Thomas W. North

Thomas W. North, devoted family man and accomplished businessman, passed away Friday, June 12th, 2020.

Tom’s chosen profession in the hospitality business provided him 50 years of experiences throughout the country and, on occasion, outside of it. Tom had a gift for building relationships with others, and his role in the hospitality business allowed that gift to shine. He formed some of his closest friendships through his work experience, and those relationships enriched his life and the lives of his family.

His friends and family will remember him in part through his stories. There was an impulsive weekend road trip to Florida, nominally for a golf outing, that featured a close encounter with an alligator and a high-speed pursuit to remind a motorist of the virtues of safe driving. There was a business trip to London and onto the south coast of England where his vital assistance to the hotel staff during a storm featuring hurricane-force winds allowed him to multi-task his mastery of hotel operations with his taste for scotch (or possibly a dry chardonnay). There was a stroll along the River Walk that resulted in someone else’s wet misstep into the San Antonio River. These experiences are only a few of the stories that were retold, and assuredly a fraction of others that for various reasons were not, as those involved would understand.

At the heart of each story, though, were his family and friends. His story began with his mother Alice and his father Thomas, a former mayor of Cleves, Ohio where he was raised. It continued through his time in college in Kentucky, and his personal and professional journey from Cincinnati to Chicago via New Jersey, Tampa, Chicago, Phoenix, and many points in between. The experiences he had in these places, and the care he put into the relationships he formed along the way, are what ultimately defined him.

He loved any time he could find in the sun, preferably by the ocean or at least somewhere with warm weather. This was only matched by his love for cars. His car buying mantra of “buy now, ask my wife’s forgiveness later” was a godsend to many car salesmen over the years. He loved baseball, and the experiences he shared with members of the mid-70’s Cincinnati Reds helped to form the man that his friends and family knew him to be.

He is survived by his wife Anita (nee Campagna), his daughter Nina, and his sons TJ (Vanessa), Anthony, and Alex. He was a proud grandfather of Nicolas, Leonardo, Carina and Santiago, a dear brother of the late Phyllis Thompson and dear brother in law of Annamarie (John) Urbano and adored uncle of Joseph, Michael and Samuel Urbano.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Lung Association in Tom’s name.

Tom lived a full life surrounded by family and friends. He will always be in our hearts and a part of the story of his children and his grandchildren for the years to come. We miss you, Dad.