Tom Gilfoy of La Cañada Flintridge passed away at home on Jan. 12 at the age of 90. Tom lived a long and fruitful life with the overarching themes of family and adventure. He was born in Los Angeles on Feb. 5, 1932, but lived his first few years in La Cañada. The Great Depression caused his parents, Harry and Adelaide, to move to a small river-rock home in Sunland in 1937. There, Tom, his brother Richard and sister Maryane had the classic adventures of childhood that Tom immortalized two years ago in a book “Growing Up In Sunland.”

In his late teens, Tom had adventures working as a lumberjack in the forests of northern California. Tom was then swept up in the Korean War where he became part of the occupation forces in Germany. Tom’s heart was swept away by a blonde named Dody, who he married. Now with a wife and growing family, Tom got serious about life’s directions and entered the intellectual adventure of law. He graduated from USC in 1960, working as a corporate lawyer for Edison for 33 years while raising a family.

It was on his retirement in 1991 that his adventures really took off. He and Dody shared some amazing adventures in his retirement years, such as backpacking in America’s mountain ranges, traveling Europe, whitewater rafting and long bike rides. Tom climbed Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro, the Swiss Alps, the South American Andes, and took a solo bike ride across the U.S.

But he had quiet adventures as well. Now living back in La Cañada adjacent to Descanso Gardens, Tom became heavily involved in the Gardens as a trustee and as a propagator of camelia plants. He turned his attention to providing adventures, both physical and intellectual, for his many grandchildren.

Tom Gilfoy was known to all as a warm and generous man. He had a full and satisfying life and was an inspiration to all. And he had the most beautiful blue eyes.

Tom is survived by his wife Dody Gilfoy; children Chuck Gilfoy (Becky), Steve Gilfoy (Marie), Susie Colbath (Russ); eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

A great tribute to Tom would be a donation to the Little Landers Historical Society in Sunland where a copy of his book of his childhood memories can be purchased.