Tomasz (Tom) Antoni Modro
T O M A S Z ( T O M ) A N T O N I M O D R O
Tom passed away at Algonquin Grace Hospice, Huntsville, on April 5th, 2023, in his 88th year. Beloved husband of Agnieszka (Agnes) for 62 years. ( Agnes currently resides at Victoria Village, Barrie, Ontario )
He will be remembered with fondness by his family in Poland and life long friends and colleagues near and afar.
Tom and Agnieszka were born in Poland and both held positions at the University of Gdansk in organic chemistry. In 1973 they came to the University of Toronto, Department of Chemistry, on sabbatical. Before the completion of their leave they were summoned back to Poland at the time of a Communist crackdown and they then made the difficult decision to defect abandoning their families, friends, apartment and possessions in Poland. They continued in the Department of Chemistry lecturing and doing research until they moved to South Africa where they held positions at the University of Cape Town and then the University of Pretoria. They travelled extensively with a combination of conferences and vacations visiting all the continents of the world. His outstanding academic achievement at the University of Pretoria was to graduate the first ethnic PHD organic chemistry student in South Africa.
He enjoyed a taste of gourmet food and wine introducing his pallet to a variety of International cuisines. Tom knew his wine and was very particular about correct pairings. He loved to play tennis and followed the tennis circuit closely. His top game was chess and mastered it, always ready to challenge his next opponent.
Tom retired in Huntsville, Ontario Canada with his wife Agnes 23 years ago. Avid outdoor enthusiast, taking on cross country skiing, snow shoeing, trail walking and broadening his interest in nature, studying the fauna and flora, animal habitat, when frequenting most of the National Provincial Parks across Canada and the USA.
In the valley where they resided he was frequently sited enjoying daily walks during all four seasons. The neighbourhood dogs and children alike were greeted by name and the children’s studies and extra mural activities quizzed.
Both Tom and Agnes had a major interest in art, music and movies. Collectors of a variety, from classics to contemporary. Frequenting the music concert circuit in Toronto regularly.
Tom followed world affairs by reading the Economist, Time and Forbes magazines. He collected and curated an extensive library of books covering a wide spectrum of topic’s. He even wrote a book in Polish chronicling his life and academic achievements, which was enthursiatically received in academic circles in Poland. Tom also penned many a romantic poem to Agnieszka.
Another big part of retirement years was the garden. Spring and Summer spent many an hour tending to their garden being outside with the birds and bees is what he loved most.
Sadly the last few years he experienced a life shock which he called ‘Russian roulette” The love of his life Agnieszka was diagnosed with advanced alzheimer’s and now currently resides at Victoria Village, Barrie. This by far was the most difficult time for Tom, he courageously continued to take care of the home front as well as make the lengthy trips to visit with her. Desperately trying to understand this terrible disease that had robbed him of life love.
Tom will be greatly missed.
We will be forever grateful to the personnell who worked with Tom at the Huntsville Hospital, and the Muskoka Landing long term care - Home Area Two teams dedication. Also Huntsville Hospice for their unwavering compassion.
In keeping with Tom’s wishes, cremation has taken place. If desired, as an expression of sympathy memorial donations can be made to the Huntsville Hospice hospicehuntsville.ca