THOMAS W. RENDALL

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THOMAS W. RENDALL Tom Rendall, aged 68, passed away April 7, 2002 in Sacred Heart Hospital in Spokane, WA. He was born August 11, 1933 in Winnipeg, MB, Canada. He is survived by a devoted family, two daughters, Sandra Rendall and Stacie Hutton; his former wife Carole Rendall; four grandsons, Trevor and Casey Rendall and Makyle and Vincent Hutton. His daughter, Sherri Rendall, predeceased him in September 2001. He is also survived by two brothers, John (Charlotte) of Minnetonka, MN, and Bob (Mary) of Ottawa, ON, Canada. Tom loved hockey and had a distinguished career in the game. He played his minor hockey in Winnipeg from the age of seven, where his juvenile and junior years were spent with the Winnipeg Monarchs. He was a top scorer and all-star every year that he played. In 1954, he accepted a hockey scholarship at the University of Michigan and spent four years there before graduating with a degree in Industrial Engineering in 1957. He was a 3-time All-American participating with Michigan at the NCAA championships in 1954, 1955 and 1956. He is the only player in the history of the NCAA to have been named to three tournament All-Star teams. In 1997, he received further recognition for his NCAA contributions when he was named as one of the best 21 players in the first 50 years of NCAA hockey tournament history. After graduation in 1957, Tom spent two years with the Brighton Tigers in the British Ice Hockey League and in Europe. During this period, he played in Russia, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Finland, Austria, Sweden and a number of other countries. In 1960, he returned to Canada, where he was employed as an engineer by the Canada Cement Company in Winnipeg, the Industrial Development Bank in Saskatoon, Bovay Engineering of Spokane, and for the last 30+ years in his own business, Travel Guide International, Inc. Wherever his work took him, he continued his hockey career, playing with the Winnipeg Maroons and the Saskatoon Quakers. In 1968, he joined the Spokane Jets in Spokane, WA, and played with them until 1974. During that period, the Jets won the league championship every year and the Allan Cup twice (1970 and 1972). Tom was always the top scorer on the team and was on the All-Star team many times. In 1969 he was nominated for "Inland Empire Professional Athlete of the Year". Tom ended his hockey career in Spokane in 1974 but continued to play with the Spokane Old Timers until the time of his death. Although Tom was a competitive and passionate hockey player, his primary devotion was to his three daughters and four grandsons. In his later years, he enjoyed nothing more than coaching and participating with them in various activities. Toms strength of character and toughness were fully tested in his fight against leukemia. He never complained and maintained his optimistic attitude and sense of humour to the end. Tom was a wonderful father, grandfather, brother and loyal friend. God granted him exceptional skills and a loving heart. We will miss him very much. The family would like to thank Dr. Joni Nichols and the staff of the Sacred Heart Medical Center for their excellent and compassionate care throughout Toms illness. We would also like to thank his many friends for their support, kindness and prayers. A memorial service will be held at Heritage Funeral Home, 508 N. Government Way, at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 10. In lieu of flowers, any friends that wish to may make a donation to the charity of their choice.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 09, 2002