Thomas Henry Tinken

Thomas Henry Tinken (Tom) passed away at 75 years in Toronto, Sunday, Oct 29th 2023. At Toronto General Hospital, after a sudden battle with cancer. Beloved Husband of Margaret and Dearest Father of Melanie, Brother to Patrick and Michael, and Brother in Law to Penelope. Preceded in death by Marjorie, and Henry. Friends To Linda and David Harmsworth, and Debra Dixon Kerr. Cat Dad to Leo. Educated in Radio and Television Arts at Ryerson University, Tom worked in the early 1970’s as a camera operator at Wintario and a producer in the very early days of CityTV. Later in his 40’s he became self employed and was an owner operator of a record store called Eargasm in Eastend Toronto, until he moved his business primarily online. Tom was born in Chicago, and moved to Canada as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam war in the 1960s. Tom was a clever, charismatic and funny man, who was passionate about politics and art. He was an enthusiast of music and turned his hobby into his career. His music tastes were eclectic and varied. He was a lover of all Jazz, Blues, Country and Rock and Roll. Favourties include: The Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, Duke Ellington, and Elvis Costello. He was also an audiophile, cinemaphile and lover of detective fiction. He enjoyed watching films with Daughter Melanie, some favourites, include, anything by Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, Coen Brothers, and It’s a Wonderful Life. Tom was known to have a radio voice and a sense of humour that entertained family and friends. His energy was lively, and engaged. He was generous and fun and always up for a road trip, antiquing, travel or fancy dinner. In the last few years of his life he took care of his wife Margaret’s every need as she progressively developed  Lewy Boday Dementia. As her disease progressed so did his devotion, and love, as all of his attention to her care became the primary focus of his life. Thank you to the team at the Peter Munk Cardiac Centre at the Toronto General Hospital. There will be no funeral, we ask instead that you make an “In Memory” donation to the UHN Foundation in Thomas Tinken’s name. A memorial celebration will be held in early June of 2024.