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Epitaphs

Research workers on the Tommy project were dedicated, highly motivated and, let's face it, rather strange. So, when the cold winds ofAutumn finally came, and vicious downsizing took its toll on the project team, Tommy began to whither and finally die. Many felt the need to put their feelings into words. The following tributes illustrate the strong affection that workers felt for Tommy:

PM wrote:

"It is with the deepest regret that I have to inform you all that Tommy passed away at 15:45 this afternoon. Unfortunately there was no one left to care for Tommy and his leaves were becoming increasingly yellow. In his final moments Tommy felt no pain. He was lovingly transported to his final resting place: the skip at the back of North Site, where he was lovingly laid to rest next to some grass clippings.

At this sad time we should not grieve excessively. Tommy would have wished us to remember happier times in room 107 when Liz and Steve catered for his every need. Tommy missed Liz very much, and when Steve too was taken from us Tommy never really recovered. Ultimately, Tommy died of a broken heart.

Tommy was a fruitful plant and in the course of his life bore 362 perfectly formed tomatoes, with an average weight of 7.55g, yielding a total crop of 2333.83g.

Tommy leaves behind in excess of 100 uneaten tomatoes.

Tommy was 9 months old.

It's no good.., I can't go on anymore. Without Tommy life has no meaning anymore. Death where is thy sting? Blub, Blub.

IL wrote:

I can confirm what a warm and caring plant Tommy was. I never had a moment's trouble with him when he was a seedling on my kitchen window sill, and not once did he fight with his siblings in the way that young tomato plants are prone to do.

He suffered the pain of separation from his brothers and sisters, being uprooted (literally) from the only home he ever knew, without a murmur. Tommy settled into his adopted home very easily and the rest, as they say, is history.

He will be remembered fondly.

SRP wrote:

I'm sorry to hear of your sad loss. My thoughts are with you at this sad time and I pray that you may have the strength to go on. I only had 2-3 of Tommy's produce but they were reet little juicy ones. I will fondly remember the good times but it is times like this that I always think.., "Life's a shit and then you're dead."

MS wrote:

Although I never knew him well, I too was saddened to hear of Tommy's demise. The family are going through a rough patch of it at the moment. Only the other day I found one of his cousins hiding in my fridge. He was all crinkly and mouldy poor chap.

BH wrote:

Tommy's wish was that no flowers be sent.

However, donations may be made on his behalf to the local Runnymede Group of Amnesty International Sponsored Walk around Virginia Lake this Sunday. I shall be collecting a book of signatures (on my sponsorship form) during the next couple of days.

Let's all give as generously as Tommy did.

BS wrote (to PM):

I was much saddened to hear about Tommy. Will you be proposing a period of silence sometime so we can all remember him together and share you grief?

I believe that you now have more plants and flowers at home and I hope these will provide comfort and support during this traumatic period.

If it will help, I have a nice little recipe for both red and green tomato chutney.

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