Tom Matthews

July 9, 1942 - July 11, 2007

Tom passed away on July 11, 2007 in Oakland at the age of 65. He was the husband of Nancy, son of Ailene and the late Ronald Matthews of Sebring, Ohio, brother of Jeff Matthews and his wife Joyce. He was a father to Sally and Glynis and grandfather to Andrew, Ian and Hannah.

Tom was born in Akron, Ohio, graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and received his Master of Social Work degree from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. Many of his ideals and life goals matured during his early work with Southside Settlement House in Columbus, where he organized and staffed the local Welfare Rights Organization and tenants' organization.

Tom came to California in 1973, where he met and married his wife Nancy. With her he raised two daughters, Sally and Glynis.

He became program director for Visitation Valley Community Center, and then directed Echo Housing in Hayward. During his career in housing authority management and development of low income and affordable housing, Tom worked with the housing authorities of Alameda County, city of Livermore, and County of Los Angeles.

Tom arrived in the city of Alameda in 1984, to assume the responsibilities of executive director at the Alameda Housing Authority. His most fulfilling achievement during this time was securing funding for, and enabling construction of Independence Plaza, an independent living complex for Alameda seniors. Prior to retirement he was director of housing management and development for Rubicon Programs, Inc. in Richmond, serving homeless and disabled people.

In Alameda, Tom's volunteer activities included service as vice-president of the Alameda Food Bank, and president of Renewed Hope Housing Advocates. With Renewed Hope, Tom worked successfully to achieve a settlement with the City of Alameda, which guaranteed that twenty-five percent of all new residential development would be affordable to moderate and low-income citizens.

In his personal life, Tom loved sailing and good food and drink. He loved to watch the ocean crashing onto shoreline boulders, and visit winery tasting rooms from Santa Ynes Valley to Sonoma and Mendocino. He enjoyed planning trips and traveling in Italy, France, Britain, Turkey and Spain. His favorite cities were Venice and Barcelona.

In his later years, Tom took special pleasure in his grandchildren and planning family occasions. Despite a long struggle with heart disease, chronic leukemia, and pulmonary disease, he was determined to be active and involved in life to the end. He died suddenly and too soon. He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Alameda Food Bank, Renewed Hope Housing Advocates, Alameda Red Cross, and HOMES.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at the Ruth Rambeau Memorial Community Room at Independence Plaza, 703 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 19.