santa
Member
Posts: 866
Santa Tom
Ardmore, Alabama
|
 |
« on: March 02, 2017, 03:29:23 PM » |
|
I am sorry to report that Tom Girardi (Santa Tom), my father, has passed away early this Morning, Thursday, March 2, 2017. Tom was diagnosed with prostate cancer a little over a year ago. At the time he was diagnosed, the cancer was at stage 4 and had metastasized in the bones. A few months later, he was also diagnosed with Kidney cancer. They immediately removed the infected kidney and he began chemo treatments. Following the chemo treatments, we discovered the cancer had not grown, however it had not shrunk either. Dad was beginning to feel better and that's when he joined the riders on his last adventure to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Shortly after Christmas we discovered a small mass on his pancreas, they decided to monitor it, within a month he had grown and 30 days later we found his pancreas was completely consumed with cancer and it had spread to the liver. My father fought long and hard to beat this horrible cancer, but finally found true peace early Thursday morning. My dad leaves behind a loving wife, Carol, of 48 years, 3 married daughters and 9 grandchildren. He was loved by all, whether they knew him as Dad, Tom, or Santa and showed his amazing love for life with everything he did.
He thoroughly enjoyed every ride he joined and the good friends he met along the way. Dad wanted to thank the entire Valkyrie Riders Club for all the great times, BBQ dinners in Texas and the camaraderie and brotherhood he truly cherished.
The visitation for Tom Girardi will be Saturday, March 4, at Berryhill Funeral Home - 2305 North Memorial Pkwy, Huntsville, AL 35810
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Oss
Member
Posts: 12764
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
|
|
« Reply #1 on: March 02, 2017, 03:36:31 PM » |
|
Please accept our prayers and condolences
Santa will be missed.
Oss
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
|
|
|
|
Jess from VA
|
|
« Reply #2 on: March 02, 2017, 03:38:47 PM » |
|
Man I am very sorry to hear this.
I shared a room with Tom on two Valk rallies in the last few years, and he was a good friend to me.
He will be missed.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
solo1
|
|
« Reply #3 on: March 02, 2017, 03:44:23 PM » |
|
I'm so sorry to hear that. I met him for the first time at Inzane in Michigan, he was a great person.
Prayers for the family and my condolences.
Wayne, Solo1
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Bighead
|
|
« Reply #4 on: March 02, 2017, 03:45:16 PM » |
|
I shared a room with Tom a few times and just met him last year  even though we only lived about 20 miles apart The only time I saw him was on Rides. The last time I spoke with him was on the vetrans day ride. He always spoke highly of his family. He will be missed. Sorry for the families loss he was a good man. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
1997 Bumble Bee
1999 Interstate (sold)
2016 Wing
|
|
|
Patrick
Member
Posts: 15433
VRCC 4474
Largo Florida
|
|
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2017, 03:53:01 PM » |
|
I'm sorry to hear this.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Misfit
|
|
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2017, 04:00:12 PM » |
|
Tom was a Google dude. He will be missed. RIP Santa. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
If you're lucky enough to ride a Valkyrie, you're lucky enough.  |
|
|
|
dreamaker
|
|
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2017, 04:19:20 PM » |
|
I am truly Sorry for you loss!! he is in a better place, his pain is over now!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
old2soon
|
|
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2017, 04:34:21 PM » |
|
R I P Santa.  Gonna miss ya Bro. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
|
|
|
|
hal47
|
|
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2017, 04:39:27 PM » |
|
Tom will be missed by all that new him, so sorry to here this.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Serk
|
|
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2017, 04:44:18 PM » |
|
Thank you for updating us, even with the sad news. He will be missed... The world lost a good one today...  |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: March 02, 2017, 05:23:59 PM by Serk »
|
Logged
|
Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
|
|
|
The emperor has no clothes
|
|
« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2017, 04:54:14 PM » |
|
Sadly, I never got a chance to meet him. But I don't think I ever read a bad post from him. Seemed like a real good dude. Thank you for informing us . I'm sure it wasn't easy .
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Chrisj CMA
|
|
« Reply #12 on: March 02, 2017, 04:55:59 PM » |
|
Very sad to hear of your dad's struggle. Its a tough thing but at least the fight is over. Prayers for your family.
|
|
|
|
« Last Edit: March 02, 2017, 05:58:03 PM by Chrisj CMA »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16799
upstate
South Carolina
|
|
« Reply #13 on: March 02, 2017, 04:57:57 PM » |
|
I've ridden with Santa numerous times over the last few years...
I always loved his helicopter stories...
I remember (I guess this was at InZane) he won the 50/50 and
turned it directly over to that year's charity...
