Tom J. Ambrose's Obituary
Thomas Joseph Ambrose died on December 23, 2012 after a heroic battle with cancer.
Tom was born on December 9, 1949 in New York City to Josephine Romanow Ambrose and John Francis Ambrose. At the age of two he moved to Johnstown, PA where he spent much of his childhood. He then moved to Loudoun County with his family as a teenager and graduated from Loudoun Valley high School in Purcellville.
He joined the US Army in February 1970 and attended the US Army’s Prep School Program at West Point. After a tour in Vietnam he was honorably discharged. Tom then decided to continue his education and received both a bachelors and masters degree in counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.
Tom’s professional life was centered on helping people, particularly those individuals with disabilities. He began his professional career over 30 years ago with a position at the Adult Day program in the Purcellville Community Center which is now known as Friendship House, and served as a supervising technician there for 10 years. He then worked as a group home supervisor at the Potomac terrace, Marshall, Sterling Group Homes. After continuing his education, he then moved on to become the MR Residential Programs manager for the Dept. of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services in Loudoun County. He retired after 30 years of professional service.
Tom was always very involved with the people he served and made the comment that “the most rewarding moments are when I run into people now that I have worked with 10-15 years ago and see that they have become productive citizens.” Tom’s concerns and interests in people were also demonstrated by his teaching of leadership courses for the Carnegie Institute and his certifications in First Aid, CPR, and as a CPI instructor.
Tom was a fitness enthusiast and enjoyed walleyball, lifting weights, and general fitness activities. He also loved to read and travel. In face one of his dreams was to open a bookstore in New Zealand. Tom’s coworkers described him as “a steady, friendly, dependable, diplomatic person, and an enigma with a dry sense of humor.” He will be missed.
Tom leaves behind his brother John Ambrose and his wife, Judy; nephew, Zachary Ambrose; niece, Caroline (Carrie) Ambrose; grand-niece, Catherine Ambrose; and grand-nephew, John Ambrose. He is also survived by his close and dear friends, Judy and David Zamory of Purcellville and his dear special friend Pamela Potts, also of Purcellville. Tom was predeceased by his sister, Debra-Jo Fowler of Texas.
A funeral service will be held for Tom’s family and very dear friends at Loudoun Funeral Chapel on Saturday, January 5, 2013 at 11:00 AM. Burial with military honors will follow at Lovettsville Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Inova Loudoun Hospital, Intensive Care Unit, 44045 Riverside Pkwy Leesburg, VA 2176 or to any program that provides services to animals in need of rescue.
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