Thomas A. Getz

Thomas "Tom" Arthur Getz, 77, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 11, 2020 surrounded by his loving family after a bout with cancer. Thomas was born just outside of Philadelphia on May 15th, 1943 to the late Fredrick Getz and Elizabeth Brown Henson. He was preceded in death by his daughter Mary Kathryn Getz.

Tom had been a resident of Wilmington for 28 years. He graduated from Radner High School in 1962 and, like his father, attended Penn State University and was a member of the Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He graduated in 1966 with a degree in home economics and hotel administration. Like many of his classmates after college, Tom enlisted in the US Army and went to basic training at Fort Jackson. Following basic training, he deployed to Vietnam in June 1968. Tom worked in Army intelligence as a trained Laotian linguist attached to a small South Vietnamese Army unit.

Away from the front lines and relatively safe in areas carefully controlled by South Vietnamese and US Army forces, Tom had family visit him while at war. His mother and stepfather visited him in Saigon. With his parents in town, Tom spoke of being able to find time away from his Army intelligence duties to enjoy a memorable week exploring the vibrant city despite the war raging nearby. He retired from the Army in 1969 with the rank of Staff Sargent.

After the Army, Tom was hired by Sheraton Corporation as a management trainee in Boston and then transferred to Philadelphia. One soggy cold winter in Philadelphia, he was offered the resident manager position of the Maui Sheraton Hotel. This was an opportunity he willingly accepted! Tom later transferred to Washington DC as the managing director of the Sheraton Park Hotel.

In 1975, he met a wonderful girl, Paula Eddens (Hart) on a date set up by his brother. Smitten by this Southern beauty he married her soon after, and settled in Annapolis, Maryland as the general manager of the Annapolis Hilton. In 1978 his son M. Curt Getz was born followed by his daughter Mary Kathryn Getz in 1980. Each year Tom played a major role in the United States Power and Sailboat shows. He was active in the Rotary International and annually helped organize the legendary Annapolis Crab Feast. In 1986-87 Tom was the president of the Annapolis Rotary Club.

While living in Annapolis, Tom had some unique honors during the 1984 Summer Olympics. Preliminary events were held at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland and as the manager of the host hotel, Tom was nominated as the "mayor" of the Olympic Village. He was also given the elite honor of running the Olympic torch for a portion of the 9,320-mile relay that crossed the country to the Los Angeles Games.

Tom’s family moved to Wilmington, NC in 1993. Choosing to leave hotel administration, Tom started his own health insurance brokerage firm, The Health Insurance Company of Wilmington. Tom retired from the health insurance business in 2009 just before the creation of the Affordable Healthcare Act.

Throughout his lifetime, Tom was an avid boater, was passionate about antique cars and motorcycles and loved social gatherings. In retirement, he traveled thousands of miles across the United States on motorcycles, old cars and on boats.

Tom also enjoyed traveling with his brother Donald David Getz. He had an unwavering passion for history and foreign cultures, and together, they explored Egypt, Peru, the Panama Canal, Europe, Turkey, and Canada.

Tom is survived by his brother Donald David Getz (Alison Block-Getz), son Marshall Curtis Getz (Lisa), grandson Jackson Cole Martin, and unborn grandson Oliver Thomas Getz, two nephews David Getz (Emily), Travis Getz (Christy), and niece Kira Wolfe (Jon) and additionally, many great-nieces, nephews, and a host of friends whom he loved. His family would also like to acknowledge his former wives Jody and Kimberly, with whom he maintained friendships and adoration for.

His last words to his beloved son were "I love you, and everybody.”

Since we cannot gather for a memorial at this time, a celebration of Thomas's life will be held at a later date. In the meantime, and in lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory may be made to Lower Cape Fear Life Care. 1414 Physicians Dr. Wilmington NC 28401 www.lifecare.org

Please share online memories and condolences with the family at www.wilmingtoncares.com and www.coblegreenlawn.com.