-Mike
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
NewValker
Member
Posts: 1390
VRCC# 36356
Oxford, MA
|
|
« Reply #14 on: March 02, 2017, 05:16:39 PM » |
|
Sad to hear this, but he is in a better place.
I met Santa at IZ, we sat on a bench outside the hotel and discussed life for quite awhile.
A good man that I'm glad to have met.
Prayers for the family,
Craig
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Turns out not what or where, but who you ride with really matters  |
|
|
Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16765
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
|
|
« Reply #15 on: March 02, 2017, 05:19:15 PM » |
|
My heart hurts with this news. My thoughts are with Santa's family. He was a very good man. The world is a better place for his having been here and sorrier place for his departure.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
wiggydotcom
Member
Posts: 3387
Do Your Best and Miss the Rest!
Yorkville, Illinois
|
|
« Reply #16 on: March 02, 2017, 05:19:40 PM » |
|
So sorry to hear about your Dad. He will be missed in the VRCC community. May God rest his soul!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
VRCC #10177 VRCCDS #239  |
|
|
Gavin_Sons
Member
Posts: 7109
VRCC# 32796
columbus indiana
|
|
« Reply #17 on: March 02, 2017, 05:30:01 PM » |
|
Sorry for your loss. It is also a great loss to this Valkyrie community. Santa was one of my favorite people. A few years ago we sat at smokin joes fall color ride and talked for a couple hours around the fire pit. I habe a picture of him with my wife sittimg on his lap just so we could tell our boys we talked to Santa. He will be missed by all. I'll try to dig up that picture. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Gavin_Sons
Member
Posts: 7109
VRCC# 32796
columbus indiana
|
|
« Reply #18 on: March 02, 2017, 05:33:01 PM » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
LTD
|
|
« Reply #19 on: March 02, 2017, 05:34:37 PM » |
|
very sad news rest in peace brother
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Gavin_Sons
Member
Posts: 7109
VRCC# 32796
columbus indiana
|
|
« Reply #20 on: March 02, 2017, 05:36:06 PM » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
ptgb
|
|
« Reply #21 on: March 02, 2017, 05:58:24 PM » |
|
Spoke with Santa many times at various VRCC events. He never had a bad word to say about anyone or anything. He made everyone around him feel like a long-time friend and he will be missed. Santa and JoJo in Arkansas a few years ago...  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 Lower Lakes 1000 - 07/07 & 09/10 * Bun Burner GOLD - 09/10 Lake Superior 1000 - 07/11 * Lake Michigan 1000 - 09/11 * Lake Huron 1000 - 09/11 Saddlesore 2000 - 09/11 * Ohio 1000 - 07/13 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
gordonv
Member
Posts: 5766
VRCC # 31419
Richmond BC
|
|
« Reply #24 on: March 02, 2017, 06:36:40 PM » |
|
Condolences and prayers for your loss.
Best wishes to your family.
RIP Tom.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
1999 Black with custom paint IS   |
|
|
|
MITCHO
|
|
« Reply #25 on: March 02, 2017, 06:42:20 PM » |
|
Our deepest condolences are sent to Tom's family. Laura and I had the good fortune to meet Tom on our very first group ride, Smokin' Joe's ride over to Britman's ride. We have ridden many miles and met many more wonderful people since that ride but we have never met a finer man. He was a kind, caring gentleman and a lot of fun. He's probably up in Heaven being Santa to all of the children who didn't get to have enough visits to Santa on Earth. We are better for having known him and will truly miss him.
Rest in peace, Santa,
Mitch & Laura
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
jimmytee
|
|
« Reply #26 on: March 02, 2017, 07:04:51 PM » |
|
I'm so sorry to hear this. He was a good man. Enjoyed talking with him. My prayers and condolences for you and his family. He will be missed.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
"Go sell crazy somewhere else,we're all stocked up"
|
|
|
|
..
|
|
« Reply #27 on: March 02, 2017, 07:43:22 PM » |
|
Sad.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Wizzard
Member
Posts: 4043
Bald River Falls
Valparaiso IN
|
|
« Reply #28 on: March 02, 2017, 07:52:58 PM » |
|
My life was blessed having met him more than once. Great guy and will be missed. Prayers for the family.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 VRCC # 24157 |
|
|
|
Mike R
|
|
« Reply #29 on: March 02, 2017, 07:57:58 PM » |
|
Roomed with Tom a few years ago on the way to Ashville. He was one of the nicest people I've had the pleasure to meet. Santa was one of the Good Ones! I'm sorry for your loss but it must be comforting to know the lives your dad touched.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Mr Whiskey
|
|
« Reply #30 on: March 02, 2017, 08:01:57 PM » |
|
May God rest you & keep you.
Grateful to have known you.
