Tomás (Tommy) Rowsome

So Sorry to hear of Tommy's Passing. My thoughts are with Tommy's Family right now. The Memories of Glenalbyn come flooding back as if they were only yesterday. My Dear friend
I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you gave us over the years. You gave nothing but Joy and Happiness and simply put Tommy you are the nicest Person I have ever had the pleasure
to meet. Our times together will stay with me for ever. I often speak of you to friend's and Work Mates about my times with the Gentle Genius ( Tommy Rowsome ) God Bless you Tommy and now is your time to rest. R.I.P. My Special Friend.

Sincere sympathy to the extended Rowsome family on the death of Tommy. I was privileged to know him over an extended period. My uncle had a garage on Thomas Street and knew Tom Rowsome senior well. I used to see Tommy junior there with other members of his family in the shop. I also knew Tommy while he lived in Laverna Grove and later in table tennis competitions where he was very involved in table tennis and my family were very keen players. Tommy had an amazing mind full of astounding detail but above all, he was a decent man and always a joy to meet. He will be sadly missed.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam

Tommy coached my dad Tom and uncle Kevin in Glenalbyn, and although I had none of their skill and talent, he welcomed me into the fold at the DFRC decades later. Full of enthusiasm and passion, he lavished us all with praise and positivity and his good humour was infectious. He taught us so much more than how to play a sport, he modelled kindness, a generosity of spirit and how to enjoy life, something far more valuable than any possible successes on the table. You may only reflect on these things when you are older, but Maja Angelou is right, people will never forget how you made them feel. When I think of Tommy I feel warmth, and I feel kindness. My dad too always fondly spoke of Tommy, and it is quite incredible just how many people, across multiple generations he has touched. My family and I have much to thank Tommy for and I thank you Tommy for it all. Rest in peace Tommy, you leave a legacy of warmed hearts behind you.

Deepest sympathy to the Rowsome Family on the passing of Tommy. I played table tennis in DFRC many years back and I am forever thankful for everything he created at that club. He made it a great place to be, not only for playing the game, but for the laughs and general good humour that he generated. His influence on me and on table tennis in Ireland will never be forgotten. Thanks Tommy rest in peace.

So sorry to hear about Tommy passing, I have great memories from spending time in his company in DFRC and St Benildus in the 90’s. Tommy coaching in Benildus was actually the main reason I wanted to go to that school! He kept us all entertained and mad to come back and play Table Tennis every time. Always encouraging us and keeping everything easy going and great fun. RIP Tommy

My uncle and godfather Tomas. A brilliant man who treated me as if I was one of his own. I was never left wanting for anything. He brought me on my first trip out of the country to see my beloved Liverpool as a birthday gift, kept me and my siblings (which for some reason we all had bizarre nicknames, even my own kids now have nicknames) entertained in Courtown year on year burying money in the sand for us to find, to use in the amusements later on that night. He coached me at table tennis, even though I was of no use. He was like a human encyclopedia. As kids he would give me the answers to all his questions, and then asked them the next day to all the boys on the road, hoping that I would rattle off the answers, which was never the case, even at that he would still give me hints. All he wanted was for me and children of the area was to enjoy life through some sort of sport, and I believe and hope that many people would have benefited from his enthusiasm for this

One thing that Tomas loved was dates and he left us all with a date we will never forget 12/05/21. RIP Tomas. Sleep tight.

Tommy Rowsome. What can I say.  As soon as I started, I realised how difficult it is to put in to words, how important Tommy was for table tennis and all the kids who had the luck to have met him.
The summer of 1973. My first day at Glenalbyn TTC. The small hall was packed. There was shouting and screaming and laughing. And in the middle of it was Tommy, the pied piper. He was coaching, telling stories and chuckling. Kids were lined up waiting their turn. They all had funny nicknames. They were all brilliant according to Tommy. He seemed to remember exactly how many backhands they got on the table the day before. I didn't have the nerve to try that first day. Tommy saw me hiding in the wings and encouraged me to come back the next day. I did and every day after that for a couple of years.
What was it about Tommy? He created the atmosphere for kids to thrive. It wasn't table tennis that got me to go back to the hall after that first day. It was the excitement I felt. That excitement was because of the atmosphere and the atmosphere was created by Tommy. There was encouragement, positivity, fun and stories. His world was a magical world, where everything was possible, a world full of dreams, where you could reach for the stars. We will not see the likes of him again’.
Rest in peace Tommy.    

Sincere sympathy to all the Rowsome family on the death of Thomas. Good memories of when we worked in Telecom. It was always good to be in his company. May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to the Rowsome family on the death of your brother Tomás. May he Rest In Peace. ( my late mother Kathleen O Connell and your mother Maureen were cousins ).

