Thomas Joseph Ambrose, 63, died Dec. 23, 2012, after a heroic battle with cancer.

Tom was born Dec. 9, 1949, in New York City to Josephine Romanow Ambrose and John Francis Ambrose. At the age of 2 he moved to Johnstown, PA, where he spent much of his childhood. He then moved to Loudoun County with his family as a teenager and graduated from Loudoun Valley High School in Purcellville.
He joined the U.S. Army in February 1970 and attended the U.S. Army’s Prep School Program at West Point. After a tour in Vietnam he was honorably discharged. He then decided to continue his education at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

Tom’s professional life was centered on helping people, particularly those individuals with disabilities. He began his professional career more than 30 years ago with a position at the Adult Day program in the Purcellville Community Center, which is now known as Friendship House, and served as a supervising technician there for ten years. He then worked as a group home supervisor at the Potomac Terrace, Marshall and Sterling Group Homes. After continuing his education, he then moved on to become the MR Residential Programs manager for the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services in Loudoun County. He retired after 30 years of professional service.

Tom was always very involved with the people he served and made the comment that “the most rewarding moments are when I run into people now that I have worked with 10-15 years ago and see that they have become productive citizens.” Tom’s concerns and interests in people were also demonstrated by his teaching of leadership courses for the Carnegie Institute and his certifications in First Aid, CPR, and as a CPI instructor.

Tom was a fitness enthusiast and enjoyed walleyball, lifting weights and general fitness activities. He also loved to read and travel. In fact, one of his dreams was to open a bookstore in New Zealand. Tom’s coworkers described him as “a steady, friendly, dependable, diplomatic person and an enigma with a dry sense of humor.” He will be missed.

Tom leaves behind his brother John Ambrose and his wife, Judy; nephew Zachary Ambrose; niece Caroline (Carrie) Ambrose; grand-niece Catherine Ambrose; and grand-nephew John Ambrose. He also leaves a sister, Debra-Jo Fowler, of Texas. He is also survived by his close and dear friends, Judy and David Zamory of Purcellville and his dear special friend Pamela Potts, also of Purcellville.

A funeral service will be held for Tom’s family and very dear friends at Loudoun Funeral Chapel at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. Burial with military honors will follow at Lovettsville Union Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Inova Loudoun Hospital, Intensive Care Unit, 44045 Riverside Pkwy Leesburg, VA 2176, or to any program that provides services to animals in need of rescue.

Please share condolences with the family at www.LoudounFuneralChapel.com.

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