A famous writer once said, "We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give".
If that is true, then Tom Kessler Sr made a great life. He was the most giving person,
I've heard most from many of Family and Freinds.
Tom Kessler Sr was born (Joseph Thomas Kessler SR) on January 10, 1932, in Santa Monica
He was the oldest child of Joseph Preston Kessler and Louis Fairfield Kessler. From 1932 he lived in 19 different addresses ending in high school at 505 Belle View Blvd. Alexandria Va. in 1950
Tom Kessler went to George Washington High School Va. and graduated, 1 then he claimed his best education was “the Maine Corp.” when finished in then he reenlisted for 2 more years so mom and dad could move to El Sobrante California on the Maine Corps Nickle.
He is in the book “Cold War”
Then he moved the family to Walnut Creek, where mom and Dad built their 1st pool. Then he went to work for Jack Shean Home Improvement company, as an installer and salesman later, He work there for 5 years.
We lived on Oak Rd house for 5 years Here Dad then started his own Home Improvement specializing in Awning and Patio business with his late younger brother Tony Kessler named (Anthony Patio’s) for the next 2 years. Along with his dear friend Marine Corps Colonel Russ Honsowetz shared the property of Sun Crest Furniture company in Walnut Creek,
This is where his children got their 1st experience in sales, Selling Christmas trees during the holidays.
He moved from walnut creek to Paseo Nogales home, Alamo Ca.
He then was recruited by a National Home Improvement company named (Air Vent Company.)
Where he spent his next 6 years as a Northern California General manager, then promoted to Vice President of West Coast Sales where he moved to Los Angeles for the next 2 years 1969-1971.
Dad always had an eye for real estate, and bought the LA County Tax Assessor home,
Built his 2nd swimming pool. The house later became the home of Danny Davito.
They were missing Northern California “ Gods Country” Mom and Dad decided to move back to the Alamo Hill top home on Las Trampas, they sent a letter to Dr. Robnett years before asked if he was interested in selling his house, he said no. they came back and asked again this time he said yes.
In this house they start Bel Aire Engineering. He had 26 employees, 6 offices in the bay area , sold awnings and patio rooms wholesale and retail to northern California.
During this time one of his closest friends Andrew Toti, invented a Aluminum beam for Alcan Aluminum that had 1st royalty on the beam and was hindering is application and uses.
Andrew said Tom Kessler was a "Inventor of applications", my dad encouraged Andrew to improve the beam, hence a new and improved beam called "American Beam" was invented 20% stronger, that my dad owned the royalty on now. Andrew got see his invention grow in uses of the beam where we could be used for floating docks, Bridges - Greenbrier Farms Drawbridge for Quarter horses, 1975 built the largest aluminum freestanding canopy in the world using the American Aluminum beam. Also was famous for building indoor swimming pool enclosures, Featured in Sunset Books on “How to Build pools” and Roman Haus Magazine.
Tom's MARRIAGE with Children, and Grandchildren and GREAT Grandchildren
In 1951 Tom met Eleanor Jeffers and they were married March 6th 1954.
Tom and Eleanor just celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in March 6th 2022.
Soon they had 4 children;
Oldest son -Tom Jr. wife Carla and 3 sons Jason wife Erin (grandchildren Cason and Lily), Blair and Blake, Linda Kessler and sons Thomas and Late Robert, Late Michael and sons Michael and Nolan , and Susan and Tim Clancy, son Tim Jr wife to be Tully.
Our MEMORIES Tom Kessler - Dad and friend
I asked family and friends what they remember most about Dad;
There are so many good memories.
Annual – Paradise Ca. camping trip, Gold panning, and Motorcycle riding.
Vacations with the Clancy’s to Lake Tahoe so many times.
Vacation with the Connolly’s to Hawaii ,
Hoisting Family Reunions Parties.
Company Christmas Parties at the Clairmont Hotel
Hans Anter somebody he could call for advise,
Remembers working with, Tom would leave the office and call from his cell phone to cool his temper. “Anger is the wind that blows out the candle of a reasoning.”
Tom Kessler was a remarkably generous and entertaining. good; thoughtful; hardworking; fun-loving Man.
He was a person of great pride and morals
Above all, Tom Kessler was a Man Honor and humility, highest value was family, morals, and
compassion for others.
He was a person
of great pride and morals
Inventor of applications
Marketer
Dale Carnegie Salesman
He always said; “family is the most important thing in life"
"you get out of life what you put into it"
"A man is known by his deeds not by his words."
“Anger is the wind that blows out the candle of a reasoning.”
“Do something without being asked.”
“Practice Objective versus subjective thinking.”
“Do it right the
first time.”
“Look for
Responsibility in the mirror”
“Maybe you
didn’t want it enough.”
“Look ahead in
business same as in motorcycle riding.”
“Reflect” on good to repeat and bad to do better.
These are words of wisdom that I will always cherish.
Thank you for being part of our lives. We are all going to miss you and remember
Dad, Husband, a Brother, dear a Friend and Gentleman!
The Kessler Family will be having a Celebration of Life
October 8th 2 pm, in Danville Ca.
