Tom Edward Boyd of Millbury, Ohio passed away on September 26, 2012, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on May 13, 1928 in Delta, Ohio to Melvin Lawrence Boyd and Dorothy (née Conklin) Boyd Singer, and was one of three boys. He leaves many beautiful memories to his children, grandchildren, brother, and friends.
om graduated from the Macomber High School Trade Program in 1946, where he excelled in Auto Mechanics. He was, at the age of 18, employed by the former New York Central Railroad retiring from Conrail after 43 years of service. His fellow workers affectionately dubbed him "Spider,' because he was, "tall and skinny, just like a daddy long leg." His time on the railroad led to close relationships with his co-workers, who he continued to meet for monthly lunches at Bay Shore Supper Club, as well as to close relationships with the hobos of the time, who he helped "ride the rails." He regularly visited and corresponded with Steamtrain Maury Graham and Gypsy Moon Schmidt, the king and queen of the hobos, who eventually declared Tom an Honorary Hobo, and officiated his hobo name as 'œSpider."
Tom was a talented man of many interests and hobbies. A short list of what he took up included, at one time or another, stock car racing at Fort Maimi Speedway now known as LCRC, re-building cars, riding motorcycles, playing guitar and harmonica, flying airplanes, mushroom hunting, metal detecting, Super Nintendo, computers, camping out of his RV with his wife Imogene, wood carving, and above all else, enjoying time with his loved ones.
Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Imogene Jewel, parents, Melvin and Dorothy, and brother, David. He is survived by his brother, Donald, children, Patrick J. (Lilly) Boyd, Patricia Jane (Dale) Homer, Tanya Lou (Jeffrey) Barker, and Debra Lee (Tom) Kwiatkowski; Stepchildren, Nancy (Ken) Blecke, and Mick (Dora) Rettig; his grandchildren, Michael and Thomas, Brian and Tracy, Gene, David and Erin, and Kristi and Joseph, and eight great-great children, as well as his faithful companion, Yorkie Hemi.
Visitation will take place at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Millbury Chapel, 1111 Woodville Road, Millbury, Ohio on Monday, October 1, 2012 from 2pm -6 pm with a memorial service at 6:00 pm.
The family would like to thank the staff at Mercy St. Charles and Hospice of Northwest Ohio for their compassion and care of Tom and his family. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions to the Cancer Center at Mercy/St. Charles Hospital.