Passings: Thomas R. Peck Sr.

Born in upstate New York, he moved to southern California with his family in 1919. He served with the U.S. Army, stationed in the South Pacific, during World War II; upon his return, he joined his aunt in a small paint business.
Peck and the late Mike Bilek Sr. established Custom Building Products in 1964, growing the Seal Beach, Calif., company to its position today as one of the leading tile-installation product suppliers in North America, with more than 1,500 employees in 15 locations.  He continued to go to work until he was hospitalized last November. (Earlier in 2007, he also scored his first hole-in-one on the golf course.)
 “It is difficult to overestimate Tom Peck’s influence on Custom Building Products,” says his son, Custom President Tom Peck Jr., “His almost daily presence at our corporate office served as an example of what is important to us in business: focus on our customers, employees and vendors, and treat each of them with respect and fairness.
 “My father lived to that standard and he became a wonderful example of how to successfully grow a business.  His legacy and that of his late partner and co-founder, Mike Bilek, will continue to guide us in the future.”
The senior Peck is survived by his wife, Ruth; children Tom Jr., Sandi (Williams), Christie and Randy; and 10 grandchildren.  The family will have a private service to scatter his ashes at one of his favorite fishing spots; although he practically never caught any fish, it is a testament to his cheerful disposition that he loved to fish nonetheless.  
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for the support of the American Diabetes Association Thomas R. Peck Memorial Fund.  Contributions may be made here.