Obituary: Tom Greenstein, 1970-2011
Tom Greenstein, born May 25, 1970, passed away on Dec. 15. Tom is survived by one brother, Vince, as well as by three sisters Sharon, Laura and Lisa.
Tom grew up in Agua Dulce, Calif., and moved to Mammoth in September 2005. Our brother was determined to make something of himself. He surpassed that and then some. Tom was the most giving, big-hearted man we have ever known. He was very devoted to others. He was not only loved by us, but also was loved by the Mammoth Community. He will truly be missed!
A golden heart stopped beating, hard working hands now at rest. God broke our hearts to prove to us, “He only takes the best.”
A gathering will be held at St. Moritz Villas, the property Tom managed, on Meridian Blvd. on Dec. 28 from 2-7 p.m. to honor him.
A memorial fund has been set up at Eastern Sierra Community Bank. Donations will help the family with Tom’s final expenses. Donations can be made in person at any branch or mailed to any branch location. Make checks payable to FBO Thomas Greenstein Memorial Fund. Any questions regarding the fund can be directed to Michelle Wollmann at 760.709.6963.
–The Greenstein Family
There is some news I receive that takes me a few read-throughs to digest because I just don’t quite believe it.
The news of Tom Greenstein’s death was one of these occasions.
Tom was renowned for the social events he would throw in the St. Moritz rec room – he’d invite anybody and everybody, buy and prepare all the food.
As good friend Doug Hornbeck said, “He touched a lot of hearts.”
Tailwaggers owner Lyn Dunlap suggested the Mammoth Times make Tom its Person of the Year a few years back when the paper was soliciting nominations for the award.
“I suggested him because he did so much, unselfishly, out of his own pocket [for other people].”
Hornbeck added, “You had to sneak your credit card in just to pay a bill [if you were with Tom].”
Dunlap recalled a recent event where her partner Buck decided to go four-wheeling out at Shady Rest early one morning and promptly got stuck.
Tom was the only person Lyn could think of to call. It was 6 a.m. and Tom didn’t even know Buck. It didn’t matter. He went right out to rescue him.
Hornbeck said he got to know Tom through his parties at the St. Moritz – he’d always seen these flyers and one day just decided to show up and they immediately hit it off.
It was through Tom that Hornbeck decided to try snowmobiling and even ended up buying a sled from Greenstein.
Hornbeck has never gone out snowmobiling with anyone other than Tom. In the days after his death, Hornbeck wondered,”Am I just gonna sell this snowmobile now?”
Greenstein was quite the daredevil on his sled and liked to record almost everything. YouTube Tom Greenstein snowmobiling to witness just a few of his exploits.
–Lunch
Tom Greenstein was the most generous man I have ever met. The year we bought our condo at St. Moritz we had gotten to know Tom through all of the home improvement projects we had to do weekend after weekend. He was always willing to help on any project that we had going. Well, fast forward to Christmas week later that year. We packed up the kids and headed up to Mammoth arriving late into the night on Christmas. When we got up to our unit, much to my chagrin, we had found a family staying in our place! Yep, a scheduling snafu resulted in our unit being booked by the rental company and us with no place to go. In fact, the only place we could find was a motel in Bishop. Well, here it is 11pm at night during the busiest week in Mammoth and as we were ready to head down to Bishop, Tom came out and insisted, even begged, us to stay in his house! Not only that, he then insisted that my wife and I stay in his room! He then put my kids in his guest room and Tom took the couch. I, of course, tried to push back to have us stay on the couch, but he would have none of it. That’s the kind of guy he was. He did these things out of the kindness of his heart; never asking for anything in return.
I miss him already. No one had a bigger heart. Rest in peace, Tom. The world needs more guys like you.
Goodbye to another great man, see you in heaven tom!!!
My condolences to his brother Vince, nephew Jeffery and three sisters. Tom was a wonderful guy, very sweet, caring and handsome. I can’t believe this happened….. Tom will always live in my memory and heart. love you Tommy.
Yolanda
Tom will truly be missed. We met Tom one summer and have been going to St.Moritz each year ever since. My last memory of Tom was with my brother in law, we had a jam session in the St.Moritz rec room. He really enjoyed our impromptu rendition of Cheap Trick covers. We’ll always remember Tom.
We miss you Tom,
Your OC friends, Jeff and Family
here’s a link to Tom’s favorite song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jq6gLMFBQA&feature=related
I was very said to hear of his passing. Stayed at the St. Moritz about six times and each time Tom was always there offering his help and checking on whether everything was ok with the unit we were staying in. Just a really considerate and generous person, he will be missed.
does anyone know where he’s grave site?