Utah Programmer Tom Gregory’s son passes away

 I’ve been swamped lately and haven’t taken the time to blog for some time, but this is definately something I have time to stop and share with everyone.

I don’t know Tom very well, our paths cross several times a year at Utah networking and other events (he’s a regular at the CTO Breakfast), but I do know he’s a good man and someone I could be friends with.  About a month ago while we were at the Oncology clinic with Serenity I saw him in the hall and had a quick chat with him.  His son Tobin was in the ICS ward where Serenity had been in-patient a month or so earlier.  Tom explained to me that Tobin had neuroblastoma (a type of brain cancer) and I could tell by his demeanor that things were not going well.  Today I received an email from Tom that yesterday Tobin moved on to a place of no pain and suffering. 

Tobin was diagnosed in December of 2007, only 8 months ago, he would have turned 4 years old later this month. 

There will be a viewing this Wednesday evening with Funeral services on Thursday (Aug 21) Tom has posted details on his blog here.  I hope the Utah geek community can help support the Gregory family the way that it has my family. 

Tobin has a memorial fund at Washington Mutual Bank (ask to deposit into the Tobin Gregory memorial fund at any Washington Mutual). 

This obviously strikes very close to home for me – my heart and prayers go out to the Gregory family.  I can vividly imagine what they’re going through and my heart aches for their loss.