Mr. Thomas Haislip Fague, 85, of Chincoteague Island, formerly of Silver Spring, Md., passed away on June 26 at TidalHealth Peninsula Regional in Salisbury, Md., surrounded by his daughters.
Tom was born Oct. 11, 1938, in Alexandria, to the late Ferguson Fague and the late Eloise W. Haislip Fague. He grew up living in Washington, D.C., where he met the love of his life, Susan Eldridge, when she was 13 and he was 17. Tom and Sue married in 1960 and raised their two daughters in Silver Spring. Together as a family, they spent many years enjoying their summers on Chincoteague Island.
As a teenager, he was immensely proud of being a member of a brotherhood group of friends who were known as the “Monks.” In 1957, Tom and several of the “Monks” enlisted in the Air National Guard. Tom’s rank was Airman 2nd Class, based out of Andrews Air Force Base.
Tom was always a conscientious worker, from his early days as a top-earning paperboy to his passion for the printing industry. His career in printing started as a foot messenger and bindery helper with The Reprint Company, Inc., and he continued to work in every phase of the operation, from press operator to management and sales. He later formed Printing, Inc., an affiliate of The Reprint Company. The Reprint Company later became Serif Press, Inc.
After a successful career, he enjoyed his retirement years on Chincoteague. His days were spent enjoying his family and serving his community as an invaluable member of the Chincoteague Kiwanis Club. During his time with the Kiwanis, he was extremely active and could always be counted on to lend a helping hand. He also served as the treasurer of the Chincoteague Island Community Health Center.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; his brother William “Billy” Ferguson Fague; sisters, Leonora Anne Fague Bristow (Tom), and Gloria Virginia Fague Brady (Robert); his youngest grandson, Jacob Peter Gildersleeve Sloan; and his beloved wife of 55 years, Susan Eldridge Fague.
Tom is survived by his two daughters, Kathrine Ann Anderson (Douglas), of New Port Richey, Fla., and Mary Elizabeth Sloan (Peter), of Stevensville, Md.; grandsons, Daniel Robert Thomas Sloan (Jordan), Christopher John Sloan, and Nicholas Jacob Anderson; three great-grandchildren, Roman Daniel Sloan, Zoe Jolee Sloan, and Lucas James Peter Sloan; and four nephews, Lawrence Kevin Brady, James Michael Brady, Robert Joseph Brady, and Timothy Robert Brady.
Tom also leaves his dear Chincoteague Kiwanis Club family and neighbors.
There will be a celebration of life at 4 p.m. on Sept. 19 at the Chincoteague Community Center on Chincoteague.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to your choice of:
Kiwanis of Chincoteague, P.O. Box 23, Chincoteague, VA 23336
https://kiwanisofchincoteague.org or
The Jacob Sloan Foundation, P.O. Box 654, Stevensville, MD 21666
www.jacobsloanfoundation.com
Condolences may be made online at www.salyerfh.com
Services were entrusted to Salyer Funeral Home, Inc.
