Tom Mills, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great Grandfather, Community Leader, Mayor, Firefighter, Marina Owner, World Traveler, Engineer, Commissioner, Hockey Player, Published Writer and Friend. These are just a few of the many things Tom accomplished throughout his life.
Tom was born in East York, a town outside of Toronto, Canada on March 23, 1935 to Thomas and Edna Mills. Growing up in a large family, Tom worked for his father in the family business Mills Radio and Sound. He attended East York Collegiate and Ryerson University. Immediately after graduation, he joined Kenting Aviation, conducting Airborne Geophysical surveys across Northern Canada in summer and South American Countries in the winter. During this time, he met and married Joan Medland, the love of his life and truly discovered his love for travel. Immigrating to California with Fairchild Semiconductors as an Application Engineer in the early days of Silicon Valley and later was pirated away with other Engineers by start-up ITT Semiconductors in West Palm Beach, Florida. Proud of working full time supporting his growing family while putting himself through school at Foothills College; Tom was always looking for opportunities to advance and expand his knowledge. He jumped at every chance to read or take a new course.
His long career included Engineering Management, and Senior Marketing positions culminating into World Wide Marketing Manager for ITT and then Vice President and Director of Marketing for the Electromotive Corporation. Besides having an extensive professional career, Tom and his family owned and operated Cannonsport Marina starting in 1979 and had extended with three generations working alongside for over 25 years.
Tom loved rollerblading, writing poems, community service, travel and his favorite was competitive senior hockey traveling as far as Europe and Asia to play. He played in 14 Snoopy World Tournaments (6 Gold, 3 Silver, 4 Bronze metals.) 3 Amateur World Cup (2 Championships) and was inducted in the Canadian 80+ Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018. Tom said his proudest hockey fact is having played on the same team with his son for the last 25 years. His son Russell convinced him to get back on the ice after a 15-year absence.
A man with integrity, leadership and a master delegator, Tom was a President of the Rotary Club of Singer Island, former president of Palm Beach Shores Property Owners Association, town volunteer firefighter for 14 years including his last three years as Assistant Chief. He was appointed Commissioner then Vice Mayor. Elected Mayor of Palm Beach Shores, Tom served for a total of 13 years, the longest in Palm Beach Shores history. Tom was so proud of his many accomplishments including the original Sewer System, 3 Parks (Town Hall, Inlet and Beach), Sidewalks around the Town’s perimeter, Street Lights, Cross walks on every street along North-South Parkway; the Beach Dunes Crossover, the Tiki Hut, the playground, the Mayor’s Youth Council and the Palm Beach Shores Community Center. No job was too big for Tom. He loved all of the challenges. Tom was also an Honorary Deputy Sheriff of Palm Beach County. He also wrote a book on the history of Palm Beach Shores and Singer Island. Ultimately, Tom has been the key reason why Palm Beach Shores is and will continue to be “The Best Little Town in Florida”.
Tom passed away on May 9, 2021 surrounded by family. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife Joan of 64 years, his cherished children Linda (Andy) Leet of Jupiter, Russell (Elzana) Mills of Jupiter, Pamela (Doug) Carman of Palm Beach Gardens, his treasured grandchildren Daniel (Christina) Leet, William (Brittany) Leet, Samantha Leet, Dylan Carman, Dawson Carman, Maya Mills; his adored great grandchildren Hannah Leet and Ella Leet. Tom is also survived by his brothers Jim and Paul (Judy) Mills, his sister Pat Forbes. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Iris and Lois.
A Celebration of Life Open House will be held on June 4 from 4-8pm at Palm Beach Shores Community Center, 90 Edwards Lane, Palm Beach Shores, Florida, 33404. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to The Rotary Club of Singer Island Foundation, Inc., 1281 N. Ocean Drive PMB 170, Singer Island Florida 33404, http://www.singerislandrotary.org.
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