James Thomas "Tom" Booth
April 18, 1941 to January 26, 2026
Obituary
Please note the change in Visitation and Funeral Service dates for Mr. Booth:
For those individuals who are unable to the attend the service for the Late James Booth may view it by clicking on the following link: Chapel Service
Passed peacefully in the comfort of his home in Paradise, NL, on January 26th, 2026, James Thomas “Tom” Booth at the age of 84 years.
He leaves to mourn his wife of 23 years – Michele; his children – Chytra (Craig), Matthew (Nathalie), Linnaea (Joshua), Tomaz (Melissa), Guillerme and Tiago; his stepsons – Jason (Nikki) and Steven (Carlie); his sister – Susan; brothers-in-law – Karl (Denise) and Gary (Angela); grandchildren – Myrica, Emma, Chelone and Kai; step-grandchildren – Clara, Lexi and Rory as well as many other family and friends.
Cremation has taken place.
Public Visitation will take place from Carnell’s Funeral Home, 329 Freshwater Road, St. John’s, NL on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 from 11:30AM-12:30PM. Reverend Susan Sheppard will conduct the Funeral Service from The Carnell Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, February 4th, 2026 at 1:00PM. Interment to follow at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, James Lane.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tom’s memory to the Canadian Cancer Society.
Schedule
Visitations
11:30AM-12:30PM on February 4, 2026
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
funeral
1:00pm, Wednesday February 4th
Carnell’s Funeral Home
329 Freshwater Road
View on Map
My condolences to Michelle and all of Tom’s children and family. I have fond memories of you all, especially our forest foreys and paddling around Payuk lake. He will be missed.
Sincerely,
Jason Robertson
To the Booth and Normore Families,
My wife and I have been fortunate to call the Booth family dear friends for some time… Nay.. They are family.
We have such fond memories of our time spent up north at the cabin, but what truly stays with us is the warmth of Thomas’s company.
In the brief times I had the pleasure of speaking with him, I was always struck by his incredible insight. He had a rare gift for sharing wisdom without ever being belittling; instead, he spoke to encourage and uplift, always seeking to pull you up to the level of potential he saw in you.
Please accept our deepest condolences. We are grieving this profound loss alongside you, and our thoughts are with your entire family.
With sympathy,
Philippe Campagne, Ashley Dorge, and Naomi-Rose Campagne.
Tom was an UMFA and CAUT mentor, and one of the kindest, most generous of those one could wish for. He also had a wry sense of humour which fortified so many of us on several CAUT DF picket lines across the country. Tom always referred to the UMFA office as the Union Hall, and as I recall, pushed hard for UMFA to commission a banner from Carol Condé and Karl Beveridge, which now hangs on our boardroom wall. Tom could also rock a bowtie at a march like no one else. My condolences to Michelle and family. Solidarity forever, Tom.
Thank you Michele, for making this service available. I have missed Tom for some time now. His drive and sincerity helped many of us through trying times. But mostly, I remember his giving nature. Even in casual games he was uncomfortable when winning – something he easily did with several of them. When teaching at St. Mary’s I told my supervisor (Doug Strongman) I was going to U of M. His response was that I had to meet Tom Booth. He did not steer me wrong. We mourn the loss to you and your family. Please accept condolences from both Myrna and myself.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Tom gave interesting and informative seminars on his research in our Department (Entomology) at the University and was a major force in our faculty Association.
I always appreciated conversations I had with him. He will be missed by many in our department and across the University.
Rob Currie
So sorry to hear of your loss. Tom gave interesting and information seminars on his research in our Department (Entomology) at the University and was a major force in our faculty Association.
I always appreciated conversations I had with him. He will be missed by many in our department and across the University.
Rob Currie
I too met Tom through the CAUT Defence Fund when I became a member in 2006. Tom was extremely welcoming – a kind, gentle soul who took me under his wing while I learned from him the importance of solidarity among professors across Canada. I enjoyed Tom’s company at meetings, dinners, and a memorable snow-shoeing trek in the woods around UNBC while on a flying picket. I greatly admired Tom’s indomitable spirit in his work for the Defence Fund. I will miss him and his dry sense of humour. Here’s to you Tom – Solidarity Forever!
I met Tom through the CAUT defence fund. One of the first time I joined the flying picket, he made me get up in front of a 100 people and sing Bread and Roses. I’m not a singer and did not know the song, but who could say no to Tom? I saw how his dedication and hard work made a difference, so i was always happy to help out when he called – even if it meant singing.
My favorite memory of Tom happened after a group of the defence fund regulars went to listen to live jazz after a CAUT meeting. Tom took great delight in finding a hotdog and the subway operating late into the night.
