Just like the bright shooting star that appeared above his house after his death on Sunday July 31st, Tom's life was resplendent in love and friendship built on a multifaceted core of interests, hobbies and work.
Life was an adventure for Tom who was known to his Finnish friends as "Tomppa". Tomppa's journey began in his birthplace in Sippola, Finland as a son to Gunnel and Arto Uusnäkki, who raised him in Lahti during his formative years. He met his wife of 34 years, Anne Uusnäkki at the local disco Nissen Grilli. After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree at Kotka Technical College he was hired by Valmet Automation and sent to Kitimat B.C., Canada as a project manager. His job later took him to the Seattle area, where he ended up permanently settling. Eventually, Tom ended up working for Microsoft for nearly a decade, where he met many of his dearest friends. At one point, both Tom and his son Mika worked for Microsoft at the same time. Later, he yearned to try new things and worked for some smaller start-up companies until he was diagnosed with cancer.
The news came in December 2007, just months after his son had moved to Canada for work. The diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer came as a shock to everyone as Tom was always healthy and fit. Together with his wife Anne, they began an intense study of the subject. His doctors were constantly amazed at the depth of his knowledge. He researched every option with diligence and thoroughness. When standard therapies were exhausted, he participated in multiple medical trials. Despite three and a half years of dedicated effort, the cancer finally won.
Tomppa was known for his positive outlook, love of life and his generosity as a friend. Tom and Anne were unanimously known as a friendly, likable and fun loving couple and were thus surrounded by a large circle of friends. Through the years, their deep love for each other was witnessed by everyone. Tom and Anne hosted numerous great parties at their Sammamish home, which were often topped off with a combination of sauna and karaoke. Tom was known for his great cooking skills - his seared tuna and juicy steaks were famous amongst his friends. His love of wine drove him to become an amateur winemaker with his friends. The Wine Group's establishment in 1993 marked the beginning of lasting friendships and an international collaboration that continues today. Tomppa was also an avid traveler, hiker, bicyclist and archer. One of his greatest achievements was the summit of Mt. Rainier on July 21st, 1999. Tom and Anne traveled around the world eating, winetasting and hiking and were especially fond of France and Argentina. Tom kept himself entertained with cars, boats and tinkering with computers with his son. He was also a keen movie buff, always happy to play quoting games. After his 50th birthday he revived his youthful interest in playing the guitar and took up the study of nano technology, artificial intelligence and neuroscience.
Anne was devoted to taking care of Tomppa at their home until the very end. His dignity and comfort were her highest priority at all times. Both Anne and Mika held Tom's hands when he peacefully took his final breath.
Tom is missed by an extraordinary large group of friends and survived by his wife Anne, son Mika, his mother Gunnel, his sisters Anne, Jaana and Martine, and his brother Jari.
Hi Anne,,
I take part of your sorrow.
I hope you take contact to me.
Met Tom when he came to work at Consera. He was an easy person to talk to and interested in a myriad of subjects. We continued our coffee rendezvous even after we both stopped working at HP. I will miss him and my condolences to his family.
I enjoyed working with Tom at Consera and HP. He was a good colleague and friend.
My deepest condolences to his family.
Our lives are like the helixes that make up the very core of our beings - we connect, we drift away, we connect again - I am glad to have known you and worked with you - and will miss the fact that we will not cross paths again.
Mickey (and Erica)
Joe Lewis, Mohammad Ali, Frazier were Fighters, but none could compare to the Fighter Tom was in the battle of life.
Bravery are done by Brave people in the midst of the conflict and I have known Brave man, Tom stands above them all in the way he STOOD his ground in the midst of the fight, but courage is what makes the difference here. It is courage is what it takes to step in the direction of danger, knowing full well that the outcome may not be favorable. Ernest Shackleton knew this when he pushed off to the Pole, Sir Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay knew this when they stepped on to the ridge on Everest, it was courage that made them go forward, Tom stands above them all in the field courage., he knew he might not win, but yet he went.
He was knocked down 7 times and stood up 8. He was knocked down another 7 times and yet again he stood up 8 times. It took courage to keep standing up.
It is in this fight of Tom's that we will all find the courage to stand in our lives.
I did not know Tom all that well, but I knew him the best. It was the kindred spirit of laughter, friendship and the brotherhood of the snow that I knew Tom. Tom was a son of the snow and the mountains and friend of Ullr. Tom you are a great warrior of great strength and courage.
Let me know how the skiing is up there.
Bill Brosseau
We knew Tom for only a short period of time since we recently became members of the wine-making group. We were delighted that he remained engaged in the wine production up to the the very end. His kind spirit and courage were inspirational. Tom, rest in peace.
Tom has touched so many lives, helped multitudes of people with his gentle, caring spirit. He poscessed a quiet, delightful sense of humor. His talents were many. I will always miss him. Peace to you, Tom. You were one of a kind, looking forward to seeing you again someday.
Our warmest thoughts are with Tom's family as we all search the sky for the newest bright star.
My heart is reaching out to you for what your are going through.
I am thinking of you often and praying for you.
If there is something that I can do
Anything at all.
Think of me thinking of you and do not hesitate to call.
Sending hugs and love to you and your family.
June
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