Tom Money, longtime Chula Vista civic activist and businessman, has died.
He succumbed to cancer at the age of 75, at his home in Bonita, on Jan. 5, 2019.
Sailing enthusiast, husband, father, businessman and civic activist Thomas George Money was born at San Diego’s Mercy Hospital on March 3, 1943.
In 1970 he took over the family business, Money Realty, on Chula Vista’s Third Avenue, which his father, Mark H. Money started in 1944.
His civic contributions resulted in a declaration of a “Tom Money Day” in Chula Vista on Aug. 8, 2018. Five mayors of Chula Vista were in attendance to honor him.
“Tom Money was more than a successful businessman and realtor. He had a great sense of community pride and was someone who believed in giving back through volunteerism on a number of boards, commissions, and especially devoting his time and treasure through his leadership and service in our Chula Vista Kiwanis Club. He will be missed,” said Chula Vista Mayor Mary Casillas Salas.
He was a 1961 graduate of Chula Vista High School and attended local elementary schools. Before his life as a businessman took hold, his love of sailing took him around the world after attending Southwestern College. He set off on sailing adventures to Mexico, the South Seas, South Africa, South America, Alaska, and more. His lifelong love of sailing stuck with him through out his life.
“He did a race (Race for Life) with one of the Walton family (Walmart fame) from San Diego to Honolulu,” said Sherry Money, his widow. “The Wednesday before Christmas he went out sailing with a group of friends.”
He met Sherry Seagraves, in August of 1970, on a blind date, and they married three years later, Aug. 25, 1973 in Balboa Park, after what he called a brief courtship.
“We got to live our life to the fullest with family and friends,” she said.
Tom was active in many organizations and groups.
His professional awards as a realtor included Realtor of the Year. He was past-president of the PSA Board of Realtors. He was director for the California Association of Realtors; chairman on all committees for the Association of Realtors; and a board member for the Third Avenue Village Association.
“He took great delight in hooking up first time buyers with a home,” said Sherry.
Graduates of Chula Vista High School in 1961 might remember Money as a photographer for the Spartan Newspaper. He contributed a picture of President Dwight D. Eisenhower for the Senior Year Scroll.
Mr. Money was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, metastatic to the liver, a year ago.
“He got to live each day the best he could. He didn’t dwell on that—(it was) never ‘Why me?’ He was very positive,” she said.
According to his daughter, Colleen, he was behind having the America’s Cup Trophy on display for Harbor Days in Chula Vista.
“He’s going to be missed, no question,” said David “Bud” Wilson, a friend of 30 years. Wilson and Money were called the “The Vesparados,” a vespa scooter-riding duo. Among other adventures, about five years ago they drove down from San Francisco to San Diego on their scooters, Wilson said.
“He had many, many interests,” he said. “He was constantly looking for things to do.”
The day he passed Sherry Money told him: “You were the best blind date I ever had.”
He is survived by wife Sherry, daughters Courtney and Colleen, her husband Matt and grandsons Evan and Zach; sisters Susanna Money of San Diego and Roxanne Money Zunich and her husband, John, of Fresno. He was preceeded in death by his parents Mark H. Money and Jane Milke Money.
A celebration of Tom Money will be held at the San Diego Yacht Club at a yet to be determined date. His ashes will be scattered off the coast of Pt. Loma, according to the family.
