It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Thomas (Tom) Jacob Payne at Long Term Care in Corner Brook on Sunday, March 7, 2021. He was born in Curling on Christmas Day, 1933.  He leaves to mourn his wife of 67 years Olive (Langer), 5 children: Maureen (Paul), Carolyn/Cog (Doug), Joanne (Fabe), Janice and Tom Jr. (Cathy); 5 grandchildren, Neil, Kelly, Allison, Adam and Sarah and 2 great-grandchildren William and Jacob. He is predeceased by his parents Effie and Jacob and sisters and in-laws Rosena/Nean (Patrick Jewett) and Vinie (Reginald Boland). Also predeceased by his in-laws, Lillian and Raymond Langer and members of the Langer Family: Austin Langer, Robert (Elizabeth) Langer, Edward Langer, Geraldine (William Payne), Dorothy (Leo Parsons). He is also predeceased by his nephews Maurice Boland, Robert Jewett and niece Columbine Healey.

Tom also leaves behind members of the Jewett and Boland families; Frederick Jewett, Judith (Kenneth Aucoin), Margaret (Joseph Pennell), Gertrude (Frosty Colson), Patricia Meade, Ronald (Theresa), Michael (Margaret), Neddy (Barbara). Members of the Langer family left behind are; Joan Langer, Linda Langer, John (Glenda)Langer, Gladys (Garfield Elliott) and Francis Walsh, as well as a large circle of nieces and nephews.

The most important thing to Tom was his family and he showed that every day with his unconditional love to his wife, children, grandchildren and his extended family. Tom had an extensive 40-year career with Bowater and Krueger Paper mills.  He worked very hard his whole life, beginning as an Electrical Apprentice at age 17 and eventually became Superintendent of the Electrical Department, before his retirement in 1992.

Tom loved hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, cutting wood, playing cards and his favourite place in the world was his cabin on Big Bonne Bay Pond where everybody was welcome for a feed, a drink and to listen to some music.

Tom lived the last 9 months at Corner Brook Long Term Care and the family is very appreciative of the compassion, empathy and respect shown daily by the staff of Natures Haven Unit, LTC. Those staff truly are our better angels.

Tom was a very kind and gentle soul and he will always be missed and loved by his family and everyone who knew him. Donations in his memory can be made to the Janeway Children's Health and Rehabilitation Centre or the Children's Wish Foundation. Due to covid restrictions, a private family service and burial will take place on Wednesday, March 10, 2021.

"Life is a song – sing it. Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it. Sai Baba, spiritual leader and philanthropist

Because there is no wake or public funeral, the family wanted to share some details about dad's life and personality,

A Tribute to Dad

Dad was born on December 25 ^th , 1933 in Curling and married our mom in 1954. Dad and mom raised the 5 of us in Curling. Dad had many passions in his life but none were as important as his family. He was a very patient and dedicated husband and father. He loved being a grandfather and great grandfather and he embraced all of those roles with love and respect. He did everything he could for all of us and he taught us the importance of spending quality time with our families and cherishing every day as a blessing.

One of dad's fondest places to be in the entire world was at his cabin on Big Bonne Bay Pond. He taught us to enjoy everything nature has to offer and for that, we are all eternally grateful. As children, we all remember his patience, as he and his father would untangle our fishing lines and how they both laughed, as we cried and argued about who had the largest trout! We have so many beautiful memories of fishing, swimming, biking, berry picking, snowmobiling and just enjoying the fact that we had a beautiful retreat because of his hard work and determination. And of course, there was the card playing at the cabin, particularly 120s. The only thing he enjoyed more than the game itself was driving Nan Langer and Mom clear out of their minds with the cheating and he was really good at it!

Dad was 17 years old when he applied for an Electrical Apprenticeship at Bowater's Paper Mill. In 1956 he achieved his certification in Electrical Apprenticeship and that was just the beginning of his long and successful career. In 1968 he became Electrical Foreman and in 1983 he was promoted to Assistant Electrical Superintendent. In 1985 he became Electrical Superintendent and he remained in that position until his retirement in 1992. He was very proud of his work career and he always spoke fondly of the many people he worked with and met during his 40 years at the Mill. He truly believed in the importance of hard work, lifelong learning, treating people with respect and those were the virtues that will forever describe his personality.

Dad's calmness and patience cannot be understated and there are so many memories of this, so I will share a few. We will never forget one Christmas Day, which again was dad's birthday, he spent hours on the floor assembling a train track for Tommy. The train was just chugging along as Tommy came running through the living room wearing his new skates and crashed right through the train track. Dad, without saying a word, got back on his hands and knees, fixed the broken parts and once again reassembled the train track. There was also the time when Maureen and Carolyn (Cog) wanted to help dad paint the cabin so he gave them both a paint brush to let them paint the back of the cabin. They had a different plan and decided to paint each other. I think this time all he could do was laugh. And then there was the time that Janice and I got a bit rambunctious and one of us broke the screen door. He picked the two of us up, sat us on the couch and said don't move until your mother gets home. He then cleaned up the glass. These are examples of just the kind of man and father he was.

Dad loved to hunt moose, caribou, rabbits and just about anything that could be consumed. He spoke very fondly about his many hunting trips with his buddies from work as well as his dear friends the Parsons' brothers. Dad also enjoyed fishing and it didn't matter whether it was cod jigging or catching trout because he truly loved being on the water.  He respected the beauty of mother nature and all she had to offer.

Dad enjoyed all kinds of sports and in his school days, he enjoyed playing hockey with the Curling High School Team. He was very proud of the fact that they won the High School title in 1949/50 against the Corner Brook team. Back in those days, there was a huge rivalry between those two teams so winning that title was a very big deal. This story and picture of this accomplishment were covered in the Western Star. Dad remained close to his teammates for years and in 2008 he and his good friend Gilbert organized a reunion of all of the remaining teammates. They all had a wonderful and memorable time at the reunion! As the years went by, members of the team passed away and Dad was the last remaining member of the team. As Dad got older, he continued to play sports and he and mom enjoyed many years of darts and bowling.

Another one of dad's passions, which may be surprising to many people, was his love of music. He loved nothing more than a family gathering on Woodbine Ave or Bonne Bay Pond, music playing, a few dances and a few beverages. These gatherings were often accompanied by the guitar and banjo playing of the Langer family and in-laws. We will forever have beautiful memories of those family times.

So, the next time you hear the songs " Up at the Cabin" or " Music and Friends" , think of dad. He will be looking down with that big smile on his face and tapping his toes.

Dad will forever be loved and missed. Joanne

To Those Whom I Love and Those Who Love Me

Author Unknown

When I am gone, release me, let me go
I have so many things to see and do

You must not tie yourself to me with tears
Be happy that I have had so many years

I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness

I thank you for the love each have shown
But now it is time I travelled on alone

So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust

It is only for a while that we must part
So bless the memories in your heart

I will not be far away, for life goes on
So if you need me, call and I will come

Though you cannot see or touch me, I will be near
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All of my love around you soft and clear

Then, when you must come this way alone
I will greet you with a smile and a Welcome Home