Obituary of Thomas Agate

AGATE, Dr. Thomas Elwood, DDS April 22, 1922 to September 2, 2013 Thomas Elwood Agate passed away peacefully at West Lincoln Memorial Hospital on Monday September 2, 2013 in his 92nd year. Predeceased by his wife of 59 years Joyce, brother Milton and sister Virginia Wright. Dad leaves behind his brother Arthur, four children: John Agate (Diane), Jane Hendrickse (Michael), James Agate (Liliane), William Agate (Cheli); twelve grandchildren: Michael, Katharine, Daniel, Gregory, Mary, Brian, Joshua, John, Luke, Adam, Jesse, and four great grandchildren: Roxis, Kamila, Silas and Alexis. Dad was born and raised on a prairie farm in Osage, Saskatchewan. He volunteered to serve during WWII with the Royal Canadian Air Force and trained as a pilot. After the war he attended and graduated in Dentistry from the University of Toronto in 1950, where he also met his wife Joyce, who was in the dental nursing program. They began practicing dentistry immediately following their graduation and wedding, working for two years in Northern Ontario in a Red Cross Dental coach. They then settled in Beamsville where they cared for patients at the corner of King and Queen Street for 55 years. For many years he also worked part-time as an Associate in Dentistry in the Oral Diagnosis department at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto. He was an active member of the community and the Trinity United Church. Dad loved life. He loved his profession and sharing a good joke with his patients. He loved to cook for his family, listen to opera, and read about world history. Above all else, he loved his family. He will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. "This is the day that the Lord hath made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Cremation has taken place. A Celebration of Life will take place at Trinity United Church on Saturday, September 7, at 11 am. If desired, those who wish to may make memorial donations to the Albright Foundation or the Trinity United Church in Beamsville.