Thomas Francis Mines, Jr. was born on September 30, 1956, in Park Ridge (Chicago), Illinois. He passed away in Denver, Colorado on December 23, 2018. Tommy was the second of seven children born to Thomas Francis Mines, Sr. and Nancy Cecelia McHugh Mines. He is survived by two sons, Thomas Francis Mines, III, and Laker James Mines, along with his former wife, Heidi Chase Mines, his father, brothers Mike and Jim Mines, sisters Chris Mines, Kathy Manley and Joan Sego, sister in-law, Julie Walther Mines, brothers in-law Chester Roe III, Steve Sego and six nieces and nephews: Kate Manley, Chet Roe, IV, Michael Mines, Kendal Sego, Grace Mines and Keely Sego. His mother, Nancy, and a sister, Susan Mines, both passed away in 2013.
Tom was 8 years old when his family moved to Boulder, Colorado, in 1964. He attended Sacred Heart of Jesus elementary school, Casey Jr. High, Boulder High School, and the University of Colorado, Boulder (BA, Political Science 1979).
Tom loved sports and was an amazing athlete, his favorites were skiing, tennis, and golf. He landed in Aspen in the early 80’s and stayed to add – mightily – to the town’s ambience and lore over the years. He met Heidi, an Aspen native; they married and raised their two sons in Aspen.
Tom got into speculative home building in Aspen. He later was one of the early speculative home builders at Arrowhead (County Club of the Rockies) in Edwards, Colorado and went on to build homes at the Aspen Glen golf course community in the Roaring Fork Valley.
Tom’s sons were his life treasures. He was amazing with children and always made both day and night fun for his own kids as well as others’ kids. All loved hanging out with him. Some had the privilege of having Tom as their coach for various youth sports teams, many others were introduced to and taught the game of poker by Tom. They all experienced the joy and playful love Tom brought to his interactions with people. ‘Friendly’ doesn’t begin to capture Tom’s gregariousness. His enthusiasm for life was contagious. He will be missed, but we can carry that spirit on in our own lives.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at 11:00 a.m., at the Beaver Creek Chapel in Avon, Colorado, with a reception following the ceremony. All are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, his family welcomes contributions in Tom’s memory to The Denver Hospice or the charity of your choice.
“God Bless, Cheers!”