Obituary of Albert C. Toma

Albert C. Toma died on February 18, 2017 at St. Francis Hospital— the hospital he so treasured, surrounded by the friends and volunteers he deeply respected. After suffering from some minor medical episodes, he was recently diagnosed with a temporary vocal cord paralysis, which we believed was beginning to clear up. He recently visited three of his doctors and received a clean bill of health from each one. On the day of his passing, he was scheduled to play a robust game of bridge with friends. He died later that afternoon peacefully with his daughter Gwen by his side. Carpe Diem! Passionate about living every day to its’ fullest potential, my father was a man of conviction, a man of courage— the bravest man I have ever known. My father truly loved people. He always enjoyed good conversation and never shied away from controversial issues. He valued education and he honored charity and volunteerism with spirited generosity. He held Many things in high esteem—women in particular, the United States Constitution, and the principles of democracy. My dad was committed to working hard and playing harder. He enjoyed spending time with the people he loved in the places he truly treasured. A native New Yorker, he loved Manhattan and the North Shore and the East End of Long Island. His passions were horses, tennis, playing bridge, the country, the beach and traveling. He had a clear vision for a lifestyle he wanted to live and to share and make memories with his family. He strived to do just that. He was there to hold my hand in the best of times as well as in the most challenging times. Lucky to be his daughter, I had the privilege to get to know and understand this unique man not only as a Dad, but as a friend. There wasn’t a moment or a time when he spoke to me without telling me that he loved me. In times of crisis, my Dad represented strength in a stormy sea. He was just the man you wanted by your side. And yet, he was a sensitive, highly emotional man that would tear up whenever he heard the Pledge of Allegiance. My father loved fashion and dressing up. He always had great style. He was creative and passionate. He was discerning in taste and critical of distaste. He appreciated the cool factor in everything well done. Whether it was a well orchestrated dinner party or a perfectly crafted martini, he always sought out the very best. He loved his girls deeply, waking us up every morning with breakfast perfectly set on the table and packed our school lunches, so our mother could sleep in. Weekends began with him preparing a great breakfast followed by a game of tennis and always ended with a cocktail hour. My Dad loved to be both host and guest of a party. My Dad was the man who tied my painting canvases to the roof of the car so I could paint scenes of the ocean at Ditch Plains while he sat and read the paper in silence, only to have to lug those wet canvas back home over and over again. Albert Toma was a complex man, a man of many layers. For those who knew him well, he was colorful, challenging—a man of many contradictions. You had to really know my father to truly understand him. My father was a product of the Depression. He could tell stories of the day the banks closed leaving the people in despair on the streets. He never forgot how his mother and father would only feed themselves after they fed their family and their neighbors. Yet he was committed to celebrating life to its’ fullest with his family throughout our lives. My father always said that he didn’t want the pomp and circumstances of a military funeral; he just wanted to be buried alongside his wife at Calverton Military Cemetery. My father was the epitome of a loyal and devoted husband who adored, respected and cherished my mother. Their life together set the bar for what a soulful, enriching marriage could be and what a stylish life looked like. Upon the death of my mother, our family never fully recovered. Life was never the same. But one extraordinary day, a truly remarkable woman came into his life, Rose Repke. She truly was my father’s partner. Together they shared a zest for all things and celebrated life. Rose seamlessly became my son’s grandmother, his RoRo and a treasured member of our family. For almost two decades, Rose and my father have been playing bridge, hosting and socializing together, volunteering at St. Francis, and enjoying friends and family while looking after each other. I had the opportunity to experience and witness some of their personal moments, a window into a very private and loving relationship. My father deeply loved and sacrificed for his children, but his love for his grandson Cody was unparalleled. He was a proud, gentle and encouraging grandfather who took great pleasure in spending time with Cody on the playground and teaching and playing bridge together. You may wonder what memorable outfit Al Toma may wear for this event? What wild tie would adorn his neck? What symbol embroidered on his brightly colored pants? Would it be a tennis racket, a whale? Would it be an elegant suit? We struggled what to select. Since we want you to remember him in the essence of his spirit, we have selected a tuxedo with one of his favorite plaid cummerbunds and bow ties—just like he would want. “You Know” I Love You Dad…See You Later and Don’t Stop Holding My Hand! I was fortunate to be by his side when he took his last breath. We already miss my father. We will remember him always for his courage and fortitude; his love for family and country, and his inherent Christian, philanthropic outlook every day, He was an awarded Tank Commander in WWII; a devoted father, grandfather, husband and friend. Husband to Diane for 39 years Father of Two Daughters, Gail and Gwen Grandfather of Cody Loyal Friend and Partner to Rose Repke Former Pharmaceutical Marketing - Sales Professional Avid Volunteer at St. Francis Hospital; VFW; VA Medical Center