by John Carroll

In the Sonoma Valley wine country, 1943 was a very good year. So, too was it a good year in Mariemont, for that was the year Thomas McCormack was born, at Mercy Hospital. Tom’s father was with K-D Electrical, but spent many years as a Mariemont City official.

Tom participated in Mariemont High School sports and extracurricular activities. Spending money came from working as a chef at the Heritage Restaurant on Wooster Pike. His ability with cooking stayed with Tom through college, and right up to the present day (for which Ruth is grateful).

Tom headed to Los Altos College, in San Francisco, and, after a couple of years, enrolled at Miami University. He graduated in 1967, with majors in political science, earth science and geography. Along the way, Tom developed an interest in the jewelry business, which, down the road, would grow into something more than a casual interest. It was the jewelry business that probably brought Ruth into his life. They met at a craft mall in Kentucky. She liked his line - jewelry, that is - but, later, bought the other line - a proposal and marriage in the Mariemont Community Church. Tom and Ruth have been married 22 years now, and have one son, Rob.

The jewelry business was good, but Tom had a calling for teaching, eventually spending 31 years (!) in the Sycamore School District, retiring in 1998. Ruthie is still teaching, and Tom still subs several times a week. Tom’s hobbies don’t just start with pots and end with plants - running, reading, gardening and racquet ball also catch his interest, though his main focus is on Bonsai.

Eleven years ago, Tom saw some Bonsai at a Kroger store, piquing his interest. He followed up with a call to the Civic Garden Center, and was given John Carrol’s phone number. Soon after, he signed up for a beginner’s workshop with Bill Hackman and began attending the regular monthly meetings. Hooked! He volunteered to help Bill on beginner’s workshops, and later, as Bill decided to phase out of some Bonsai activities, Tom volunteered to take over the workshops. He met Doug Hawley at a meeting, and found that Linda Hawley had been a nearby neighbor in Mariemont, and have since renewed an old friendship.

Tom is currently serving his second term as Treasurer of the Society. He attends all the National Bonsai Seminars and Conventions, working hard to continually hone his skills. Tom is an asset to this Society, pouring in time and effort to improve the organization, to the betterment of us all. Thanks, Tom.