More detail on this person: Tom Potter, 68,
died peacefully on August 27, 2015 after a long
illness. He had been a resident of Sunrise Senior
Living, Sandy, UT, where he received loving and
attentive care from the staff for more than two
years.
Tom was a 1964 graduate of Palmer (MA) High
School and a 1968 graduate of Norwich University
in Northfield, VT. After graduation, Tom served
eight years as an officer in the U.S. Army,
including one tour in Vietnam. He piloted Chinook
helicopters on missions to retrieve downed
aircraft in active combat. After leaving the Army,
Tom was the operations officer for various
manufacturers including Gulfstream, Sperry,
Maruka Corp. and Nurad Corporation, where he
became president. Later, Tom helped his partner of
eighteen years, Joyce Freeman, revitalize and
manage the Gold's Gym in Camp Hill, PA.
Friends and sports were important sources of Tom's
happiness. Tom became a proficient skier at
Norwich and went on to pursue his passion
professionally. He was a ski instructor for 13
years, nine at Roundtop Mountain Resort,
Lewisberry, PA, and four at the Alf Engen Ski
School at Alta, UT. He achieved Level II
certification from the Professional Ski
Instructors of America, and was a member of PSIA
East and PSIA Intermountain. Tom's other passions
were sailing, motorcycles and cycling. He
completed the grueling week-long Great Bicycle
Ride Across Iowa.
Tom's parents were Helen and Ralph Potter of
Palmer, MA and Ormond Beach, FL. Tom leaves
his younger brother Ralph, his older brother Fred,
Fred's wife Katalin and sons Stephen and Philip.
He also leaves behind many friends, including his
former partner, Joyce Freeman, her daughter Leah
Schmeltz, Leah's husband Bremen and son Jack.
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Garner
Funeral Home, Salt Lake City, UT. A service
celebrating Tom's life will be held in late Fall.
Memorial contributions may be made to The
Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration
(www.theaftd.org). Condolences may be sent to
www.cityviewmemoriam.com.
www.pennlive.com/obits
Published on Pennlive.com and in The Patriot-News
from Sept. 5 to Sept. 6, 2015
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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