Mr. Thomas Charles Canfield

Thomas Charles Canfield, 82 died peacefully Sunday, December 13, 2009 at John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville, North Carolina. A native of Philadelphia, PA he was son of the late Charles Francis and Josephine Buchanan Canfield. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Gloria Rivera Canfield of Mexico. At a very young age, he signed up with the Merchant Marines and within five years was appointed as Third Mate. Leaving briefly, he joined the US Army where as a private; he operated a radar set at a radar warning station near England. After leaving the Army he returned to the Merchant Marines and was promoted to Second Mate, he served a total of twelve years as a Merchant Marine. Mr. Canfield left military service to enter college and learn the business world. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Mexico City College where he received his B.A. in Business Administration and also received the Delta Sigma Pa award for outstanding work in economics. The Wall Street Journal honored him with an award for the outstanding graduate of 1960 and he was presented with a silver medal. He was a long time employee of Cummins, Inc., a global company headquartered in Columbus, Indiana. Being a global company manufacturing, designing and distribute gasoline engines, he had the opportunity to travel all over South America. He was the district manager for South America living in many places such as, Bogota, Colombia, Caracas, Venezuela, and Lima Peru. An avid hiker and runner, he enjoyed the outdoors. He earned many medals as a runner and as a hiker; he completed the Inca Trails in Cuzco, Peru twice along with other trails throughout the world. His retirement years were spent solving crosswords, enjoying poetry and reading and his vast interest in family genealogy. He was a kind and generous always sharing his interesting, amazing stories of his travels and adventures. He will be missed dearly and remembered always. Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Elena Franco Canfield of Lima,Peru; daughter, Patricia Canfield and her life partner, Michael Thibideau of Cancun, Mexico; son, Carlos Canfield and his wife, Angelica De Koster of Mexico City, Mexico; step-children, Elena T. Franchi and her husband, Sergio of Morgan Hill, California, Irina T. Adams of Lima, Peru and Alfredo Tapia Franco and his wife Patricia Williams of Lima, Peru; grandchildren, Stephanie and Karen Canfield, Riccardo and Cecilia Franchi, Matthew Adams, Daniella and Matias Tapia; nieces, Barbara Canfield Godwin of Sebastopol, California, Carol O’Brien and her husband Frank of Clementon, NJ and nephew, James T. Smith and his wife, Bernice Gottlieb of Lawrenceville, NJ. A graveside service will be held 2:00 PM, Thursday, December 17, 2009 at Western Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC. The family will receive friends from 11:30 – 1:00 PM at Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. Morris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent through the website morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com.

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Mr. Thomas Charles Canfield

May 31, 1927 - December 13, 2009