THOMAS NORTON BREMBLE
Thomas Norton Bremble, resident of Kiawah Island, SC and Doylestown, PA
succumbed to complications from pneumonia on March 14, 2014. He was 74 years
old. Tom is survived by his wife Nancy, his sons Thomas Jr. and Christopher,
grandchildren Kathryn and Andrew and his brother Ted.
In lieu of a public memorial, the family asked to share their remembrances of Tom:
Tom was born Thomas Norton Bremble to Alfred F. Bremble and Christine Norton
Bremble on January 15,1940 in Plainfield, NJ. An Eagle Scout, he attended Plainfield
elementary and secondary schools and graduated from University School in Shaker
Heights, OH- During secondary school, both in Plainfield and at US, he proved to be
an outstanding football player. Later he graduated from Denison University,
Granville, OH where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
Tom's entire career was spent in sales and marketing in the field of flexible
packaging where he became a highly-regarded specialist and pioneer. He worked for
a number of US Corporations, including Continental Can, Chase Bag, American
Packaging...retiring as senior vice president of sales, The Bemis Company, Inc.
Tom married his wife Nancy-they met on a blind date- in 1964 and three years later
had the first of their two sons, Tom Jr. Their second son, Christopher, followed in
1970. The family moved from Chagrin Falls, OH to Doylestown in 1976 and settled
into the community. Tom and Nancy later built a second home on Kiawah Island.
Often on the road for work, Tom was happiest at home-either Doylestown or
Kiawah-surrounded by family and friends, organizing the garage, mowing the lawn
[making sure the lines were straight if someone else did it], coaching his son's
soccer team or playing golf at Doylestown Country Club, Evenings were spent
grilling burgers on the patio or relaxing beside the fireplace with a cocktail, music
emanating from the living room, the family's Irish Setter nearby. He was always
'family first', taking attendance ahead of holidays, making sure everyone was at the
table for dinner, dressed for church, packed and ready for vacations. Tom made sure
the boys had new shoes ahead of a job interview, gas in the tank, money in their
pocket, and the benefit of his encouragement He was our captain, our compass and
our hero, making sure the details of our lives were checked and double checked:
that we were safe, healthy, secure and hopeful.
Tom lived a deliberate life and wasn't easily swayed; cocktails at 5 pm, whether on
the road in Ireland, in a boat on the Chesapeake or enjoying nature on the back
porch in Kiawah. He preferred everything in its right place, lining up cigarette butts
in his ashtray, keeping everything on his desk at right angles and making sure the
family arrived in time to secure his favorite pew at Doylestown Presbyterian
Church. His closest friends were few but friends for life; the gourmet club, the golf
gang, the tennis group, the annual pilgrimage to Penn State. His heart-large by any
measure-was full of integrity, warmth and sentiment, but above all it was a private
heart: those who had the privilege to enter felt his grace and kindness. His love anchored
by 48 years of marriage to Nancy-was gentle and boundless. Husband,
father, brother and friend, he will be achingly, lovingly missed. We were so
fortunate to have had our time with him.
The family wishes to acknowledge Dr. Richard Kondan and the nurses in Acute Care
at Doylestown Hospital for their kindness and care during this time. Donations in
Tom's memory may be made to Doylestown Hospital, Development Office, 595 W.
State St. Doylestown PA. 18901
A private memorial will be held in Doylestown in the near future-the date and time
to be determined.