Condolences to all the Rowsome family.. Tomás’s passing brought back fun memories of Lavarna and Glennane days. May he RIP.

Deepest sympathy to the Rowsome Family on the passing of Tommy. His contribution to Table Tennis in Glenalbyn was extraordinary and will be remembered for a long time to come. May he rest in peace.

Tommy was a very gentle soul may he rest in peace

Our sincere condolences to Gemma, Deirdre, Ciaran and family on the sudden passing of your dear brother. Tommy was so good to us when where we young. We often measured the distance between our house and his to see if we could fit a Table tennis table there. He loved all sport and encouraged us to play or even watch. RIP Tommy

Sincere condolence to the Rowsome family. Tommy coached Jonathan in DFRC. He was a lovely man and will be sadly missed by all those who knew him.

Sincere sympathy to all the family at this sad time. May Tomàs rest in peace.

So sorry to hear about Tommys passing, always have memories of chatting to him about table tennis, and different sports. He was always very kind to us, along with Gemma. May rest in peace.

Tommy was a true gentleman and a fantastic person and great coach so many happy memories in glenalbyn table tennis club stillorgan and all our trips in Ireland and Europe .There will never be another person like tommy a true icon thanks for everything .may his gentle soul rest in peace thinking of you all at this sad time rip tommy

Sincerest condolences to the Rowsome family. I played table tennis in DFRC for many enjoyable years and was so lucky to have known him. The kindest, most generous man who we were all so fond of. A true gem.

Sorry for your loss

So sad to hear that Tommy has passed away...I have great experiences of playing under Tommy in Glenalbyn what he did for Glenabyn Table tennis will never be repeated by anybody...a brilliant coach and a thorough gentleman.
May he rest in peace

Remember Tommy when he worked in Eircom. He was always very friendly and greatly respected by all his work colleagues. Deepest sympathy to all the Rowsome family. May he Rest in Peace.

Sincere sympathy to all the family on the passing of Tommy . He was a colleague of mine in Eircom where indeed he played a big part in setting up a table tennis club in the international telephone exchange. He was a real gentleman . May he rest in peace.

Deepest sympathy to all his family and extended family and friends on the death of dear Tommy. He left a wonderful legacy and will be greatly missed. May he Rest in eternal Peace.

Deepest sympathy to Gemma, Deirdre, and all the rowsome family.tommy was a true gentleman.mày he rest in peace.

Owen and sylvia wall

I remember playing against Tommy's players many times as a teenager. Tommy was always so encouraging and positive, no matter what club you played for. I always looked for Tommy at the tournaments as he was so interesting to talk with. I remember him coaching me on a Leinster B team when I was very young and he helped us all to really enjoy the experience. He was an inspirational coach and a wonderful person and will be sadly missed.

What a fantastic person. Anytime I think of Tommy a smile comes across my face. Irish Table Tennis were so lucky to have such a coach and mentor. May he rest in peace.

Very sorry to hear of Tommy's passing. So many great memories of our trips to various tournaments around Ireland and the UK.
Condolences to the Rowsome family.
RIP Tommy.

Sincere sympathy to Ciaran and the Rowsome family on the loss of Tomas

Our sincere sympathy to all the Rowsome family on the death of Tomas.

Deepest sympathies to the Rowsome family.
Tommy was a wonderful person who willingly gave his time to coaching so many junior players.
He has left a lasting legacy in Irish table tennis and will be sadly missed.

Very sad to hear of Tommy's passing. He was one of the first people I met in table tennis in the 60s and I visited him regularly in his shop in Thomas St. I will always carry very fond memories of Tommy. Rest in Peace friend and condolences to Gemma and all his family.

R I P Tommy great memories from our table tennis days a true gentleman .

Tommy was a fantastic person and a wonderful Table Tennis Coach, giving so much of his time to coaching us in Glenalbyn in the 70's. A man who always had time for everyone. I have such wonderful memories of those days. My sincere condolences to the Rowsome family.

My Sincere Condolences to the Rowsome Family on the passing of Tommy. He was a great ambassador & coach for table tennis in Glenalbyn, DFRC and Leinster I have great memories of Tommy in my days in Glenalbyn He was a great sportsman and character. Thanks for the memories. RIP Tommy.

My deepest sympathies to all the family. I have fond memories of tomas in beechlawn over the years. He was a lovely man. Thinking of you all xxx

I greatly admired and respected Tommy from the first time I met him in the mid 70s. Condolences to all who knew him. Rest in peace Tommy.

