Thomas Pick obituary
Lindsay, ON (April 27, 2024) - In the days leading up to his death, Tom was surrounded by family and friends, a fitting goodbye for a devoted family man.
Tom leaves his wife June; children, Stephanie, Andrew (Bobbi) and James (Sophie). He was predeceased by John. He will be deeply missed by his brother, Martin (Denise); sister, Catherine (predeceased by Don); grandchildren, Alice, Jack, Bella, Rourke and Nathan; and nieces and nephews, Charlie (Rardi), George (Santi), Alison (Rion), Mark, and Louise (Joseph); and great-nieces and nephews Avery, Teagan, Cole, Nick, Leo and Catherine.
Tom was predeceased by Stephanie and Andrew's mother, Dr. Judy Gigal.
Tom was an ordinary, extraordinary man. As a single dad, he packed school lunches for Stephanie and Andrew with one hand while building a successful, international business with the other. Despite how much the business demanded of him, the kids always felt loved and prioritized.
In addition to the everyday tasks of parenting, he organized road trips, camping and ski adventures during their time as a household of three. On April Fool's Day, school lunch was a "ham" sandwich containing a "gotcha!" note on pink construction paper (he'd tuck a slice of ham into the lunch boxes, too, so they wouldn't go hungry).
After his marriage to June, he embraced James and John as both a father and mentor and was keenly sensitive to the kids' well-being when the two families became one. In the years that followed, June and Tom hosted many happy gatherings at their Newmarket home and later at the farm in Bethany and cottage on P.E.I.
Tom could always be found interacting with the ever-expanding crew, playing practical jokes, sharing some news he'd clipped out to discuss with one of the kids, and showing a genuine interest in what each was up to.
Born in Louny, Czechoslovakia, Tom arrived in Canada as a newborn, when his parents Otto and Marie Pick and his dear aunt Lya fled Czechoslovakia in advance of the Nazi invasion. First settling in Caledonia, Ontario, and later in Toronto, Otto and Marie established a family seed business. At school, Tom was a natural leader, organizing sports teams at Rushton Road and playing and coaching basketball at Richmond Hill High School.
After graduation he joined the family business, then enrolled in the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph. He would cut his studies short after his father's untimely death in 1959, returning home to run the seed business.
Tom, Martin and Marie ultimately grew Pickseed into the world's fourth largest grass and forage seed company with research, production and distribution operations across Canada, and established Pickseed West in Oregon. The business's success was due in great part to his always-questioning mind.
Never the loudest voice in the room, Tom examined every business move both for why the company shouldn't make it as much as for why they should. Tom was active in the global seed industry, serving as president of the Canadian Seed Trade Association and on the boards of the American Seed Trade Association and the Federation Internationale de Semences.
In 2013, Tom spearheaded the sale of the Pickseed Group of Companies to DLF Trifolium, a Danish multi-national organization. While Pickseed represented his life's work, Tom happily embraced retirement, focusing on countless projects at the farm including woodworking, tapping maple trees and rebuilding antique cars, a hobby he'd enjoyed since he was a teenager.
Tom contributed meaningfully to his Lindsay, Ontario community, both as an employer and - together with June - through his volunteerism with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation and Camp Kawartha. He shared his success with others through generous charitable giving to support child and youth causes - a legacy that will live on.
Throughout his life, Tom remained a man of strong character with an unfailing moral compass. He was an exemplary role model who many turned to for both advice and an empathetic ear. Despite the competing forces for his attention he always made time for everyone, especially if there was a problem to solve. He was truly our North Star.
The family sincerely thanks Dr. Jennifer Ingram, Tammy Adams and the Silver Lights team, Grace Popovic and the Palliative Care team at Ross Memorial Hospital for their care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to Ross Memorial's Palliative Care Unit, Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Foundation or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kawartha Lakes.
A visitation and service for family and close friends will take place in Lindsay (details will be available at www.mackeys.ca) followed by a celebration of life at a later date. Details to follow.