Major Thomas Reginald Tuppenney

Thomas (Tom) Tuppenney
April 9, 1954 – April 17, 2020

Tom was born and raised in the Regent Park and Carlaw and Gerard areas of Toronto. His parents, Cecil and Verna were active at the Lippincott and Riverdale Corps. During his rebellious youth Tom played in a rock band and was a member of a street gang; However, an invitation to be part of the stage crew of Scarborough Citadels musical “Natural High” led Tom to rededicate his life to the Lord
In 1973, Tom felt the call of God on his life to become a Salvation Army officer. Tom’s lack of formal education, his rebellious youthful years and his health concerns as a Type 1 diabetic were of no concern for God and His plans for Tom.
Tom was a member of the Soldiers of the Cross session (1973-1975) where he met his future wife Patricia (Dunn) who was in the session one year ahead of Tom. Tom was commissioned to Yorkton, Saskatchewan and in January 1976 Tom and Patricia married. While stationed in Yorkton, Tom was first invited to attend an AA Meeting and started a connection with those facing addictions and marginalization by society.
Appointments followed at Regina Glen Elm Park, Toronto Kennedy Park, Toronto Temple, Napanee Corps, Winnipeg Harbour Light and Toronto Harbour Light. During his time at the Toronto Harbour Light, Tom started and led a choir called New Beginnings which was comprised largely of recovering addicts. The choir travelled throughout Ontario sharing their testimonies while ministering through music. Tom especially cherished the people in the choir and the impact that their ministry had on them and the community they served. Tom’s next appointment was to the original, and largest, Harbor Light in Detroit, Michigan. The Detroit Harbor Light managed five different Centres in addition to running a full Corps program. While Tom was always proud of the places and people he ministered with it was the Detroit Harbor Light that held a very special place in his heart. Tom had a passion for working in addictions and with the homeless and underserved members of the community. Through his own life experiences, he was able to be understanding, compassionate and full of grace during his ministry. People were able to relate to Tom; He had a gift of helping people from all walks of life and to guide them to be able to see themselves through the eyes of Jesus. After five short years of service in Detroit, Tom’s health would not allow for his ministry to continue in the United States so Tom and Patricia returned to Canada where Tom shared his expertise and experience in the position of Behavioural Health Consultant in the Social Services Department. Tom was instrumental in upgrading services and programs to reflect today’s needs by bringing forth the “Community Reinforcement Approach.”
Through Tom’s career he has also taught classes at The University of Manitoba, provided lectures to doctors and students at the University of Toronto and was a dynamic President of the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation which recently presented Tom with a lifetime certification award. Regardless of the forum Tom was in, from individual counselling to government and international committees on addictions, Tom’s dedication, knowledge, level of engagement, teamwork and service to his mission raised the profile of those needing help in community.
Tom was a Salvation Army Officer for over 44 years and was proud to wear his uniform wherever he would go. To him, the uniform provided an invitation for people to share their story, ask for prayer, and for Tom to witness for the Lord he loved and served.
Abraham Lincoln famously said: “it’s not the years in your life that count; it’s the life in your years.” Tom’s years were too short, but he was full of life and has been an inspiration for so many people as he leaves us with an incredible legacy.
The family is full of love and pride for all that Tom accomplished, the countless lives that he impacted and touched, and for living out God’s purpose for his life. Tom was a genuine, godly man who was full of love and devotion to his family. Tom is loved and greatly missed by the love of his life Patricia who has been by his side through all the twists and turns of life. Their children Rob and Shannon Champ (Brian) and grandsons Ryan and Nathan have brought laughter, strength and share the same deep love for him as he did for them. Tom was so proud of his grandsons and shared a very special relationship with them both. His sisters, Judy Miller (Eric) and Carol Nemeth (Albert), along with his many nephews and nieces, feel his loss and will miss their calls and his great sense of humour.
Tom poured his heart and soul into his life and living. Tom took this challenge of William Booth as his own:
“While women weep as they do now, I’ll fight
While little children go hungry, as they do now,
While men go to prison, in and out, in and out, as they do now, I’ll fight
While there is a drunkard left,
While there is a poor girl upon the streets
While there remains one dark soul without the Light of God,
I’ll fight - I’ll fight to the very end!”

Tom you are so loved and are now resting in the arms of our Lord and Saviour. Well done thou good and faithful servant.