
Paulette, Monique,and Ramona, so sorry for your loss. My prayers for peace and healing go out to you. Tom was a wonderful person and I enjoyed my years working with him at FMH pharmacy. I have fond memories of his story telling and how he played practical jokes on his favorite friends and co workers. He will truly be missed by all.
Paulette I worked with Tom at LaVerdiere’s and spoke with you many times. After moving away from the Farmington area, I ran into Tom many years later at Hannaford’s, I was delighted to see him and enjoyed our catching up conversation. Tom was great fun to work with and a practical joker he was. Very sorry for the Loss to you and your family. Tom will be missed by many, I was fortunate to have worked with him.