Tom is missed immeasurably. It still is unimaginable that he has passed away. Occadionally speaking to his wife is a comfort. The sad truth is that there are no guarantees for living in this life. All fall short of perfection and die. Someday day that will change for those willing to live undrt God's new order. Until then we have to endure under these trying conditions. May the good Lord provide relief ASAP, please, for obedient mankind.

Tom made it a habit of always accepting my daughter's phone calls since she was copying my example of talking with Tom. Though she was disabled he always made time for her and they would have interesting conversations.  Then she would tell me, I talked to Tom today. He is fine. I told him he needed to wash his car, etc...It was always interesting. Sometimes Tom's wife would handle my daughter's calls and they would plan the next visit and lunch....Mac and cheese. Those were special times. Never thought about them ending. And they don't have to end. We will to keep Tom's memory alive while we await for a future date that promises to make things better and give people a chance at life again under significantly improved conditions.

When Tom was dealing with his mom's illness in the early mid eighties he had her living at his home in an efficiency. Until she passed he managed her well being. Around then I had separated from Delta and while transitioning to another airline I did mortgages. Tom (bless his soul) refinanced with me an assumable FHA loan he would let a buyer assume later on when he moved to another neighborhood. Then I would do the other mortgage on the newer home purchase too. Shortly thereafter, at the encouragement of Tom's wife I would start school again at the University. Tom's wife would be instrumental in me starting school again since she worked there at the highest levels.  We had a great relationship full of friendship and mutual goodwill and support. Tom is greatly missed. May the good Lord bring about the solutions to these maladies humans encounter. Ge 3:15, Mt 28:19-20, Rev 21 3+4.

There are various other remembrances of experiences with Tom. i.e. Tom had his wife help me with enrolling in my university schooling, in a big way, Tom cared for his mom to her final days, Tom had me provide him with special care providers for his Dad in his final days and months. After I separated from Delta, I did mortgages for a few years and Tom refinanced with me and later did a new mortgage on another house with me as well.  The list goes on. We were great friends that stood the test of time.  But now time has turned on us at least until a new day dawns when all things will be made new for obedient mankind according to the Scriptures in Rev 21:1-5.

Tom and I were working midnights at Delta and along with 5 or 6 other coworkers we went to Dennys for lunch around 3am.  Once eating, a group of 5 or 6 girls about 20ish, sat next to our table. They had been out dancing. Right away they began to gossip about guys at our table. They only spoke Spanish. At our table I was the only Spanish speaker. But you wouldn't know it by appearance. So these girls went on and on about cute guys at our table in Spanish and I would quietly translate to our  group all the comments. We laughed and laughed until I started talking to the girls in Spanish and our group was in an uproar. The girls were so embarrassed they quickly quieted down and returned to their personal business. That was another memorable time I enjoyed with Tom.

Jo Card

Tom and I were at his house and we were outside when a neighbor was walking into his house. The neighbor only spoke spanish. So Tom had been wanting to ask the neighbor if he wanted to buy Tom's house. So Tom asked me to talk to the neighbor in spanish and see if he was interested in the purchase. As it worked out the neighbor did want to buy Tom's house and did.  It all worked out. 

Some time back like 40 years, we were ending a work shift at Delta about 3am. In a rare occasion a group of us coworkers hung out at the employee  parking lot and ended up throwing each other into the lake shore. It was mild fun. Tom was laughing and enjoying himself. Afterwards, we would all drive to one coworkers house on a lake and chit chat, enjoying the night quiet and stars, moon etc...for short while. 

Tom's smile and gregarious manner was contagious. He would light up a room with his generous thoughtfulness and positive nature. His great demeanor was rarely matched by others but all were included in his warmth and great wit. 

Delightfully, Tom's wife would deliver their precious daughter as the beneficiary of Tom's great demeanor and come to be just like her Dad to the magnificent benefit of all who know them.

Joyfully, with time, Tom's radiance will continue to shine forth through his lovely family that together share in his,wonderfulness and will continue to share it with all, just like Tom. 

With love,
Jo Card



May I take a short moment to express my appreciation to the members of Legacy.com that have made this outlet possible to express our condolences in behalf of dear loved ones that have departed from the living.

I feel so thankful for the opportunity to express my appreciation for the exquisitive friendship I shared with my good friend Tom.