I will always cherish those defence fund moments.
I am so sorry for your loss
It is sad to say farewell to brother Tom. Tom was a mentor, friend, and comrade to me, but his legacy will live on for generations in universities across this country, many of whom will not even know how much they owe him.
Bread and roses!
Ted
Rest in peace Tom. I really enjoyed the many discussions we had on the flying pickets and your great organisational skills in ensuring solidarity. Your achievements on all levels were mighty and Im proud to say you were my friend..
Que en paz descanses, Tom. Your lifelong commitment to solidarity and standing together left a lasting mark on all of us who had the honor of working alongside you. You will be truly missed. My deepest condolences to all your family and friends.
Caterina Reitano
I’ll never forget Tom’s 2015 visit to our first UNBC strike. He walked all day with a huge massive UMFA flag, pausing only to give gentle yet rousing encouragement to nervous first-time picketers. Every time I heard Tom speak on the floor of CAUT Council, every time I met him, it was the same story–a kind and gentle demeanour coupled with a rock-solid commitment to both academic life and unionism. May you rest in peace, Tom. You will be missed by many, but your legacy lives on across the country. Solidarity forever!
Rest in peace Dr. Booth. You were always a pleasure to work with and be around. You will be missed. Condolences to Michele and Family.
Tom… you were one of my very best friends, my mentor, my “big brother”. We shared so much together and apart. Before Payuk Lake, there were the Barn and Maypole Dances, running dogs, pitching horseshoes, travels to concerts and festivals, and the perennial figuring out life’s secrets. You shares books and beers and challenges me to be my best. You gave me (well, “made up” a job studying fungus in the boreal forest… and though you I met Sig where I dropped the microscope and picked up the chainsaw to change the course of my career. You always believed in me, and with your support and encouragement I grew to be a world leader in log construction, never forgetting my roots at Payuk.
You were attentively interested in my friends and family and we all cared and respected you, Tom. Miles and months, years and bouncing home bases for each of us never diminished our connection. I counted you as family, and was blessed to know yours.
Michelle and Chytra especially, but all of you that I connected with over the past 5 decades… I am not a stranger and hope to keep in contact. I look forward to a glass of wine or beer or coffee with any and all of you
Tom, I love you… you made a huge difference in my life, and, well ya know… always a FUNGI (fun guy!!)
I first met Tom when I was 22 years old, when his daughter Chytra brought me home to meet him for the first time. I’ll never forget the look on his face… a mix of doubt and, maybe, a little concern. Looking back now, it makes me smile.
Tom once told me, in his straight-to-the-point way, that I might never be a rich man, but that I would take care of his daughter. That meant more to me than I think he ever realized.
What I loved most about Tom was his blunt honesty, our great conversations, and that magnetic laugh of his. He had a way of speaking that stuck with you.
I gained confidence and determination just by watching how he carried himself and handled things. And beyond that, he welcomed me into the family. I’ll always remember crashing at his house for family dinners, dog sledding in –40 weather with the kids, creating makeshift skating rinks on the river, and him showing up at our wedding in that light blue tuxedo, brilliant, unforgettable Tom.
I have so many wonderful memories that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
Rest in peace, my friend.
Your kind, peaceful smile, has been a comfort to me; Your passion for justice, for defending the vulnerable, for providing for all, including the means to fight against injustice has inspired generations of academics. Having had the chance to walk, even not often enough, at your side, from a unions convention in Zacatecas to so many pickets across Canada, has strengthened my spirit and my determination to keep giving my best to the defence of academic freedom and tenure. Walk strong walk long
Rest in power Brother Booth! Thanks you for all you did academic unions in Canada but for of all thanks for being a great friend and union mentor! Love to Michele and family.
Bread and Roses.
Rest in peace dear friend. You will live on at Payuk, stories around the fire, pancake breakfasts, mushroom picking and scrabble. So many good memories.
Our condolences to the whole family.
Love you grandpa ❤️ your petunia
Our deepest sympathies to Michele and family. Our thoughts and prayers are with through this difficult time.
Rest in peace Dr. Booth! Thank you for your guidance and mentorship all of these years. I look back fondly on our conversations about solidarity, supporting each other in our workplace, and of course mycology! You are missed greatly. My sincerest condolences to Michele, family, and friends.
Rest in peace Tom. You were a larger than life character that influenced many around you. Condolences to Michele , family and friends.
Best,
Gary
Rest in peace Brother Booth! Your commitment to solidarity and the advancement of our profession through collective action are truly inspirational.! You will be missed, though your spirit will live on in perpetuity! My deepest condolences to Michele and all family members..
Sincerely, Jim