GROOT, THOMAS ALBERTUS June 02, 1941 - December 23, 2013 Passed away suddenly at home on Monday, December 23, 2013, surrounded by family. He is survived by his loving family: wife Eileen, children Jackie (Kevin) Bourchier, Nicole (Neil) Ryan, and Tom (Kerry) Groot, grandchildren: Austin, Simon, Jacob, Josh, Jessica and Jaime; brothers Simon (Thecla), John (Helen), and Jack; sisters Willie, Ina (Louie), Ada, and Helen; and many more extended family, nieces and nephews. Tom was predeceased by his brother, Gerry Groot, sisters: Alice Tieman, Anne Grypma, and parents Jacobus and Clasina Groot. Tom emigrated from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Calgary, Alberta in 1957 at the age of 16 with his parents, Jacobus and Clasina. Tom and Eileen were married in 1966 and moved to Penticton with their young family in 1980 where he managed the IGA meat department for more than 25 years. In his younger years he was active in the Knights of Columbus. He loved his summers on the beach, soccer and tennis, and was always the life of the party. He was an artist, had a great sense of humor and loved to garden. He was a dedicated, loving, loyal, and hardworking husband, father, and Opa. He will be dearly missed. A funeral service will be held at St. John Vianney Church, in Penticton, on Monday, December 30, 2013 at 11:00am, reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimers Society of BC. Condolences can be sent to the family by visiting www.everdenrust.com