Thomas Reginald (Tom) Darlington was a son, a brother, a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a great-grandfather. He passed away peacefully at the age of 88 on Saturday, January 17th, 2026.
Tom was born on December 15th, 1937 to Thomas and Lucy Darlington (née Scott). He grew up in Verdun on the island of Montréal, Québec with his older brother Ralph and younger brothers Bob and John. Only John now survives. Tom spoke frequently of him and his brothers enjoying youthful mayhem on Fifth avenue in Verdun. He especially cherished their trips to the family cottage on Heron Island in the Saint Lawrence river; for the rest of his life, Tom always spoke of those summers spent with his parents and brothers on the island and the river’s rapids with great fondness.
In 1958 Tom met, and soon married, the love of his life in Verdun: Elizabeth (Betty) Boyle. Together they had four children: Scott, Cathy, Jon, and Thomas. Betty passed away far too soon in 1990.
In his 20s Tom worked as a tool and die maker while attending night school at McGill University to become an Electrical Engineer. His father-in-law, Walter Boyle, supported the family as Tom finished his last two years of studies full-time; he graduated in 1966. Tom then joined the ISIS satellite program at RCA designing scientific instruments for the ISIS I and II satellites. He then worked at SPAR Aerospace as an engineering manager and program director, including on the space shuttle’s Remote Manipulator System (SRMS), or Canadarm. Later he worked on the Anik C and D communication satellite payloads. In 1982, he joined the National Research Council of Canada as a Project Manager and in 1994 he joined the newly-created Canada Space Agency
managing systems and engineering work for the International Space Station. He concluded his career working for his own company, Seldar Engineering, doing aerospace contracting work.
After his first wife’s early passing, Tom partnered with Susan Brune and became a beloved step-father to Susan’s children Michelle and Ashley, all lovers of horse riding
and competition. Tom thew himself into that world with great enthusiasm.
Throughout his life Tom enjoyed building things, starting out at the dining room table with a blank piece of paper and a pencil, sketching plans, and then bringing his
designs to life. With Susan he acquired 40 acres of land on the shore of the Ottawa River near Renfrew, Ontario, and there together they built a home and riding rings,
barns, and other support structures for their horses. Tom spoke frequently, and with great contentment, about the way this property on the Ottawa River reminded him of
his boyhood days on Heron Island.
Tom loved animals. In addition to horses, he most especially loved dogs; and during his years with Susan they raised their beloved dogs Jake, Kia, Rosie, Sky, and Champ. He was deeply devoted to his dogs, and heartbroken when they passed. He always kept their ashes near, and took great comfort in them.
Tom passed away peacefully in the company of his children as they spoke of the many memories they cherished with him.
May he rest in peace.
A Celebration of Life is being planned for June 2026. Please contact TomDarlingtonCelebration@scottdarlington.com to be notified when details are available.