Thomas Peter Rodgers (17 Jul 1990 - 24 Mar 2018)

Please accept our further condolences at this difficult time

Tom was a highly valued team member who had a great relationship with his other team members and had a great future ahead of him, a journey which had already successfully begun and the path ahead planned.

He is sorely missed by us all at George Utz and especially those with whom he had a very special working relationship.

Reliable, trust worthy, polite, not afraid to speak his mind and make a contribution, and always willing to learn and help others, he was a credit not only to himself but also to Phil and Judith, he is sadly missed by all of us at George Utz.

From all at Sytner Sheffield

In 2010 Tom asked me to help him find a job. He had worked at a number of places since leaving school but had not really found his niche. Like many young people who know that university is not for them, he was not clear in what he wanted to do in the world of work. His work as a “sandwich artist” (his words not mine!), at Subway was understandably not interesting enough for Tom but he didn’t have much confidence in what other roles he could apply for.
I could see he was inquisitive, polite, intelligent, funny and if as I thought, also hard working, then I was sure he would make an excellent employee. I recommended him to Paul the Production Manager at Loadhog in Sheffield saying he is a good lad who needs some guidance, and Paul who could also see Tom’s potential took him on as a Production Operator. He showed a real interest in the technical side of his work and became proficient in Injection Moulding. Tom had found his niche.
Having known his Parents for over 30 years Les and I followed Tom’s progress from afar; We heard of his house moves and holidays, his progress from riding a bike to work to buying his BMW. We saw from a distance that he had grown from an awkward, under confident teenager to a self-assured, gregarious, young man that any parents would be proud of.
Although we didn’t know him as well as his family and friends did, we are certain that the lives of those he knew and loved are richer for knowing Tom. Our thoughts are with Judy & Phil, Kate & Dave and his other family and friends at this most difficult time.

My annoying little brother.

First I loved you because I had to. However, I soon loved you because it was impossible not too. You got away with murder because you were far too cute and cheeky- you made it so hard to be cross with you for long.

I have loved so many versions of you- the little baby, the cute toddler, the tubby pre-teen (I know, not in a position to judge!) and the thinks-he’s-too-cool teen. The grown-up Tom was my favourite by far- I’m not sure I ever told you how proud I was of you. However, I certainly told many other people about how great you were.

I’ll miss reminding you of occasions (although you were getting pretty good at remembering them for yourself and definitely got the brownie points this Mother’s Day) and wrapping gifts for you. You still owe me a birthday present.

I’ll miss having someone to roll my eyes at when Dad is having another pessimistic rant or Mom is moaning about your mucky finger marks on the fridge.

Your nephews will miss playing games with you and (in the newborn phase) you holding them awkwardly for the obligatory photo before you could hand them back. I’m really sorry you didn’t get to meet George. But I’ve added your name as one of his middle names.

I’ll make sure the boys know about their Uncle Tom (even if I try to avoid giving them ideas about your naughty behaviour- they are enough of a handful as it is).

Playing monopoly at Christmas won’t be the same without you. There’s something about beating your sibling at board games that can’t be replicated....it must be a deep-rooted sibling rivalry thing.

I will miss being your more boring, definitely less cool older sister. Because part of who you were also defined who I was. And now I’m just me.

I just feel blessed for having you around while we did and I’ll always love you. But because I want to. Not because I have to.

My precious son, you left me too soon. You will be in my heart forever.
Love you always
Mom X

Goodbye son. You made me so proud of you.Love you always.