Thomas Gajda, 77
ADAMS, Mass. — Thomas Adam Gajda, 77, of Williamsburg, Virginia passed away on June 3, 2023 at Patriot's Colony in Williamsburg after a long, courageous, 17-year battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Tom, who was born on June 1, 1946 in Adams, Massachusetts was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend to all who knew him.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Walter P. and Ruth Gajda, and his loyal and affectionate Labrador retriever, Noah. Tom is survived by his loving and supportive wife of 24 years, Ellen Smith Gajda; daughter, Michelle Blesi of Manassas, Virginia; Michelle's mother, Diana Skelton of Williamsburg, Virginia; son-in-law, Matt Blesi of Manassas, Virginia; Tom's grandchildren: Albert, Madison, and Thomas; his brothers Norman (Helene) and Dennis (Willie) of N. Adams and Adams Massachusetts; nieces/nephews: Crista, Michael, Beth, Christopher, and Kevin; and, stepchildren Kenneth (K.C.) Smith (Kathryn) of Bluffton, S.C., Robin Licata of Fredericksburg, VA and their mother, Linda Rosser (Dave) in Tennessee; and, sister-in-law, Sandy Beaudoin (Wally) of Guyton, Georgia along with many other relatives and dear friends.
Tom lived, worked, and traveled all over the world, to include working as an Army civilian at Ft. Eustis; Ft. Monroe; U.S. Army Europe; Military District of Washington in D.C.; Army Materiel Command (where he met his future bride, Ellen); and, the Pentagon in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management.
After a distinguished career as an executive-level, Army civilian for over 30 years, Tom worked as a defense contractor/consultant.
Tom was a graduate of: Old Dominion University with an MBA, and B.S. in Accounting; the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF); Thomas Nelson Community College; and, Adams Memorial High School in Massachusetts.
Tom had a great sense of humor and positive attitude, and loved boating, skiing, traveling (especially beach vacations), fishing, and sports cars (especially corvettes and porsches). Additionally, Tom built his own vacation home in the Northern Neck, Montross Virginia where he loved to spend time on weekends with family and friends. Tom's favorite place to live was ultimately in Kingsmill, Williamsburg where he lived with Ellen for 15 years.
Tom will be forever loved and missed. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared through the Nelsen Funeral Home at www.nelsenwilliamsburg.com In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom Gajda's memory to: The King of Glory Lutheran Church, 4897 Longhill Rd. Williamsburg, VA 23188 and/or Heritage Humane Society, 430 Waller Mill Rd. Williamsburg, VA 23185.
The family would like to thank Tom's personal caregiver for almost 10 years, Christianna Garrett of Toano, former caregivers Donna Brady of Lanexa and Vicky Champ of Gloucester, and the staff (especially Nissa Lewis) in the Convalescent Center, Patriot's Colony at Williamsburg for the exceptional care and love they provided. Many thanks to Riverside Hospice as well. Tom had great doctors in Williamsburg in addition to Dr. Saud Sadiq at the Tisch MS Research Hospital in New York City, to include: Dr. Kassem Khreis, Dr. Shawke Soueidan, Dr. Michael Javernick, Dr. Susan M. Brown, Dr. George McBeath, Dr. John McCarthy III, and Dr. Eric Weiner. The family would also like to thank the King of Glory Lutheran Church, where Ellen is a member for all the prayers, visits, compassion, and love shown to Tom throughout his courageous struggle with MS. Thank you Pastor Bill Harmon, Mr. Ron Adolphi, and Mrs. Jan Slack who visited Tom with Solomon, the church therapy dog.
It was Tom's wish to have his remains taken out by boat onto the Potomac River. A celebration of Tom's life will be announced to family and friends in the near future.
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