Thomas F. Simpson

Thomas Frederick Simpson, 72, died on February 28, 2024, of heart failure. Survived by Jun Choi, his husband of 10 years, Tom was the son of Deloris and the late Roy Simpson. Born and raised in RI, Tom graduated in 1970 from Scituate High School, where he was a basketball phenom. He studied biology at RI College before feeling the pull of NYC and making Manhattan his long-term home.

After initial forays into publishing, banking, courier services, and managing a celebrity penthouse, Tom devoted his career to sports and fitness, first as a trainer and ultimately as a multi-licensed sports massage therapist. His services were sought for many years in midtown Manhattan at Bally’s Health Club and, later, at Asphalt Green, in the upper east side.

The sweep of AIDs in the 90s impacted Tom. He cared for and witnessed the passing of many friends. He credited his own survival to Nick Siano, lead author of “No Time to Wait,” who advised him, and Dr. Robert K Gale, who provided Tom for 25 years with holistic, compassionate and effective care.

In his relentless pursuit of health and fitness, Tom was a body-builder and avid swimmer, more than once earning top awards in Central Park’s annual summer swim competitions. The Park’s remarkable landmarks, exhibits, trees and blooms captivated Tom, and he devoted countless hours to photographing and documenting them. He never lost his love for RI’s shoreline and enjoyed day-long runs and swims at East Matunuck Beach whenever visiting his home state.

In addition to his husband Jun, of South Korea, Tom is survived by his mother Deloris Simpson; sister Sally (Simpson) Radford Arsenault and her husband Ronald; nephew Tyler Radford and his wife Alicia; nephew Ryan Radford and his partner Brandy; grandnephews Brandon and Aaron; grandniece Amaia; dear friends Shelley and Richard Graham; Aunt Beth Finnerty; and 12 cousins.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, March 23, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm, with a service at noon, in the PRATA-GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 78 Providence Street, West Warwick, RI. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Central Park Conservancy in Tom’s memory are welcome. (htps://www.centralparknyc.org or 717 5th Ave, New York, NY 10022)

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas F. Simpson, please visit our floral store.