Born Feb 15,1942 in Victoria BC. Predeceased by his brother Bob Bligh, Father Stanley Bligh, Mother Adele Bell.
Tom moved to Sooke in 1951, settling into Sassenos, first at Munns Mill and then later across from parklands road at the mouth of Lannon Creek. Entering the work force at 14, Tom spent the next 42 years working In the forestry Industry, first in the bush, and the last 37 years in the Sooke Forest Products/Lamford Forest Products Mill on Goodridge Island in Sooke.
As a young man he played for legendary Sooke softball coach Finn Kennedy. Then spent the next 21 years coaching Sooke soccer and Sooke fastball teams. As well as an umpire in fastball.
He was a member of the South Island Rangers and was an avid trap shooter.
He belonged to the Victoria dart association for over 25 years.
Later in life he joined the Victoria Horseshoe Club and helped establish the new Sooke Horseshoe Club and the construction of the pitches.
An avid gardener of food and flowers Tom was also a member of the Sooke garden club.The last 5 years he also sat on the board of directors at Ayre Manor. Tom fell in love with the ocean and the woods as a young boy. With a father who was working 7 days a week, he was always quick to credit and thank the late Frank Planes for taking him under his wing and showing him how to hunt and fish the local areas.
Dad was a proud member of the Sooke fleet of commercial boats that once commercially fished the Sooke waters. The late Lynne Moore took him on his first hunting trip at 18 yrs old, and he never stopped going away in the fall, right up until last year.
Dad loved the community spirit that exists in Sooke.
Tom leaves behind; his loving wife, partner and best friend of 48 years Faye Bligh. Sons Jeff, Darren and Trevor. Daughters Sandra and Lois. Sister Irene Young, brother Don Utley, 19 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 7 nieces and nephews and all the kids he coached over the years.
A celebration of life will take place Saturday, May 12 at 1 pm at The Sooke Community Hall.
In lieu of flowers the family encourages donations to The Sooke Horseshoe Club, 5204A Sooke Rd, Sooke BC, V9Z 1J6.