Tom Siffermann - June 10, 2014
Tom Siffermann joined the club after Rich Bellville and Greg Bowron bumped into him by accident at a PIP Printer's. Greg dressed in his usual Notre Dame garb couldn't help asking Tom if he was saving his money for a better hat. Tom, wearing his USC hat, shot back a barb and the Game was on! When Greg and Rich went to their Vettes in the parking lot they noticed a yellow Vette parked by theirs with a USC plate so they waited. When Tom came out they struck up another conversation duly loaded with some additional barbs and Greg invited him to join the club. Tom showed up at the next meeting, dressed in Cardinal & Gold of course, and joined the group.
Tom passed away peacefully in his sleep at 1:30am on June 10th, 2014 after a long struggle with cancer. Tom was the picture boy for courage and positive attitude. He endured several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy several times and the cancer had spread to his colon, lungs, liver, brain, etc. yet he stayed positive and kept enjoying life. Tom would take chemotherapy one week and then travel to some exotic land the next so he could stay alive and moving. He shared with Greg that he did not fear death as he felt he had led a very good and enjoyable life.
He enjoyed several trips with the club. One memorable one was Tom, a stout USC fan, going with us to Notre Dame for a campus visit and football game. He looked great in Navy Blue & Gold! Those that took the Somerville Cruise trip with us will recall Tom going with his grandson and letting his grandson, who was on a beginner's permit, drive home on the back roads of Kentucky for his first time ever driving a Vette. Tom said his grandson told him "this is even more fun than a video game!" Tom last made a Drive N Dine with the club last summer when he was feeling well enough between chemo treatments and his fight with the disease.
Tom will be missed and although we are sad, we feel blessed that he passed our way and chose to spend his last years in the club. We believe and hope that Tom's last years were made a little brighter with his Corvette and being able to participate and enjoy some of the club events. RIP our friend and Tom when you reach that lofty reward, HE can tell you himself, "God Made the Irish #1!" and as I always tried to tell you, USC is #2!
Tom passed away peacefully in his sleep at 1:30am on June 10th, 2014 after a long struggle with cancer. Tom was the picture boy for courage and positive attitude. He endured several surgeries, chemotherapy and radiation therapy several times and the cancer had spread to his colon, lungs, liver, brain, etc. yet he stayed positive and kept enjoying life. Tom would take chemotherapy one week and then travel to some exotic land the next so he could stay alive and moving. He shared with Greg that he did not fear death as he felt he had led a very good and enjoyable life.
He enjoyed several trips with the club. One memorable one was Tom, a stout USC fan, going with us to Notre Dame for a campus visit and football game. He looked great in Navy Blue & Gold! Those that took the Somerville Cruise trip with us will recall Tom going with his grandson and letting his grandson, who was on a beginner's permit, drive home on the back roads of Kentucky for his first time ever driving a Vette. Tom said his grandson told him "this is even more fun than a video game!" Tom last made a Drive N Dine with the club last summer when he was feeling well enough between chemo treatments and his fight with the disease.
Tom will be missed and although we are sad, we feel blessed that he passed our way and chose to spend his last years in the club. We believe and hope that Tom's last years were made a little brighter with his Corvette and being able to participate and enjoy some of the club events. RIP our friend and Tom when you reach that lofty reward, HE can tell you himself, "God Made the Irish #1!" and as I always tried to tell you, USC is #2!
