Thomas Edward Maynard Midthun laced up his skates for his final contest on September 7, 2023. He was born on June 17, 1961, in Minneapolis, MN to Roslyn Jean (Johnson) and the late Norman Edward Midthun. Tom grew up near the shores of Lake Nokomis, in Minneapolis, and had an unusually strong sense for family bonds.  The softer spoken and youngest of three brothers, Tom eventually gained the upper hand by becoming the tallest and strongest brother; however, he was always there for his little sis.

Tom took an early liking to hockey despite the 6:00 a.m. Pewee and Bantam outdoor practices during the cold winters in Minnesota (indoor hockey was largely yet to be invented). Tom defined humility. He was proud of playing defense for the Roosevelt High School Hockey Team during the 1977-78 MN State Tournament where he played alongside future NHL stars.  Unlike most high school hockey players, Tom never hung up his skates.  He continued to play in leagues in the Midwest and later in the South, up until his illness.

Tom never shied away from hard work.  His first job was at Bloomington Ice Gardens while in high school and he continued working there while attending Normandale Jr. College. He later graduated from Mankato State University and went to work for Northwest Airlines on the grounds crew in Minneapolis.  After eight years in 'Minne,' Tom transferred to Orlando with good buddies to pursue further opportunities with NWA, compiling 28 years with the airline. Tom bought a lot on Sawmill Lake in Clermont, FL, and began building his home; he then became  licensed independent contractor.  As the saying goes, if you want it done right – do it yourself. True perhaps unless you could get Tom to do it for you.  He was a master craftsman and was known for meticulous detail – "MidthunMade."

While waterskiing with mutual friends, Tom laid his eyes on an athletic, dazzling blonde from Indiana who presented herself with a barefooting pass. Julie Richcreek was then a waterskiing instructor at Disney and a great boat driver who loved to ski and shared Midwest roots. Tom's dreams had come true!  Theirs was a somewhat circuitous trip to fantasy, but persistence paid off.  While putting finishing touches on his home, they decided it was to be their place of magic, and he and Julie were wed in 2008. Julie continued to work for Disney but also gained notoriety as a decorative painter creating custom art and designs, and making visions come to life. Julie would say "I know a guy," and Tom would say "I know a gal," and so they landed more work for each other - often working side by side.  All of Tom and Julie's children had paws. Hardly pets, these kids were spoiled yet disciplined. Black lab, Nina, learned to count to eight, retrieve a beer from any hiding place, and was an accomplished knee boarder. Subsequent lab, Roxy, was as good a knee boarder and inner tuber, a diligent retriever, and will forever be remembered for sleeping as close as possible – on him and at his side, and for delivering 'Roxy hugs and kisses' at the hospital. His cats, Goldie, Bear, Sadie, Rio, and Tonka weren't much for watersports but added joy and companionship.

Tom's ways were to: Be patient, kindhearted and stoic; Help others before himself; Be a friend was a friend for life; Always be fit; Drive a fast boat and occasionally make a big splash, but in life, create a small wake; Be every cousin's favorite uncle; Love H2O as ice or water; Walk softly and carry a big (hockey) stick; Make his best turns at 35' off; Let his craftmanship do his talking; Over deliver and under bill; Spend part of every summer at the cabin on Lake Sylvia – his happy place; Love a variety of music, especially from the '70s and provide drumming assist on any available surface; Favor pizza, steak and cheeseburgers, but savor twice baked potatoes fixed mom's way, and salmon fixed Julie's way; Know that dogs and cats are people too and e njoy a cold beer and every warm sunset.

Tom was an athlete until his death – chiseled, strong, resilient - from decades of hockey, waterskiing and physical labor. Kidney cancer caught him offside...and the oncologists flat footed. Borrowing from A.E. Housman, Tom was 'An athlete dying young.' Tom's final contest was to defeat every cancer cell. He succeeded in that goal with a long shot from near the blue line - with assists going to amazing and loving nurses: Shelly, Necole, and Roxana. As he is held shoulder high through town, recognize it is for victory rather than for a funeral.

Tom is survived by Julie, his wife of 15 years and best friend for longer; his mother Jean Midthun; his mother and father-in-law: Susan and Max Richcreek; his brothers: Steve (Mary), David (Vivien) Midthun and sister Ann (Peter) Baskin; his brother and sisters-in-law: Jeff Richcreek (Jen Woods), Jenny Shumaker (Jon Tinkey) and Beth Richcreek and his nieces and nephews: Jens, Sonja, Lars, Tor, Ted, and Will Midthun, Erik (Shelley) and Hanna Baskin, Bennett and Evelyn Richcreek, and Kaleigh and Owen Shumaker.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tom's honor to the Hendrickson Foundation which focuses on enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities through the game of hockey. https://www.hendricksonfoundation.com/

A Celebration of Tom's Life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Pilars Loft, 146 W Plant St., Winter Garden, FL 34787. A service for friends and family in Minnesota will take place on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Gail Woods Farm, 7210 County Road 110, W. Minnetrista, MN 55364.