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Thomas “Tom” Buscher of Sarnia at age 83, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospice on Saturday August 17, 2024, after a brave battle with cancer. Tom will be deeply missed by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Buscher (nee Best). Tom was the proud father of daughters Christina (Greg) Payne of Chatham, and Sandy (Kevin) Riddell of Newton. Loving Grandfather of Shannon (Brent), and Owen (Siobhan) Payne, and Meghan (Brent) Riddell-Maerz, and Kyle, Ian and Graeme Riddell. Dear brother of Alice Reinhart of Stratford and Hans Buscher of Nova Scotia. Fun, teasing uncle of many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Hans and Therese Buscher; sister Marion Stock; brothers-in-law Leo Stock and Robert Reinhart; and sisters-in-law Elizabeth Buscher (nee Hutchinson) and Lois Buscher (nee Wiseman).
Tom was born in 1941 in Stratford, Ontario and attended Central High School before obtaining certification as a Registered Medical Lab Technologist from Stratford General Hospital, where he met his beloved wife, Pat. He furthered his education at the University Guelph where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree and his master’s in microbiology. He spent four years teaching high school science in Thunder Bay before obtaining employment at Lambton College in 1974 as a Professor of Medical Lab Technology, eventually obtaining his Master of Education before retiring in 2001.
Tom was a private man who enjoyed conversation, a good joke, and was known for his quick wit and love of learning. He was an avid reader, a proud supporter of the theatre and he enjoyed movies and all genres of music, apart from the hillbilly country music which his daughter would intentionally inflict upon him. He encouraged both of his daughters to work hard and reinforced their competitive spirit by never letting them win at any board games. Ever. He was extremely mischievous and never missed an opportunity to embarrass his girls in public. Tom appreciated and was genuinely interested in the skills and talents of others, and always gave people his undivided attention when engaging them in conversation. As a collector of all things useful, whether he used them or not, he enjoyed tinkering in his garage and being able to provide you with any item that you needed, should you ask. As a purveyor of all food, especially snacks and limburger cheese, he enjoyed cooking and sampling his wife’s extensive baking. Time spent around the table at family gatherings listening to his grandchildren and their pursuits or whatever mischief the boys were up to, was his greatest joy. He was always up for a good debate and challenged his grandchildren accordingly. In turn, they would gift him with logic puzzles in an attempt to defeat him where his daughters could not. He was completely and utterly devoted to his wife, Pat, with a fierce, protective love that never waned. He was a proud champion of all her talents, supporting her in everything she pursued including the solving of the daily crossword. Together they were a team that created a beautiful life together. He was one of a kind who will be missed dearly.
We would like to thank the entire staff and volunteers at St. Joseph’s Hospice for their incredible compassion and care. Cremation has taken place. A celebration of Tom’s life will take place at a later date, with interment at Avondale Cemetery in Stratford. As an expression of sympathy, friends who wish, may donate to St. Joseph’s Hospice, 475 Christina Street N., Sarnia, Ontario, N7T 5W3.
