Thomas G. Suprock

U.S. Veteran

Thomas G. “Tom” Suprock, died peacefully and surrounded by loved ones on Thursday, February 9th.

He was the beloved husband of Susanne Suprock.
 
Born in Baden, PA on June 18th 1950, he was the son of the late George and Louise Suprock, brother to the late David Suprock and John Suprock.

He was a dedicated family man and friend, with a deep passion for the Veteran community.

A decorated Purple Heart recipient, Tom received numerous accolades during his life including the Rhode Island Cross and Distinguished Flying Cross.

He traveled the world as a soldier and a civilian, working everywhere from the oil fields of Nigeria to the tarmac of TF Green.

He loved sharing his stories, and took every opportunity to speak to students, veterans, and friends.

Tom was indestructible, intelligent, and full of wit, but those who knew him know that his main passion was helping others. He was a true American hero.

He is survived by his wife Susanne Suprock, daughter Ingrid Suprock, son Jeremy Martini (husband Daryl Martini), and his step-sons John and Brandon Daley and a sister Patricia Suprock.

Journal Staff Writer

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. –

 Tom Suprock's appearance could be deceiving.

"The tall, distinguished-looking guy at the microphone is 100 percent disabled," Providence Journal columnist Bob Kerr wrote in 2004.

"Not a chance, you say, looking at him. He looks too good, too vigorous, too damn healthy. But beneath the dark suit is a morphine pump that sends relief to his battered spine.

And beneath that suit is the hard evidence of more than 30 surgeries."

The Vietnam veteran and veterans activist died Thursday at the age of 66.

As a young helicopter pilot in the Vietnam War, Thomas G. "Tom" Suprock was shot down multiple times.

He was wounded. He was awarded 24 medals of valor, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart and the Rhode Island Cross.

Suprock flew a tiny observation helicopter that was, basically, a designated moving target, Kerr wrote.

"Our primary job was to get shot at," he said. "It was reconnaissance by fire."

The idea was for Suprock and the man crammed into his chopper with him to fly low and draw fire and reveal enemy positions for the gunships flying above them.

"You didn't realize until later how nuts it was," he told Kerr.

He made what he calls nine "unscheduled landings." He was shot down or his helicopter so badly disabled that he had to make hard emergency landings.

The pounding on his spine would take its toll years down the road.

After the war, Suprock stayed close to aviation, following a career at T.F. Green Airport, where he eventually became chief of facilities,

responsible for many tasks, including keeping the airport's runways free of snow.

But Suprock always was a veteran's veteran, taking up the cause of retired warriors, especially those who came home disabled.

He held the mission of supporting veterans so important that he worked on the presidential campaign of John Kerry, even though he considered the Democrat's positions too liberal.

"I know where he's been," Suprock told Kerr in 2004. "He knows what it's like. He's been through it. I know he's got to feel like I do."

Suprock, the son of the late George and Louise Suprock, is survived by his wife, Susanne Suprock;

daughter, Ingrid Suprock; son, Jeremy Martini; step-sons John and Brandon Daley; and a sister, Patricia Suprock.

Link to some other memories of Tom

Folded Wings

Light Horse Home