Thomas Henry Vocker
Our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Thomas Henry Vocker, passed away peacefully on May 2nd at his home in Menlo Park. He fought a courageous eight year battle with cancer and continued to fight until his last days. Everyone who knew Tom loved him for his smile and warm sense of humor. He was a wonderful friend, who touched so many people with his kindness and generosity. He was born in San Francisco to Mary Alma and Edward Vocker and attended St. Gabriel Elementary, St. Ignatius Prep High School, City College of San Francisco, and the University of San Francisco. He served in the U.S. Army Reserve for 6 years. He worked for the San Francisco Warriors (in high school), the Del Monte Corporation, and Hewlett Packard. Tom then worked for Hemming Morse, became a CPA, and in 1990 he started his firm, Vocker Kristofferson & Co. in San Mateo, California. Tom was actively involved for many years in San Mateo Rotary, San Mateo Police Activities League, and HIP Housing. He also served on the San Francisco Archdiocesan School Board.
While working at Hewlett Packard, Tom met the love of his life, Diane Schwabacher, and they were married in 1974. Their lives were filled with the love of their 3 children and their spouses: Lisa Vocker and Michael Lofberg of San Francisco, Brian and Pilar Vocker of Portland, and Stephanie and Patrick Filice of Boston; and their 10 beautiful grandchildren: Matthew, Elizabeth, William, and Zachary Lofberg; Isabella, Alejandra, Jackson, and the newest family member, Magdalena Vocker, born on April 18th; and Claire and Thomas Filice. Tom supported his children and grandchildren in their athletic and extracurricular activities - he seldom missed a birthday, ball game, or school function. As a lifelong San Francisco and Peninsula resident, he loved the Giants, 49ers, and Warriors, and all things baseball and golf.
In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Tom is survived by his brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Carolyn Vocker, his mother-in-law Bernice Schwabacher, his in-laws Donna and Jeff Egeberg, and Randall and Kristine Schwabacher, as well as numerous much loved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother John.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, May 17th at St. Gabriel Parish at 11:00am - 2559 40th Ave., San Francisco 94116. To honor Tom’s generosity, his family kindly requests that donations be made to San Mateo Police Activities League (200 Franklin Parkway, San Mateo, CA 94403), St. Anthony’s Padua Dining Room (3500 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025), or Mission Hospice (1670 South Amphlett Blvd., Suite 300, San Mateo, CA 94402).