Tom was a great guy. He was always in a good mood when he came into our office no matter the situation. He really loved talking about his family, and we could tell he loved them and was very proud of them. We will miss seeing his smiling face, and the interesting conversations. Lee Atkins, Winter Park

Once I bought a car at a dealer, that turned out to be a very bad deal. After returning the car within a day or two via a tow truck I found the car parked at my house again. The dealer had towed the car back to my house. So I called Tom, and with his help, we drove the car back to the dealer and Tom followed me in his intimidating window tinted black truck. He parked it out front as I returned the car. Problem resolved. Thanks to Tom it was a slam dunk. He was amazing.

Tom and his Dad helped me pour a concrete slab in my backyard which was a total of 3 sections adding up to about 1000 sq ft.  Later, we would resod the backyard too. 

In the meantime, Tom would redesign part of the interior of his house with bathroom redo, living room and family room redo, and beautiful metal french doors which he bought himself at a wholesaler direct to builders. But Tom managed to bring them home in his truck at a major discounted rate.

On another occasion Tom's benevolence would shine through when his older brother had been robbed and left very badly injured. After life saving hospilization, Tom managed to get his brother a life annuity with monthly payouts so his brother could carry on with his life under his new disabled condition. Though Tom and his brother had very differing perspectives when it came to this situation Tom took care of his brother to the maximum of his ability all for his brothers sake.

Tom, with his wife and daughter made  time to visit my wife, daughter and I at the Gaylord in Orlando while my wife was at another convention. The six of us made a great time of the visit right at the Gaylord. There was a walking maze, and a gymnastics show that incorporated the kids  into the show. Later we would shop at the open venue stores and also had lunch on a 100 ft long pirate ship on a pond inside the hotel. A great day that was alot of fun for all. Tom and his family gave us a great time which we appreciated then and still now.

Tom made a beautifully landscaped front yard. It was over 100 ft. Long and 20 ft. Wide Of white sand hills up to 5 to 6 ft. High all covered with a foot or two of mulch.  And full of well placed palm trees, Phoenix palms,, plants and shrubs.  He maintained good brown space between the trees and plants for him walking to maintain his garden. To a lesser degree he would also landscape the sides and rear of property too. Many years later it was all still there. Later, I would replicate his beautiful treasure trove at my place just like he did except I could not lift my work up as high as his, for lack of sand. But it was beautiful too, to this day. Thanks to Tom I could make beautifully landscaped gardens at my house too, that are generally not found often.

Once, Tom was building a patio deck in his backyard. Of course, I was happy to help. But my help was not needed. He could just entertain himself doing it. Now this deck was a Cadillac of decks because of the materials used. Amazing foundation, concrete, highest quality wood, long straight stringers, twist in nails, built in sitting areas, not small, kinda large deck....Tom did it right.  I enjoyed helping him with it.

Tom was a fun jovial tough dude. He was caring and thoughtful. He was decisive and not often wrong. He respected an alternative point of view. His wife was his bedrock. Together they built a beautiful family which later would be blessed with a loving daughter and continuing joyful family life. Tom is immeasurably missed and his love for family friends and all  remains into eternity.

With love,
Jo

When Tom's Dad passed away, he had me eulogize his Dad. How special is that. Tom's Dad was sweet like Tom. Unfortunately, seven years back I had to slow down from Tom's pace due to an accident I had cutting down a tree. Three weeks coma tramautic brain injury and arm and leg damage to this day. Tom remained my friend. We just could not do all the things we previously enjoyed. I was on hiatus. Not Tom. He kept his pace. Life has a way of slowing us all down eventually, one way or another. Never in a million years would I think Tom was on his way out. It will take time to process this situation. In the meantime, so glad to have Tom in my life along with our energy output for good. Profoundly glad to have his wife and mine allow all the good that came from our friendship. Sincerely, Jo Card.

Tom was energy in motion. He always had a project(s) in the works. And he made the work fun. His wife gave him all the support he needed. And his daughter would become the additional love of his life, after his wife. What a great guy. Yet he made time for so many other people and things, ie...various postings here, house flipping activities, playing with family, etc...Tom was my friend. It's hard to think about him not being around anymore for now. Having his wife and daughter remain as friends is a great comfort and source of continuity for which I remain appreciative. Thank you Legacy for your support. Sincerely, Jo.

