Thomas Rhodes
Noted lakecity lawyer Thomas Rhodes passed away peacefully on June 2, 2004 at the age of 82 in Cariboo Memorial Hospital in Williams Lake B.C.
Tom was predeceased by his wife Angela in 1963.
He is survived and will be lovingly remembered by his loving wife of 38 years, Veronica Mary; his son John of Toronto, Ontario, and his daughters Gillian and her two children, Stephen and Graeme of Victoria, B.C. and his daughter Sheila; and her two children Christopher and Angela of White Rock, B.C.
Thomas Alfred Thornycroft Rhodes, D.F.C., Q.C., LL.B, A.C.I. Arb., C. Arb. began life in Vernon on April 3, 1922. Tom’s family of four brothers, Jack, Richard, Charlie, Roley, and his only sister, Patricia moved to Victoria to receive their schooling.
In 1941 at the age of 19, Tom joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was an instrument aircraft pilot and flight commander of the 431 Squadron. He was honoured with the D.F.C.
After the Second World War Tom went to Victoria College where he was part of the debating team. This fuelled an interest for law and he followed through with law school at UBC and was called to the bar May 1, 1954.
Shortly after this he became an alderman to the city of Vancouver.
Tom met and married Mary in 1966. Tom had his own law practise in Williams Lake for 22 years.
He was appointed to the Queen’s Counsel in December 1984.
Tom had a passion for the outdoors and loved everything about nature. He always had a quest for more knowledge and loved to read.
He loved horses and in his early years he loved prospecting.
His family offers a special thanks to all of Tom and Mary’s wonderful neighbours and friends for their loving care and support and to Dr. York and the nurses, especially Joan and Gwen in the emergency department.
Tom’s motto: ‘Fortis Quo si Vincu’ or ‘Do Right and Fear Nothing’ will always stay in his family’s hearts with love.
A funeral service was held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on June 7, 2004 at 1 p.m. Cremation was entrusted to La Prairie funeral arrangements.