Thomas Brovold

Thomas Dewey Brovold passed on September 18, 2009 at Villa Maria, Fargo, ND at the age of 70. He battled dementia and cancer for five years. Tom was born on April 8, 1939 in Saint Helen’s, Oregon. His parents moved back to Fargo, ND in 1947. Tom graduated from Central High School in Fargo and attended Wahpeton State School of Science. Tom started working at Eagles Shoe Repair and Shine and Tom Anderson’s Shoe repair. He started his own shoeshine business at different locations in Fargo, including the old Greyhound Bus Terminal, the Palmer House Hotel and the Gateway Shopping Center. He later was offered a job at the Fargo Holiday Inn, where they built him a special stand in the lobby. He worked there until he retired. Tom was given a plaque by former Mayor Bruce Furness and City of Fargo for being the longest shoe shiner, of 42 years in Fargo. Tom’s father and mother, named him after Thomas E. Dewey, States Attorney of the County of New York. They received a latter from Thomas E. Dewey in April, 1939, thanking them for naming their son after him. Dewey later ran twice for president of the United States. Tom kept the original signed copy of this letter. The Forum and several TV stations ran stories on Tom’s career over the years. Tom loved to read and anything one wanted to know about cars, coins, or WW II, Tom could answer their questions. He is survived by two sisters, Linda (Brovold) Schmid and Dorothy (Brovold) Waclawik, both Mesa Arizona; brother, Bruce D. Brovold, Fargo, ND; sister-in-law, Gail Brovold, Sauk Rapids, MN; brother-in-law, Steve Schmid, Mesa, AZ; eleven nieces and nephews and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Spencer Brovold and his mother, Gladys Brovold; brother, Jerry Brovold and niece Theresa Brovold. Tom will surely make Heaven shine just a little brighter now. Funeral: Friday, September 25, 2009, 2:00 PM at First Lutheran Church, Fargo, ND. Visitation: Thursday, September 24, 2009 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND and one hour prior to services at the church. Burial: Sunset Memorial Gardens, Fargo, ND.