Once, Tom and I took his wife, daughter, sister in law and two kids boating in Miami all day. We dropped the boat at Matheson, rode the boat from Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne, Bayside and Soldier Key. We also went up the Miami River before returning to Matheson and heading home. At home the kids all helped clean the boat. Tom and I gave the families a great memorable day that we enjoyed as well. May we look forward to enjoying this somehow in the future again.

Add a memory...Tom was living in Orlando. My wife and were staying at Disney Animal Kingdom. Next thing, Tom and wife are visiting us at the Animal Kingdom lobby where we spend hours enjoying the tourist status together. Another Orlando trip has me staying at the Gaylord for a convention for my wife,  so I go to Tom's house and spend the day with him and his family in their neighborhood. Oh what fun....Tom would take time off from work to hang out with me. I loved it. His lovely wife would make us mac and cheese for lunch and we would go out for early dinner. Dear friend, thanks for the memories. May they repeat themselves.

Tom and I worked at Delta loading bags onto airplanes. Usually we worked the night shift. We had a great working relationship. At the start of shift we would split up the workload ie...you fuelup, I will check in paperwork. Meet at the gate and wait for plane. Ok....Then when plane came in we park it and share the load. We would knock it out. We enjoyed the work...even more we enjoyed the teamwork.I still remember it as if it was not to long ago. But it was almost forty years ago.

Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.

Add a memory.....we were playing basketball.....one on one at his house...and left to meet up with his Dad, who was doing a little yard job for a customer. So, Tom and I helped his Dad complete the job. On a other occasion we built a wood fence at Tom's backyard. We also built a wood fence in my backyard. And then always back to the basketball. So many memories to remember.  They are appreciated. We also enjoyed the boating with his family too, in Miami and Orlando.

Tom was my close friend for over 40 years. Luann has always been a solid part of his life. Younger, we played basketball at his house all the time, always a project in the works...home repair, landscaping, fencing, errands, neighbor work, etc...we also assisted his Dad with small jobs. Then Tom incorporated and did part time landscaping work all the while working at Delta, me too.  With beautiful Nicole's arrival, life got even better for Tom.  Days boating in Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne, etc... was always great. What a wonderful time. After moving to Orlando, some things changed and many stayed the same. Now it was his boat not mine and Disney not South Florida. Hoping the Bible has the answer when it says there is a bright future for obedient mankind in Rev 21:3+4. Until then may Luann and Nicole find comfort in the scriptures, each other and the love Tom had for his family and all. With love....from J and Family.

Rest In Peace.  Good man with a great sense of humor. Our deepest condolences 

Tom was the kind of person every neighborhood should have.  He was always there for his neighbors.  He was the first to offer help without hesitation.  Always positive and encouraging.  We were honored to have known him for the time we did.  His presence will be missed tremendously.

He sounds like a wonderful person who devoted his life to his family and friends. He has a shining example of a selfless and talented person in his daughter Nicole.

I met Tommy through bowling in the junior and high school bowling leagues in Miami over 50 years ago.  I remember him always having a smile on his face and being just an all around nice guy. So sad to hear of his passing.  My sincere condolences to his family and friends.  May he rest in peace.

My dear friend Tom when I heard the news I was devastated but I knew you were already with God ,heaven must be awesome ,I know God's going to love you ,I surely did and untill I see you again I will always be thinking of you and your wonderful family peace beware of the Lord be with you and your family your friend Kevin 

I met.Tommy thru Coca cola-traveling league where he was always the life of the party.  Fast forward 50 plus years where LuAnn and Tommy has always stayed one of my closest friends.  I will miss the infectious laugh and his wit but I know Heaven is in for a real loud party with all those that pasted too soon.

Worked with Tom, at Delta Airlines..Always enjoyed his presence...Great man, and fun to be around!

It was a great shock to hear of Tom's sudden passing. He was always available to help whether he was rescuing my broken down boat or helping Anne with the church rummage sale. He was a great neighbor and friend and will be greatly missed. Please accept our sincere condolences LuAnn, Nicole and family.
God bless you Tom, the world is poorer without you.
Anne and Gerry Mcquiggan.

OBITUARY

Thomas F Martell

Passed away on FEBRUARY 2, 2020

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services