Thomas Roy Mack, DVM (1935 - 2023)
Thomas Roy Mack, D.V.M., age 88, passed away on Saturday, November 25, 2023 in San Diego, Ca.
Tom was born on the 8th of Febuary 1935 in Valley City, Ohio to the late John and Cecile (nee Reck) Mack. Tom grew up in Valley City and went to Liverpool School for all 12 grades. He was dedicated to sports playing football, basketball and baseball at Liverpool High School. His love for animals began at a an early age. His family owned Mack’s Lazy T Ranch where Tom successfully raised and showed ponies. The ponies were used for pony rides at fairs all over NE Ohio. Tom received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture (1957) and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (1961) from The Ohio State University. Upon graduation, he entered private practice where he owned and operated Bayshore Animal Hospital in San Mateo, Ca. for over 35 years. He was honored by the American Animal Hospital Association as well as named “Outstanding Practitioner of the Year”.
Tom was distinguished not only for his large and valued animal practice serving the extended community of the San Mateo area, but also for his dedication and service to his professional and local communities in extensive and selfless ways for decades. He was the founding president of the San Mateo Foster City Community Education Foundation. He served on the City Council for four years and was elected Mayor of San Mateo in 1990. As Mayor, Tom and his fellow council members financed and built a new public library, renovated and built fires stations, completed plans to build a new police station and rebuilt the municipal golf course.
After his retirement from his veterinary practice, Tom resided in Shanghai for a couple year. During this time he was able to fullfill his passion for travel as well as get to know the world. Upon returning to the United States, he moved to San Diego, where he stayed and continued his commitment to service.
Tom’s commitment to service led him to become integrally involved in the founding and support of Alliance for Smiles. Alliance for Smiles is an organization that provides comprehensive treatment for cleft lip or cleft palate anomalies in underserved parts of the world.
Through Tom's volunteer and financial support, as well as his service on the Board of Directors, Alliance for Smiles has helped more than 6,000 children.
Dr. Mack became interested in supporting the Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine Global One Health Initiative (GOHi). In his partnership with GOHi, he advised and mentored GOHi students, traveled to Africa on the Global One Health mission as well as provided financial support to One Health initiatives to sustain capacity building effort.
Tom was selected as the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus of the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Although Tom resided in California for the last 60 plus years, he continued to be a devout Cleveland Browns fan and his dedication to Ohio State Buckeyes was unwavering. As he stated many times, once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye.
Tom loved to travel and ensured every minute of his life was filled with hard work and adventure. His dedication to service and education will be deeply missed.
Tom is survived by his loving son Jim, his step children Steve and Janet Legallet, his sister Nancee Visintainer, sisters-in-law Patricia Mack and Barbara Mack and his nieces and nephews, Gregory Smith, Gretchen Checkelsky, Sarah Knotts, Betsy Nespeca, Howard and Doug Mack, John Visintainer and Maria Fellenstein.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, sister Bette Benko, his brother Jack Mack ( John Mack, Jr. ), Richard Mack and his nieces Jill Morton and Jennifer Blossom.
There will be no calling hours or services at this time.
A Celebration of Life will be planned March 23rd, 2024 at Waite & Son Funeral Home.
Waite & Son Funeral Homes Medina Chapel 765 N. Court St. Medina, OH 44256 p: (330) 723-3229 f: 330-723-4448
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