Mil Sevilla-Reyes, Maynard Manila, Vickie Ledesma-Bonsol

Seated: Tom McCormick

An evening with

Tom McCormick, GFF Benefactor 

A highlight of my visit to Greater Chicago is the meeting with Tom McCormick at his beautiful sprawling home in Burr Ridge, about 25 miles southwest of the City.  Thanks to GFFs Maynard Manila and Vickie Ledesma for arranging this visit. 

What impressed me most was Tom’s welcoming and friendly nature. After the greetings and introductions, Lisa Manila, my high school friend Zennie Lawlor and I felt at home straightaway. We started speaking with Tom like we were old friends dropping by.    

A connection was quickly established when a mention of my teaching experience in Ethiopia led to Tom talking about the well-educated Ethiopian lady who was companion and caregiver to his wife, Marcia, long before Vickie took over. (Marcia passed away in 2009.) Through his church, Tom helped bring this Ethiopian lady’s children to the United States.   

With the sweep of his hand, Tom invited us to walk around. So while he and Maynard talked, Vickie showed us Tom’s study, his bedroom and the living room that backs onto the garden. I was impressed by his books, the family photos and the collection of perfume bottles, Limoges and Lladros which belonged to Marcia.    

When I commented on his books, Tom’s immediate reply was that I could have whatever I liked. Without any hesitation, I returned to the study and picked the one that caught my eye the first time, GANDHI & CHURCHILL: The Epic Rivalry That Destroyed an Empire and Forged Our Age.   

Tom leads a very active life - starting each day with stretches in his own gym in the basement. He swims several laps daily, plays golf, bikes (he has four lightweight bicycles), rides his horse Travis in summer and in winter goes cross country skiing. He shops for his food everyday and prepares his dinner when he’s not dining out with his circle of friends or with Vickie. He prepares very healthy meals. No wonder he moves and talks like he’s in his mid-60s, not 80.  

Tom is involved with church and civic activities. He supports Lions-sponsored bowling tournament and carolling. Vickie has taken Tom to Filipino dinner dances and fundraising events in the Midwest. He even attends small family gatherings, becoming well-known in Vickie’s world – particularly after he lost a precious ring which was found by Vickie’s relative on the floor of a fundraising party venue. 

We had a lively discussion as we shared the healthiest meal I’d had in Chicago: nuts, carrots, celery, broccoli, sugar peas, biscuits and tortilla chips with two kinds of dip. Our talk ranged from GFF to travel, Tom’s foundation, his wife Marcia, their children and grandchildren, and so on. Gaddafi’s death had a brief mention. Maynard and Vickie then invited us to visit the GFF website. I could see that Tom was impressed by what the GFF has achieved.   

Before the goodbyes, Tom sat on one of the steps leading upstairs and wrote on the book: Best wishes to Mil. Hope we meet again. Fondly, Tom McCormick. 

I take that to mean that Tom’s home is open to GFF members and friends.  

Thank you, Tom. Continued GOOD HEALTH and LONG LIFE to YOU. 

Mil Sevilla-Reyes

20 October, 2011