VENICE, Fla. – Thomas ” Tommy” Collins Rice, husband of Edythe Eastman Rice and loving father of three daughters, died Feb. 27, 2004, with his loving wife by his side. He was born Sept. 5, 1919, son of Isabelle Bragg Rice and Edward H. Rice. Tom graduated from Bangor High School and Husson College in Bangor. He married Edythe Eastman on Dec. 28, 1940. Tommy joined the Navy in 1944, and from November 1944 through May 1946, he was in Okinawa during the war. He was in the Logistic Support Co. 4th Spec Naval Circuit Batt. USSN Military C Unit. Tommy worked in the family business, the C.H. Rice Meat Packing Co., and remained there until the business was sold to the Jordan Co. in 1961. He resided with his family in Bangor and Hampden until that time, after which he moved his family to Winslow, and opened the Winslow IGA Store. Tom sold the store later and worked at Laverdiere’s Drug Store in the advertising department until retirement. In 1986, Tom retired with his wife to Venice, Fla. He spent many wonderful years there playing endless golf with dear friends, working part-time and putting in many volunteer hours at the Bon Secours Hospital. Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Edie of Venice, Fla.; three daughters, Pam Rogers of Venice, Fla., Cheryle Nason and husband, Deane, of Winslow, and Genie Hammond and husband, Raymond, of Belgrade; seven grandchildren, Wendy Nivison and husband, John, of Winslow, Debbie Lelonde and husband, Phil, of Milford, Conn., Deane Nason II and wife, Lisa, of Norwich, Conn., Kevin Rogers of Canton, Conn., Margaret Nason of Massachusetts, Pam LeBlanc and husband, Jason, of Gorham, and Paul Hammond of Belgrade; 11 great-grandchildren; a dear sister, Sally Palmer of Northport, Fla.; and many dear friends in Maine and Florida. Tom was a loving husband and a true friend to many. At his request there will be no memorial service. A private family memorial will take place at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice. Farley Funeral Home & Crematory, Venice, Fla.
THOMAS C. RICE
