Thomas G. Kincaid, passionate educator, quiet leader, family man, constant problem solver and scientist, died on January 18th, 2015.



Tom greatly enjoyed seeing other people delight in accomplishing new understanding, whether it was being a teaching assistant while he was at MIT - for which he received an award, teaching at Boston University where his student office hours were known as the best, or tutoring his children and grandchildren who are constantly retelling stories at the dinner table about how he helped them overcome struggles. Tom's love of teaching also expanded into his broader life, from teaching the four-year-old nursery school at church (employing his trumpet), helping prepare unwed mothers to get their GED, all the way to manning the computer help desk in the retirement community in Florida. Tom's constant love of other people's moment of learning will be deeply missed.



Although Tom was rarely the front man, but most would eagerly label him a leader. He was always looking at people for their strengths, never their shortcomings. He constantly sought ways to enable others to achieve their true potential. As a result of his actions and treatment of others, everyone he came in contact with knew of his strong value system. He was always willing to bring challenge privately where there was an injustice or misunderstanding, be it in the office, the community, church, or the family. He was deeply centered in his love of the Lord, and believed in the Bible's teaching on how to engage other people with humility.



Tom was dedicated to hard work to achieve goals. Whether it was hauling rocks in the building of the St Lawrence Seaway during college summers, academic focus through his PhD, his research, his teaching, or his family, he was always hard at work. Tom worked hardest at balance, often forgoing opportunities for personal advancement in order to ensure he had time for his family – all of whom remember him always being there.



When asked, "What is at Tom's essence?", the answer "Problem Solver" always comes to the fore. He could solve anything: technical problems, building and preserving relationships, understanding an individual's key to unlocking their ability, all the way through building jungle gyms and fixing the septic system. Tom always could solve the problem, whatever it was.



Tom was born on September 18th, 1937 in Hamilton, Ontario. He was raised in Prescott, Ontario, attended Queens Science in Ottawa where he was part of the marching band and designed the formations, attended MIT for his PhD in Engineering Physics, worked at GE Research, and then became a Professor at Boston University, from where he retired. Tom is survived by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth (Betsy), their three children, Thomas John, Colin, and Elizabeth (Mimi), their spouses and nine grandchildren.



Tom enjoyed living life; he is now with his Heavenly Father.



A celebration of Tom's life will be held at Grace Chapel, 59 Worthen Road, Lexington, MA on Saturday, January 24th, 2015 at 11am. All ages and stages of life are welcomed to attend the celebration; a reception will follow. The family will have private burial ceremony.



For those wishing to make charitable donations in remembrance of Thomas G. Kincaid, please do so to either World Vision or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.



World Vision

PO Box 78481

Tacoma, Washington 98481-8481

Donation by Phone: 1-888-511-6548, use code 105429674

Please reference "Thomas G. Kincaid" on your check



Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

Grand Central Station, PO Box 4777

New York, New York 10163-4777

Donations by Phone: 1-800-708-7644

Please reference "Thomas G. Kincaid" on your check



For details on the web please see:

https://tomjohnkin.wordpress.com/2015/01/21/our-fathers-memory/