September 1, 1964 - May 29, 2025
In loving memory ~
Tom passed away at the Vic Gen Hospital on May 29 after battling pneumonia. Tommy was known for his kind and generous nature and his unique ability make one smile or laugh in almost any situation. Tommy was born in Calgary, Alberta, to parents Collis and Marie Peebles. He was the youngest of six and was born with Down Syndrome. In 1978, Tommy and his parents and big brother James, moved to Victoria where Tommy attended Victor School and then St. Vincent dePaul day program. After his parents died, Tommy moved to Abbotsford where he lived with his sister, Gloria and her young family of three daughters, Jennifer, Shauna and Kathleen Scharf. Tommy fit right in with the busy family and thrived.
Tommy loved to go bowling & swimming and was very proud of his participation in Special Olympics. He enjoyed spending hours upon hours with pencils carefully printing letters and words. To finance the purchase of pencils, Tommy would often go to extremes on his own; one example being that he would pour out new cans of beer in order to get the deposit on the empties, much to the chagrin of the people hoping to drink the beer. Tommy was a lifetime country music fan and loved listening, collecting and recording from tapes & CD's and give copies away to friends & family as gifts. He would buy The Country Music Magazine, where he would print copies of articles about his favourite stars, such as Randy Travis, Tim McGraw & Alan Jackson. Tommy could be very stubborn and would not get into a car if he didn't get to ride shotgun, wearing his cowboy hat and boots and listening to country music. Anyone who changed the music station on the radio or the CMT TV music channel might receive a Three Stooges "BOP on the HEAD". (Tom's favourite TV Show). "It's a good trick," Tom would say, with a laugh. Tommy loved dogs with a passion and there didn't seem to be a dog who didn't trust and love Tom in return. Tommy's favourite days of the year were Christmas and his birthday and he wouldn't sleep for days before these celebrations.
In 2010, Tommy moved back to Vancouver Island to live with his sister Phyllis (Ray,) at their home in Shawnigan Lake & at the Cove in Mill Bay. During these years, Tommy would attend a day program in Cobble Hill where he continued to enjoy outings, bowling, and arts/crafts. The family would like very much to thank CLBC for making this possible.
Tommy's parents had wished that he would always stay with family and his siblings are so grateful for making this possible by providing the additional help and support from VIHA whereby caregivers came into the home several times daily to help Tom during his final years. A big thank you also to Fred Mace and Jennifer Scharf when more respite time was needed.
Thomas was predeceased by his loving parents, and his brother, James. He is survived by his siblings Sylvia St. Louis (Gerry), Phyllis Thurlow (Ray), Gloria Peebles, and Don Peebles (Sandra), close cousins Gwen & Ron Benty, Carrie & Don Arscott, Les Scharf, as well as many other cousins, nieces, & nephews. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to BC Connected/CLBC, VIHA Home Care, Dr. Reynolds, as well as the many kind nurses, doctors and staff at VGH for the amazing care given to Tommy and all the family during his final days with us. Tommy will be greatly missed for his sense of humour, his gentle nature and his ability to enjoy each day as it comes. He was easy to love! In remembrance of Tommy, continue to love music, art, sports & animals and best of all enjoy each day with gratitude just as it comes.