Obituary of Thomas Frank Valet Sparks

Sparks, Thomas Frank Valet: A resident of Chatham , Tom Sparks passed away suddenly on Sunday, November 4, 2007 at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance at the age of 77. Born in Chatham, son of the late Clayton Sr. and Violet (Baxter) Sparks and step-son of Doris (Ryan) Sparks. Beloved partner of Ann Lamers. Predeceased by his wife Jean (Willder) Sparks (1977). Dear father of Clayt and Patty Sparks and their children Clayton, Shawn, Brent and Kalvin; Melody and Tom Anderson and their children Heather and Chad Badder, Brandon and Judy, Justin and Lindsay; April Doherty and her friend Charlie Andolsek and her children Ashley and Chris, and Trevor of Peterborough; Linda O’Phee and her friend Bruce Clark and her children Laura and Ryan Tellier, Lindsay and James; Kevin and Kara Sparks and their children Zakary, Jakob and Kyra of Stoney Point. Great Papa of Ethan Anderson, Piper Tellier and Malarie Badder. Extended family includes Annette and John Gillis and their children Elizabeth and Andrea of Brantford; Marianna and Jack Sherman and their children Ashlea, Taylor and Jacob of Mooretown; Marinus and Gail Lamers and their children Aaron and Meghan of London; Betty and Don Roberts and their children Christopher and Scott of Dresden; Trish and Ken Cheveldayoff and their children Carter and Paige of Saskatoon. Dear brother of Larry and Carole Sparks, Brian and Nancy Sparks and Janice and Don Buckingham, all of Chatham. Brother-in-law of Bill Willder of Blenheim and Bonnie Brockett of London. Predeceased by a son-in-law Mark Doherty (1999). He will be sadly missed by numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and friends. Tom was a hardworking man that dedicated his working life to a family run construction business from an early age. He was a lifetime member of the Chatham Minor Hockey Association. He was a family man first and was always willing to help his family and friends without being asked. Tom will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by all of those that had the honour of knowing and loving him. Family will receive friends at the McKinlay Funeral Home, 459 St. Clair Street, Chatham on Tuesday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. and again on Wednesday from 3:00-5:00 p.m. and 7:00-9:00 p.m. Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 8, 2007 from the Funeral Home with Pastor Pat Milliken of Sprucedale United Church officiating. Interment Maple Leaf Cemetery, Chatham. Donations to the Cancer Society appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.mckinlayfuneralhome.com. McKinlay Funeral Home, Chatham (519)351-2040