Thomas Epstein

Thomas (Tom) Epstein carried on a family tradition by dying peacefully in his sleep on August 25, 2020 in front of his wide-screen television.

Tom was born on November 1, 1947 in Karlovy Vary in the former Czechoslovakia (now Slovakia), the second of four children of Arnold and Serena Epstein, both survivors of the Holocaust.

The family came to the United States in 1951 and settled in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Tom graduated from The Ohio State University (1970) and lived in Columbus, OH, Cape Cod, MA, and for the last 25 years, Alameda, CA.

Tom was a legacy expert software technician on the Eclipse Distribution Management Software system. Despite a tendency to be grumpy, he was known as a virtuoso problem-solver and was beloved by his customers and co-workers, who he befriended and mentored during his 30-year career working with the Eclipse program.  In semi-retirement, and because of corona virus restrictions, Tom pined for social interaction with his customers and co-workers, and sorely missed his work-related travel.

He was a huge sports fan and would watch anything, even Australian Rules football. His favorite teams were the Cleveland Browns and Cleveland Indians. He could also hold a grudge, and never forgave the Indians for trading Rocky Colavito in 1960, or the Browns for moving to Baltimore in 1996.  He was a denizen of Linguini’s Sports Bar in Alameda, where he was at home, spending countless hours nursing a diet Coke and talking sports - and napping. (As he often said “I can nap anywhere.”) It was a place where, for Tom, “everybody knows your name.”

Tom sported collar length white hair and full beard. His grizzled countenance and kind eyes often caused very young people to mistake him for Santa Clause, or when in San Francisco or Berkeley, for Jerry Garcia.

Tom is survived by his “way older” sister Judy Glickman of Canal Winchester, OH, his “baby” brother Pete Epstein of San Francisco, CA, beloved nieces Dianna and Lisa of Canal Winchester, and nephews Arnold of Chicago, IL, and Robert of Wellington, FL. He is predeceased by his brother Paul Epstein (1948-1981).

At his request, there will be no memorial service. In memory of Tom, please treat yourself to a hearty meal and a refreshing beverage - and tip generously. And don't forget the Valentine's Day chocolates for your servers.

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