Guestbook

Lifelong friendships are rare treasures, incredibly difficult to discover, and once experienced, their absence leaves an irreplaceable void. To simply state that Thomas's passing is hard is a profound understatement; it barely scratches the surface of the grief we feel. Thomas possessed a rare combination of qualities that made him truly unique. He was, without a doubt, one of the most polite individuals I have ever encountered, yet beneath that politeness resided a passionate, hot-blooded spirit. He had an inimitable sense of humor, a gift for making people laugh that few possess. As a neighbor, he was simply irreplaceable, always ready with a helping hand or a friendly word. He and his wife, Isık, who is like a sister to me, formed one of the most wonderful couples I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Thomas, you were more than just a friend; you were a lovely friend, a cherished neighbor, and a truly wonderful father to your children. The thought of not seeing you around, of your absence in our lives, is truly unbelievable, a reality that is hard to accept. I, along with all of your neighbors, feel your loss deeply and miss you so very much. Your lovely wife, our precious Isık, and your wonderful children will forever remain our responsibility, our entrustment, and we will always be there for them. I will cherish the memories I have of you and strive to keep your spirit alive in our community. Your impact on our lives will never be forgotten, and your memory will continue to inspire us to be better friends, neighbors, and people.I am so grateful for the time I had with you, Thomas.

Işık Hocam, kelimeler boğazıma düğümlendi. Eşiniz Thomas’ı hiç tanımadım; ama sizin neşeniz ve huzurunuz zaten eşinizin nasıl birisi olduğunu anlamak, tanımak için yeterli bir göstergeydi. Sizi bir keresinde arabayla eve bırakıyordum, çok fazla trafik vardı, “eşim ve oğlum bekliyor hemen gidelim” tarzı o tatlı heyecanınızı asla unutmam. Bir gün ailecek, o en güzel cennet makamında yeniden kavuşacaksınız. Allah sizi çocuklarınızın başından asla eksik etmesin🙏😞

Dear Thomas, We met through our kids playing all around the lojman and the kindergarten and we had nice chats about everything. You were always nice and kind and very good with your kids. We weren’t close friends but it doesn’t take years or deep conversations to see a kind soul. I hope you’re happy where you are and your kindness perseveres in your wonderful kids and your lovely wife.

Dear Professor Thomas, It is so hard to find the right words to express the sadness I feel. You were more than just a teacher — you were a true inspiration. Your kindness, passion for teaching, and deep care for your students left a lasting impression on all of us. I feel truly honored to have been one of your students. May your soul rest in peace, and may your legacy live on in the many lives you touched — including mine. With deepest respect and heartfelt prayers, İslam Ali

Dear Isik & Family, I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. Even after more than two decades, I still clearly remember the first time I met Thomas. He radiated a calm, steady warmth that immediately put everyone around him at ease. He was undoubtedly ‘cool’ and ‘chill’ but more than anything, he projected a deep, unmistakable goodness. It was something you could feel just by being in his presence and it gave strength to those near him. I never heard anyone speak of Thomas without a smile. He left behind a legacy of kindness, generosity of spirit, and a deep abiding concern for humanity. He was liked by everyone who knew him and loved deeply by those who knew him well. That love reflected the care he gave so freely to others. Though you are gone, Thomas, you will never be forgotten. You live on in the hearts of those you touched and in the lasting impact of your good work in this world. Rest in peace sweet friend, Mary

Dear Thomas, I never had the chance to meet you in person, but I know you as the husband of my dearest teacher, Işık Hoca. I always saw her so happy, speaking of you with immense love and affection, a true reflection of a beautiful, successful marriage. Through her, I came to know you as an incredible person, a wonderful husband, and a devoted father. May you rest in eternal peace.

Thomas was a great older brother when we were kids. Like all kids we probably had 1,000 fights, some of them a little violent but none of them lasting very long or creating any long-term feelings. We spent a lot of time together. We probably played 1,000 ping-pong games together and with Julie and we eventually kept track of who won - I think he was slightly ahead. We played a lot of tennis together, too. Thomas and I also spent our teenage summers together landscaping with my dad. We worked with a group of Mexican men and they all loved Thomas because he was so funny and because he had great things to say and great questions and because he was always appreciating what they had - appreciating their tamales and trying to eat hot peppers whole just like them. They always shared with him. They also liked that he joked while working. He was pretty close with those guys. He took good care of me. He invited me out with his friends all the time and didn’t make a big deal of it. Thomas loved life. He was a bon vivant. He was usually close to the most curious and perhaps funniest guy in the group and everyone loved being around him. He made friends really quickly and people stayed friends with him over time even if they were far apart. He had “great aura,” as my kids say.