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06/25/2013 12:00 PMThomas MOntgomery Ginz died on Monday, June 17 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. He is survived by his wife and two sons. He was the son of John Montgomery Ginz and Flora Pelton Ginz of Cheshire and was predeceased by his parents and his brother, John Pelton Ginz. A graduate of Cheshire Academy and Norwich University, he attended The George Washington University Graduate School of Business. Tom married his kindergarten sweetheart, Norma Schlink Ginz, on August 29, 1964. Together they had two devoted sons, Thomas M. Ginz II and Peter M. Ginz. Tom adored his two “daughters” Jennifer S. Ginz and Melissa B. Ginz and had unending love for his four grandchildren Thomas M. “Oscar” Ginz III, Anneka Palmer Ginz, Henry Malcolm Ginz and Hayden Montgomery Ginz. Tom was also the son-in-law of Norman and Jane Schlink whom he loved as his own parents.
He earned his Army commission from Norwich University and served in Vietnam War from 1968-69. He was awarded a Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Army Commendation Medal with V-Device for Valor, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device and Combat Infantryman Badge among other commendations for heroism. He was a warrior who was not afraid to take charge and be a leader in battle.
For 41 years, Tom was the second generation owner of Seal-Tite Products Inc. in Milford, CT; a business which is now in the third generation under the leadership of his son. He served 12 years on the Guilford Free Library Board and was twice Board President. In 2001, Tom co-chaired the Library Building Committee for an additional 7 years. A past Commodore of the Sachem’s Head Yacht Club, Tom served over 30 years as President of the Sachem’s Head Yacht Club Corporation and was Harbormaster of Sachem’s Head Yacht Club from 1982-1988.
Tom’s focus was always on his family, serving as scoutmaster for his boys and later teaching them to sail and ski and making sure they knew the importance of being honorable and serving others. Tom loved all things to do with being on the water and messing in boats. He moved his family to Guilford in 1980 so that his children could grow up on the water. He was a member of Sachem’s Head Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Guilford Yacht Club, and The Off Soundings Club; realizing his dream of sailing the Newport-Bermuda Race 1994 with his son. Most of all, he loved cruising with his children and later, his grandchildren. Tom also had a passion for skiing, which started in New Hampshire in 1982, after which he spent twenty years at Okemo Mountain with his children and grandchildren teaching them all to ski. Tom was a “kid at heart” who could never pass up a water slide or a roller coaster. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and doing whatever they were doing. He believed in service to country and community but nothing was more important to him than his love of family. He believed in going to the ends of the earth to make things right.
He was a proud patriot, an honorable man, ever a gentleman and a true friend, whose word was his bond. With great sincerity, he never failed to have time for those in need. Tom loved all who loved him, and some that didn’t. His love and concern for the wellbeing of children was ever present throughout his life and he took great joy at Christmas in playing Santa Claus or quietly filling a shopping cart full of gifts for children who might not otherwise have any.
Memorial Services will be held Friday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Friends may call prior to the services at Guilford Funeral Home on Friday from 3 to 5:30 p.m.. Burial service with Full Military Honors will be held privately in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. The family is establishing a fund in Tom’s memory to help serve the needs of children. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Guilford Foundation, P.O. Box 35, Guilford, CT 06437 for The Thomas M. Ginz Fund to Support the Needs of Children in the Guilford Community or to a charity of one’s choosing.