Camino Gratitude Portugal

Below is my eulogy for Tom, who died on my last Camino day –

Last week, Colleen and I walked into a store to buy a birthday present for my brother. When the salesclerk asked for our last name and I said “Boselli,” she looked up from the register and asked, “Do you know Tom Boselli?” When I confirmed he was my brother, her face lit up: “I worked for Tom in 1991 at The Vail T-Shirt shop. He is so lovely, funny, kind, a truly good man.” I stood there, astonished that after 34 years without contact, someone could speak with such genuine joy about my big brother. Tom was lovely, a great man.

 Tom’s love embodied Christ’s command to “love one another as I have loved you.” He chose to worship and love God, reading the Bible and serving the Lord daily. Tom knew Jesus intimately, producing a love that was patient, kind, and always oriented toward service. Tom was a member of this beautiful Grace Church. When I attended a Sunday service here with Tom and Sharon a few weeks ago, many stopped Tom to let him know they were praying for him, especially Pastor Aaron. This community of Grace Church was an important part of Tom’s life; thank you all for loving him, for guiding him closer to Christ.

 Tom’s deep love was wholehearted for Sharon. I remember my brothers gathered in Cape Cod to spend time together. We had all read a book about happiness—about giving oneself away and loving the people we care about. When Tom offered his example of loving happiness he said, “My beautiful bride.” Tom spoke these words effortlessly, truthfully, as a simple fact.

 Tom’s moments of greatest happiness were doing anything with Sharon – gardening, biking, walking, traveling, or cooking. After ten minutes of Tom’s heartfelt testimony, we brothers exchanged glances, knowing he had given himself away completely to Sharon. She completed Tom’s happiness, which generated love, that he would share with everyone around him. This flywheel of love centered on Sharon and spun outward to touch everyone. And for this, we thank Sharon for allowing him to be so profoundly happy and joyful in life.

 Natalie told me how Tom would come to her office to take her to lunch or coffee. Tom knew her coworkers by name and would ask thoughtful questions about their families, remembering details of their lives. Natalie’s friends often said she was fortunate to have such a loving father. When Sheila and Natalie were growing up, Tom made their home a welcoming place, especially during holidays like Easter and Christmas. He would buy gifts for their friends and prepare elaborate breakfasts with specially shaped pancakes. Tom put everything into raising his daughters; Sheila and Tom were inseparable for years, doing everything together. Tom and Sharon’s family trip to Hawaii — celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary — exemplified his devotion to family. He led sandcastle building, boogie boarding, and swimming with turtles. Hawaii was a celebration of their family’s shared love. Tom was selfless in everything, and his extended family treasured his undivided attention.

 Betty, Tom’s mother, cherishes those unfailing Monday 8 AM calls every single week. He never missed one. Whenever Tom visited Colorado, his first stop was always to see Betty. She recalls how Tom cared for our father, Bud, during his illness. Tom would drive from Albuquerque to Boulder to stay at the house, providing constant care. When Bud couldn’t sleep, Betty would call for Tom, and the two would talk in the living room for hours until dad was tired enough to rest. Even as a teenager, Tom was always the first one home from school, eager to talk with his mother and help with his younger siblings.

 Betty also recalls when Mary, Tom’s older sister, was working at Yellowstone and became homesick. Tom drove 40 hours from San Francisco to Wyoming and back home, an extraordinary gesture of brotherly love. 

 My sister Sue remembers when our parents planned to sell their Granby cabin. Sue had formed a deep connection to the place but couldn’t afford to buy. Knowing her attachment to the cabin, Tom offered to purchase half, despite living in Albuquerque, nearly 450 miles away. For years afterward, Tom organized groups of men for cabin improvement weekends—cutting trees, making repairs, and playing cards late into the night. Those gatherings were filled with laughter and camaraderie. Tom cherished all eleven of his siblings, helping them whenever and wherever needed.

 As we gather today to pay tribute to Tom, we celebrate not just a life well-lived, but a heart that transformed each of us. Tom leaves a legacy of kindness—from building a radiant marriage and loving Sharon completely, to a devoted father of Sheila and Natalie, to helping his aging parents with unwavering devotion, to leading his siblings and friends to serve others. We remember Tom’s values; we find the truest example of Christ’s love. Tom’s life reminds us that our greatest purpose is found not in what we achieve or acquire, but in how deeply we love and serve others. May God grant eternal rest unto Tom and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen