|
Light a Candle
In fond remembrance of my loving husband Allen Herbert Tice, 72 who passed away on August 8, 2022, after a brave four and a half year battle with stage 4 lung cancer. Allen or ‘Al’ as his friends and coworkers called him was a man of few words, with a smile that lit up his blue eyes and a great sense of humor. He was born to the late Herbert and Doris Tice on January 18, 1950 and was raised in Newton, NJ. Allen graduated from Newton High School in 1968 and went on to pursue his true passion – computers and programming. He started his long and illustrious career with IBM in 1969 and retired 37 years later in 2006. He loved his job and building computers and networks. Our family room looks like the NASA command center! He had several close friends through IBM (more like family) and they vacationed together every year at Long Beach Island on the Jersey shore. Shortly after starting at IBM he was drafted into the military during the Vietnam War. Allen joined the US Air Force in 1969 and was stationed in Vietnam and Thailand after completing his basic training in Pensacola, FL. IBM (I’ve Been Moved) transferred Allen from Jersey to Maryland when he was 39. The same year he bought his first house (#13) where he lived for the rest of his life and created beautiful memories. I met him in 1997 when I was sent to IBM, Gaithersburg and the rest is history. Lost in those baby blues and his dazzling smile we got married in 2002 and celebrated our 20th anniversary less than 2 months ago. Allen was a family man first and foremost – a dedicated son, father, brother and husband – we always came first. He was also very much a home body and enjoyed watching TV, doing yard work and home improvement projects after he retired. He liked to travel and we enjoyed family vacations in India, Hawaii, Aruba and Switzerland with the kids to name a few and made lasting memories. Allen always wanted to visit Australia but we ran out of time when he was diagnosed with cancer in Feb of 2018. It had already metastasized to his brain. He calmly told me that we’ll fight it and do what it takes to have as much time as possible together. He rarely complained, fought hard and long and was in good spirits almost till the end. He requested to be taken off breathing support and passed away holding my hand, comforting me and willing me to be strong. Cancer might have taken him physically from our lives but never from our hearts. I feel his presence everyday … He is survived by me, his wife Preeti Tice, our two children Kyle and Alyssa Tice, his younger sister Noreen Nigota, his niece Alaina Andreason Barrett, nephew James Andreasen and numerous loving friends and relatives. Al’s final request was to be cremated. His spirit and smile will always live on. Now rest in peace my love until we can be together again.
