It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our loving husband, father and friend Tom Radley.
Tom’s love of adventure took him on many avenues throughout his life time. A road builder at heart he knew that all things in life started with a solid foundation. From building roads in the far north, to building the local curling rink, developing the John Baker Airport infrastructure, to initiating the first Babe Ruth Baseball Society for Burns Lake. Village Council was a great challenge for Tom. He believed that he could help make a difference for the residents of the Lakes District. His commitment to the residents of Burns Lake was the motivation for his strong willed way.
People believed in Tom’s commitment. When the highways privatized, Tom was the champion to see LDM formed. Many of the first founding members of Lakes District Maintenance will remember the ferocious way in which Tom confirmed contracts, bought machinery and managed the company for 15 years. It was through his connections, hard work, dedication, honesty and constant persistence that LDM has been so successful.
When faced with a new challenge, Tom never backed down. Go forward, learn your lessons and complete the job was his way. He was a mentor, scolder, teacher and friend to all he met.
IMPRESSIONS OF A PILOT
Flight is freedom in its purest form,
To dance with the clouds which follow a storm;
To roll and glide, to whell and spin,
To feel the joy that swells within;
To leave the earth with its troubles and fly,
And know the warmth of a clear spring sky;
Then back to earth at the end of a day,
Released from the tensions which melted away.
Should my end come while I am in flight,
Whether brightest day or darkest night;
Spare me your pity and shrug off the pain,
Secure in the knowledge that I’d do it again;
For each of us is created to die,
And within me I know,
I was born to fly.
~ Gary Claud Stokor
Tom is survived by the love of his life Valorie, his angel sons Michael (Trena) and Stephen (Tennille). Step children Darren, Angela and Brittney Fehr. Grandsons Dillon, Nathan, Braiden and Haydon. Sisters Joan (Gordon) McFee, Heather Bett, Lori (Kevin) White, Jackie (Mike) Cope and brother Tyson (Gail) Radley. Plus a large loving family of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
In lieu of flowers donations in Tom’s name can be made to the Lakes District Airport Society in care of the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako.