Thomas Nomina's Obituary
Tom Nomina, a true NFL original and Miami of Ohio Hall of Famer, died this month in the comfort of his loved ones. He was 77 years old.In rural Delphos, Ohio, December 1941, Thomas John Nomina was born to parents Alice and Elmer Nomina. It was there he cultivated a lifelong passion for agriculture growing up on the family farm, learning the merit of a hard day’s work and gaining a deeper understanding of how the world worked around him.He attended high school at St. John’s Catholic School where he played Blue Jay basketball and football, graduating in 1959 with a full ride football scholarship to Miami of Ohio. Wasting no time making a name for himself, Tom was First Team All-MAC in 1961 and 1962, and played for the winning college all-star team that upset the Green Bay Packers in 1963.With a rising football career, Tom was a 2nd round draft pick for the L.A. Rams and Denver Broncos. It would be the Broncos who won the towering, 6’4”, 270- pound defensive tackle, awarding him the first signing bonus in the team’s history. After three years (1963-1965) of playing for Denver, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1966, as an original member of the team’s first years in the ALF. Laying the foundation for the ‘Perfect Season’ that came shortly after his retirement in 1968, Miami fans continued to root for him long after hanging up his jersey.Off the field, Tom built a beautiful life with his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Beecher. In 1962, they married in their hometown at St. John’s Catholic Church and stayed inspiring partners for the next 57 years. After a lifetime of adventures, raising a family, starring on a gameshow — and winning, and owning a successful bar and restaurant in Hollywood, Tom and Liz never lost the spark that brought them together. Liz was the love of his life, and he never missed an opportunity to steal a kiss.After retiring from football, Tom was eager to reconnect with his true passion, agriculture. Farming was in his blood, something that stuck with him from his time back in Ohio working with his father. So he moved his family to Loveland, Colorado where they would own and operate a farm on the Big Thompson River for the next 25 years. Tom loved to tinker, and his spirited connection to agriculture kept him ever learning about various emerging techniques and industries. Even after retiring to their home in Estero, Florida, he still found ways to stay involved — heading back to Colorado in the spring to help his son Tony dig trees, or traveling to Ohio to help his brother John with the harvest.At home, Tom spent his time supporting the local college’s basketball team, reading, tinkering, and fishing. For him, there was nothing better than being on the boat with Liz watching her catch a hammering Jack Fish. Tom was so full of life, and a true entertainer. He wanted everyone who visited to have the best experience, whether that was tracking down dolphin in the boat for the kids to see, giving you the best seat in all of Florida with a sunset cruise, or making sure the pool temp was just right no matter the time of year. He always had a trick up his sleeve. It filled him up for everyone around him to be having the time of their life. He loved a good practical joke, and was so named ‘The Phantom’ for his antics.Tom’s true legacy, and the thing he was passionate about above all, was his family. He is survived by his wife Liz, his three children Beth, Diana and her husband Octavio, Tony and his wife Barbara. His eight grandchildren Bailey, Tanner, Alexa, Andres, Taylor, A.J., Caly and Robert. Tom was also lucky enough to have three great grandchildren Maddox, Chase, and his family’s most recent addition, great grandson Tate Thomas. He is also survived by his siblings Helen, Carol, Susan, John and his wife Arlene and numerous nieces and nephews.For those who knew Tom, the void left in his absence is the way his personality filled up a room. There are never enough words to say how much someone’s life meant, but Tom’s tremendous impact on this world will live on through those he cherished.The Inurnment will be held on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens, 1589 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers, FL 33907, at 12:00 noon. A reception to celebrate Tom will follow from 1:30 – 5:30 at Doc Ford’s, 3211 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931.
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