Thomas W. Force, 66, of Victor, an innovative technologist, accomplished guitarist, and outdoor sports enthusiast, died November 20 after a five-year struggle with leukemia.
As a kid Tom would dismantle radios to see how they worked. That curiosity and love of technology guided him throughout his life at work and at home.
He worked for almost two decades at Xerox in information management. George Rawcliffe, a friend and Xerox colleague, was dazzled at Tom’s technological knowledge and creativity. He said Tom found solutions to several technological problems that his Xerox and Microsoft colleagues thought were insoluble.
“He was one of those guys who inspired people,” Rawcliffe said. “He inspired you to think outside the box.”
Tom brought his technological acumen inside his home, which was always wired with the latest audio and smart home technology.
Tom loved to play guitar. The walls of his music room are lined with his many instruments, from a 12-string Martin guitar to a ukelele. He would play at area open mic nights, his church, or hanging out with friends.
Tom was raised in an active family, spending summers sailing, water skiing and swimming by a Pocono lake at his grandmother’s vacation home. He was an alpine skier in the winter and wakeboarder and cyclist in the summer. When the summer weather was good, he could often be found with his family on his boat on the Finger Lakes or Lake Ontario.
Like his father, with whom he regularly attended the Pocono 500 in his youth, Tom loved cars, a Maserati for speed, Mercedes AMG for technology (and maybe speed too), but his Italian love affair was with a classic Alpha Romeo convertible.
He was an active member and elder at Perinton Presbyterian Church. During services Tom was usually in the back of the sanctuary running the church’s computerized AV system, even as he was receiving treatment for leukemia.
Tom as born in Philadelphia, Penn. on June 27,1958 to Dr. Thomas and Floramae Force, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Kathy; a son Andrew (Ashley) Force; a daughter, Victoria (Riley) Page; and a sister, Debra (Phil) Canuto.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Perinton Presbyterian Church or the Wilmont Cancer Institute.
Services will be held Saturday, December 21st, 11:00am at Perinton Presbyterian Church 6511 Pittsford-Palmyra Road Fairport NY 14564
Comments
3 responses to “Force, Thomas W.”
I had the privilege of knowing Tom as a friend and fellow church member. We attended the Men’s Breakfast Club every Thursday at Durf’s in Fairport. He was a fascinating individual who added his significant knowledge and wisdom to every conversation. Tom was truly a gift from God and now God has called him home. I believe that when Tom passed, Jesus the fisherman of men ran up to God and said, “Father, I was out fishing and you won’t believe the man I caught today.”
I only knew Tom as a member of Perinton Presbyterian Church. His grit & determination to overcome all he had to deal with regarding his major health issues was an inspiration to all who knew him. We learned the value of “praying without ceasing” as we witnessed time after time one miracle after another as God answered our petitions for healing. We witnessed God’s grace through the love & strength He gave Kathy to minister to Tom &
then a few of us were able to share in Tom’s final journey as he slowly made his way to his heavenly home. I am grateful for the lessons learned through Tom & Kathy’s faithfulness, not only to each other but to The God who has called us to be His.
I only knew Tom as a member of Perinton Presbyterian Church. His grit & determination to overcome all he had to deal with regarding his major health issues was an inspiration to all who knew him. We learned the value of “praying without ceasing” as we witnessed time after time one miracle after another as God answered our petitions for healing. We witnessed God’s grace through the love & strength He gave Kathy to minister to Tom &
then a few of us were able to share in Tom’s final journey as he slowly made his way to his heavenly home. I am grateful for the lessons learned through Tom & Kathy’s faithfulness, not only to each other but to The God who has called us to be His.