Miss you already!
Whiskey & Sugar.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Peace, Whiskey.
|
|
|
|
Stanley Steamer
|
|
« Reply #31 on: March 02, 2017, 08:31:23 PM » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Stanley "Steamer" "Ride Hard or Stay Home" ![](http://weathersticker.wunderground.com/weathersticker/gizmotimetempbig/language/www/US/GA/Athens.gif" alt="Click for Athens, Georgia Forecast" border="0" height="40" width="467") |
|
|
fudgie
Member
Posts: 10626
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
|
|
« Reply #32 on: March 02, 2017, 09:00:40 PM » |
|
Such a great guy. 1st met him in Cheaha many moons ago. He will be missed. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
|
|
|
CajunRider
|
|
« Reply #33 on: March 02, 2017, 09:03:26 PM » |
|
Sorry to hear the bad news.  Prayers are being sent to you and your family. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Sent from my Apple IIe
|
|
|
|
old2soon
|
|
« Reply #34 on: March 02, 2017, 09:08:25 PM » |
|
Early bird Sunday Eureka Springs Ar. da prez brought Old Style beer and Santa da prez and I sat under the roof in the pavilion and swapped Nam stories. And cursed near every time we saw each other after that we'd welcome each other home. From the very first time I met him he made me feel like we'd known each other longer than was the case. Gonna miss breaking bread with him and tippin a cold one. Gonna miss sharin wind with him. Gonna miss ya Tom. Hurts more when It's a Brother you actually Knew!  I consider myself Very fortunate to count him amongst my Friends. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Today is the tommorow you worried about yesterday. If at first you don't succeed screw it-save it for nite check. 1964 1968 U S Navy. Two cruises off Nam.
VRCCDS0240 2012 GL1800 Gold Wing Motor Trike conversion
|
|
|
Reb
Member
Posts: 2366
Don't threaten me with a good time
Greeneville, TN
|
|
« Reply #35 on: March 03, 2017, 02:42:08 AM » |
|
I'll never forget seeing that white beard flapping in the wind. The best memory I have is after the Natchez Trace ride about 8 years ago or so, we all went to an Applebee's for a late lunch. As soon as we walked in the door, a young boy's eye's lit up as he gazed upon the real Santa during his off season. The way Tom could interact with Children was simply amazing. He didn't act the part, he was the true Santa! Rest easy my friend  |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: March 03, 2017, 05:18:04 AM by Reb »
|
Logged
|
2022 Honda Goldwing Tour DCT
1999 Honda Valkyrie IS
1997 Honda Valkyrie Standard *Supercharged*
1972 Honda CB350F
1978 Honda CB550K
1968 Honda CL175 Sloper
|
|
|
robin
Member
Posts: 2337
Get on it and RIDE!!
Hardwick NJ
|
|
« Reply #36 on: March 03, 2017, 03:53:27 AM » |
|
My condolences to your family,Tom (Santa) was a very special man and I enjoyed his company when ever we did meet on a ride he will be missed
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005
Member
Posts: 13846
American by Birth, Southern by the Grace of God.
Beautiful east Tennessee ( GOD'S Country )
|
|
« Reply #37 on: March 03, 2017, 04:51:05 AM » |
|
I'll miss Santa he was a good man I enjoyed hanging out and riding with him . I sent him this picture back at Christmas . A motorcycle website was using his image on the site .... I'll look through my pictures and post a few more here with Tom when he came on my rides.... Rest In Peace my friend.  |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: March 03, 2017, 04:53:43 AM by Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005 »
|
Logged
|
 I've seen alot of people that thought they were cool , but then again Lord I've seen alot of fools. |
|
|
Ice
Member
Posts: 1223
Whatever it is, it's better in the wind.
On a road less traveled.
|
|
« Reply #38 on: March 03, 2017, 04:56:08 AM » |
|
Words fail me right now, Tom was a friend and a great person to know. We have lost another one of the great ones, always fun to be with. Our deepest condolences to Santa's family.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
Reb
Member
Posts: 2366
Don't threaten me with a good time
Greeneville, TN
|
|
« Reply #39 on: March 03, 2017, 05:21:44 AM » |
|
I've ridden with Santa numerous times over the last few years...
I always loved his helicopter stories...
I remember (I guess this was at InZane) he won the 50/50 and
turned it directly over to that year's charity...
-Mike
That was the second Hillbilly Ride in Marion VA when the local food bank catered for us. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2022 Honda Goldwing Tour DCT
1999 Honda Valkyrie IS
1997 Honda Valkyrie Standard *Supercharged*
1972 Honda CB350F
1978 Honda CB550K
1968 Honda CL175 Sloper
|
|
|
|
