In recent years he became known to more and more Bears as the proprietor of Annie Miller's pub in Glasgow city centre, with his missus Flo (who sadly preceded him six months ago) in day to day charge - in fact she was so in charge she actually barred him from his own pub!
The service at Masonhill Crematorium wasn't just filled to the gunwales - there were so many people there the aisle was filled from front to back six abreast with yet more people outside in the foyer and spilling out of the building altogether.
A very moving tribute from his oldest son and the minister Helen Walker brought together the many strands of Tommy's life - his pride in his family's achievements, his work for charity, his love of the Orange and Masonic brotherhoods, and his love of the Rangers.
On a day of tears fro some it was a day of smiles for most of us as we remembered our wee smiling pal for whom a favour was never a burden and never looked for in return. His brothers from LOL 440 were there in strength as were the Masons from Lodge St Mark's to pay tribute.
A cooper by trade Tommy ended up owning the Ibrox Cooperage before it moved to Ruchill, it was said his skill was such he could build a barrel blindfolded. A series of shrewd business and property deals made Tommy a wealthy man but it was a wealth he shared and was grateful for rather than snooty about.
Tommy was such a Rangers man even his beloved bagpipes were decked out in Rangers tartan. And that love of music wasn't a passing one - one of his proudest achievements was to be appointed the Queen's piper during a whisky industry event - and he got the position on merit.
A couple of stories I'd like to share with you sum up Tommy's sense of fun.
In his work for the Orange Order he was in charge of getting the Order's Christmas cards made - being Tommy he found a place in Hong Kong which could make musical ones with a little battery and speaker in them so that when they were opened they played "The Sash." He bought them in bulk to supply for a a few years and stored him in a corridor in his works - obviously a few were a bit wonky or the boxes got kicked so he said it was one of his pleasures in life to work where the Sash as being played 24 hours a day! I was up seeing him one day and sure enough the rumours were true - from the boxes packed either side of the corridor the Sash was belting out.
Some Bears talk about getting Ibrox or their gardens planted with blue grass. Tommy did it.
On a business trip to the States to buy barrels - the Yanks have to use new oak to get Federal approval for bourbon and Tommy bought the old ones for use in Scotland - as well as the barrels he came how with 300 weight of blue grass seeds which he used himself and freely gave to friends to try. Sadly, our summers aren't hot enough or our winters cold enough to suit blue grass, but Tommy didn't wonder about it - he got up and tried it for himself.
Goodbye Tommy - it was a pleasure to have known you.
Twilight and evening bell,
And after that the dark!
And may there be no sadness of farewell,
When I embark;
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
The flood may bear me far,
I hope to see my Pilot face to face
When I have crost the bar.