We are sad to hear of Tommy's death. He was a lovely man, so generous with his time. Great memories of his time with DFRC and all those trips to compete in Clontarf.
Sincere condolences to the family, he will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Tommy.
Grania & Joe Lynch.

Sad to hear that Tommy Rowsome has passed away. I remember him as a major figure in Dublin table tennis circles back in the sixties and seventies. That period may have been the heyday of table tennis popularity in Dublin with multiple clubs and weekly American tournaments in the old Crofton club near St Andrew St. May Tommy rest in peace and condolences to his family.

I would like to offer my condolences to all the Rowsome family on the death of Tommy. I knew him as a boy in Glenanne in the early sixties where he endlessly coached the juniors at Table Tennis. Chatting away and lobbing every conceivable shot back. He formed some of us into a league team and we won our division's Leinster Cup down in Trinity College. It seemed like the whole club was there supporting us. Tommy and Paul Murray took us back to the Del Essen in Tenenure to celebrate. Great memories made possible by a lovely man.

Paul Moore
Past President
Glenanne Sports Club

Gemma we are so sorry to hear of Thomas death please give our sincer condolences to your family

Condolences to Rowsome Family on Tommy's passing.

I'm very sorry to hear about Tommy's death, my sincere condolences to the Rowsome famy and to all who knew Tommy.
I have very fond memories of him from the late '80's &' 90's - he was a lovely man who always very generous with his time. We were lucky to know him.
Rest in peace Tommy.

Really sad to hear about Tommy's passing. He was a wonderful coach and a beautiful, gentle soul. Tommy was extremely kind, supportive and patient with all the young people in his charge, making each training session light hearted and fun while at the same time passing his expertise on effectively. We were truly lucky to have known him.

My deepest condolences to the Rowsome family on the passing of Tommy. He was an excellent table tennis coach and gave great service to Leinster and Irish table tennis over many years and also to his club Glenabyn TTC where he produced several International table tennis players. A true gentleman and an icon in our sport, may he rest in peace.

Tony Martin, President Table Tenmis Ireland

Tommy was a fantastic guy and a brilliant coach. He was such a kind man and gave every minute of his spare time to coaching the youth in the Stillorgan /Kilmacud area and at no cost. I have such fantastic memories of those times. He will be sadly missed, and my sincere sympathies to all his family,

Our deepest sympathy to Ciaran, Mary, and Family and extended Rowsome Family on the passing of your Dear brother Tomas. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Thinking of you all at this sad time.

RIP Tommy. Some great times in the Dundrum Table Tennis club and on our trip to Market Drayton in England in 1992

Sincere sympathy to Deirdre ,Gemma and all Rowsome family. Rest in Peace Thomas.

A good man. Gave so much of his time to others.

A good man. He gave so much of his time to others.

Our sincerest condolences to Gemma, Maureen, Therese-Celine, Deirdre, Sean, Padraig, and Ciaran, on the very sad loss of their loving brother, and also our condolences to your extended family, Tomas was a very kind, and vibrant person and a pleasure to be in his company. May he rest in peace. "Peace, Perfect Peace". Michael and Denise.

Sincere sympathy Deirdre, Gemma and family on the passing of your brother Tomàs may he RIP
Tom, Mary, Orla and Ciara Sheehy

A lovely man who I will remember fondly. Was a legend coach at Glenalbyn TT.

Condolences to the Rowsome family on the passing of Tommy. We have great memories of table tennis tournaments with Tommy providing expertise and encouragement. He was such a generous man with the time he gave to young people. He was also great company with a fund of stories. May he rest in peace

Rest in peace Tommy. You will be sadly missed by all Table Tennis fans

Sad to hear of the death of Tomas, he was such a kind man and such fun at any gathering. May he rest in Peace.

RIP Tommy

Brings back great memories of football & subbuteo in your house in Lavarna, always so welcoming later in Glenanne Sports Club, you were some table tennis player.

My deepest condolence to his family.

Jimmy Leonard
Honorary Life Member
Glenanne Hockey Club

Sincere condolences to all the Rowsome family. Tommy was my first table tennis coach in DFRC and what an amazing coach he was. He encouraged and supported everyone with so much fun and laughter. Many fond memories that will be cherish forever. RIP Tommy

I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Tommy. He was a great table tennis coach to me in DFRC in early to mid 90s. He had a lovely manner and was a great ambassador for the sport. RIP Tommy x

Tommy was the engine behind table tennis in our Club and in giving so much to a generation of children contributed hugely to Kilmacud Crokes GAA Club - he is very fondly remembered in Glenalbyn and our Club - Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a h'Anam dílis.