Our beloved club member for almost 46 years, Tom Funk, passed away suddenly on March 29th, 2026. See “Remembering Tom Funk” here. A large number of Rotarians attended his funeral at The Basilica on April 10th and formed an Honour Guard for Tom and his family. On May 22nd, our club held a memorial tribute to Tom at our club meeting.
Several club members and professional colleagues, past and present, shared their warm memories and deep respect for Tom along with personal stories. Tom's son Justin was present and also Justin's son Frederick.
Personal tributes came from Robin Lee Norris, Carolyn Weatherson, Sandra Lastovic, Wayne Pfeiffer (Tom's university colleague for 42 years), John Valeriote, Dennis Weiler, Michele Richardson, Mahmud Hassain, and Francesco Braga.
Justin Funk expressed his family's heartfelt appreciation for the outpouring of love they have received since Tom passed away. He mentioned that his mom, Jane, has now settled into the Chartwell Royal Retirement Community on Gordon Street and welcomes visitors.
Tom's good friend and neighbour, our club member Roger Garriock, gave the following tribute.
Memorial Tribute to Tom Funk
by Roger Garriock
at the Rotary Club of Guelph on May 22, 2026
Good afternoon everyone!
I first met Tom 9 years ago. My family and I had just moved to Guelph from Vancouver, spent the winter building a new house on Mary Street, finally moved in, and there was a knock on the door. It was Tom, who lived a few houses away, who stopped by to welcome us to the neighbourhood ... and it was -10C in February!
We got chatting about backgrounds and careers, and then Rotary came up, and he said it would be a great way for me to make new friends in a strange city ... and given my background in volunteerism, it would be a great fit. My career and travel schedule had never given me the opportunity to regularly attend meetings, so I had no excuses now that I was retired.
The following Friday, Tom picked me up, and at the ICC, spent the first half hour introducing me to everyone. And I mean everyone. No one was missed ... the classic sales person! When the meeting started, I found a chair to sit in near the front, and then suddenly, a voice from behind me said, "You are in my chair!" Unknowingly, I had sat in
Charlie Whittaker's usual chair where he had sat for more than 20+ years. Tom came to my rescue and the rest is history.
What I liked and admired about Tom was his genuine warmth, his intellect, his positive attitude, his love of family and faith, his work ethic (this Rotary history book being just one example of the hundreds of hours he invested in Rotary’s centennial project), and the kindness he showed to everyone.
Let me give you one example. Last week, the sewer line to our house got plugged. I called the plumber, and two young men arrived to fix the problem. Kevin, the lead plumber aged in his mid 20's, commented that he had done work in the area, and was so sad to hear about Dr. Funk's passing. When I asked how he knew the name, he said they had done some work at the Funk's home. Kevin said, “Dr. Funk was so nice, respectful, genuinely interested in my career choice as a plumber, and he once shared his views on how to succeed in life - advice I will never forget. One of the nicest men I have ever met. Oh yes, and he paid his bill on time!!!”
Tom was also blessed to have had such a successful career teaching at the University of Guelph. He was a natural and gifted teacher, able to combine theory with practical experience, loved, respected and admired by both his colleagues and his students, and leaving a legacy that will never be forgotten.
Tom also loved Rotary. He truly believed that you had to, and I quote, "Put back, not just take." The friends, the fellowship and learning from all the guest speakers were an important part of his life. He especially enjoyed the “Rewind” interviews he did with long time members. He dutifully researched their past, talked to them on the phone to get highlights and humorous anecdotes, and made the whole process professional, enlightening and entertaining. Tom was also a clothes horse ... he would have given Mr. Dressup a run for his money. He always wore a jacket to Rotary, even if it was 90 degrees out. His shoes would match his socks, would match his pants, would match his belt, would match his shirt and his jacket. If they perhaps fit you, Justin and Frederick, you have clothes for life!!!
Tom's other love was golf. I had the pleasure of playing with Tom weekly for more than 7 years...and he had some wonderful idiosyncracies. He always carried a second ball in his pocket, and if his drive went AWOL, in one smooth contiguous and orchestrated movement he would tee up the second ball and settle in for a new hit before anyone had even noticed. He used 'noodle' balls...they were cheap and he didn't mind losing them. Hole 11 at Cutten Fields where we played is a par 3 where you have to hit over a large pond, and Tom always changed balls for this. He had a special pocket in his golf bag filled with yellow range balls...like this one. He would tee one up. Had the second in his other pocket 'just in case' and would hit. Tom also never swore... except on 11. If the first yellow ball went in the drink, he would mutter a discrete "DAMN" ... and then play on.
Lastly, he had a unique putting process. Most people (as in 99%) line up the putter from the side. Not Tom. He would stand behind the ball, set his putter on the right trajectory, carefully move around the putter to hit and then strike the ball. Amazingly, he had perfected the process and was deadly on the greens.
In closing. Tom, you really will be missed. Every time I drive by your house I will remember you fondly. I have never met a finer man, a real gentleman and a close friend.
Fellow Rotarians, it would be a wonderful gesture to Tom's memory if the club made a donation to his U of G bursary as a small thank you for his many years of incredible service.
Finally, our thoughts and prayers to Jane, Justin and the entire family.
God bless.