David William Tomkinson

(Jan. 9, 1946 – Nov. 21, 2024)
David William Tomkinson passed peacefully after a long illness, on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024 in Phuket, Thailand.  Dave had been a resident of Patong Beach, Thailand since his retirement in 2005.  He was the son of the late Anna May and William Tomkinson of Hamden, CT and Harwich, MA.  He is survived by his brother Neil Tomkinson and his wife Priscilla Eastman of Harwichport, MA, his sisters Janet Harper Vernon of Yarmouth, MA and Sr. Diane Tomkinson, OSF of Chester, PA, and his nephews Dale and Shawn Harper.
Dave grew up in Hamden, CT, graduating from Hamden High School. He was a veteran of the war in Vietnam, where he served in the Marine Corps. After his return, he moved to Manhattan Beach, CA, beginning a lifelong career in the airline industry. After a few years on ground crew at LAX, Dave became a flight attendant and subsequently a purser for Pan American Airlines, stationed briefly in London, and then in Honolulu. After Pan Am folded, he continued to work as a purser for United Airlines in Honolulu for many years, then in Hong Kong until his retirement.
A lifelong bachelor, Dave enjoyed his life of travel during his working career; in retirement, he appreciated his solitude, ocean-view and close friends at Karlssons restaurant in Patong Beach. He made regular trips to spend time with family and friends on Cape Cod, particularly during his parents’ final years, until his own health made travel difficult. He remained connected with family and friends around the world through his ever-present cell phone and tablet. Dave was an avid reader, with a dry sense of humor and a hearty laugh. He will be missed by all who knew him. After cremation services in Thailand, family and friends will gather for a private memorial celebration of life on Cape Cod in December.