Thomas Foster

Born in 1957 in Pennsylvania and moving to Arizona in 1958 – Tom’s home is here.  Living in Mesa, he attended Westwood High School and was the oldest of seven. Always helping with his siblings, he learned responsibility early.

Tom worked for just a” hot minute” as a hod carrier for his dad’s brick laying company and knew instantly that that kind of work was a big nope! He wasn’t afraid of hard work, he just really liked money, people, and air conditioning.  His biggest assets were his mouth and his ability to connect with people.

He started is lifelong career in solar control and window film over 40 years ago – the industry that he became an expert in and often reminded us that he forgot more about window film than most people ever knew…and he wasn’t wrong! This year he celebrated his 25^th year with Saint-Gobain Window Film where he is often called “The Legend.”

Not just the life of the party, Tom was the party.  He was up for anything, dancing, karaoke, telling stories, and of course, the often cringe worthy inappropriate joke.  His extensive amount of traveling throughout the years made him a proud, self-proclaimed “professional entertainer”.

A true biker guy, he loved his Harleys and everything to do with riding.  He achieved is dream of going to Sturgis and experiencing all the troublemaking that goes along with it.  Tom was always craving speed and excitement of the outdoors.  He pimped out any boat, ATV, side by side, camper or bike he had and was never shy of testing their limits.

Tom was known by many names, Thomas, Tom, Tommy, Big Dawg …. Biggie T, but most importantly as Dad.  He loved his girls more than anything in this world and has always been extremely proud of them. He embraced the hair styling and nail painting that they would practice on him and endured their excessive talking and bickering while in the car. As each daughter married, he gained his sons that he loved just as much.

Married for 32 years to a redhead, Tom has proven to be fearless.  He learned to quicky duck when a nerf gun was in the room, look for signs taped to his truck on his birthday for strangers to honk at him before leaving the house and always checked his suitcase for “odd” things that may have been place in his luggage for detection at airport security.

Lastly, Tom was so strong.  Learning he had cancer in 2020, he endured more than any person should ever have to. Throughout the years of treatments, he fought, stood tall and continued to work full time. On September 8, 2023, he passed peacefully and at home.

Survived by his wife Michaele, his children and their families, Sarah, Sebastian and Gemma Moessmer, Savannah and Paul Rivera, 3 brothers – Gary, Bob, and Chuck and 2 sisters – Julie and Jeannie.  Nephews and nieces, friends, and colleagues.

Tom loved the outdoors and exploring the desert! To honor that love and provide a beautiful place for friends and family to visit and take a moment to remember and honor Tom.

In lieu of flowers, arrangements have been made to have a custom diecast plaque in his memory installed on a boulder or bench through any gracious donations.

Please click on the link below to make a direct donation to the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, (one of his favorite places to ride to on is Harley) that will directly contribute to this memorial.