We are sadly sharing the news that long time irrigation industry member Tom Gentile, Gentile & Associates, Inc., passed away unexpectedly on January 2, 2024, at the age of 81 in Murrieta, California. Tom was a long-time member and supporter of the ASIC. Born in 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa, he moved to Southern California with his family at the age of ten. He attended St. Peter Chanel Seminary in San Rafael, California for his high school years.
Anyone that knew Tom, knew how proud he was of his Italian heritage. His grandparents were from the town of Termini Imerese, Palermo, Sicily. Jon, his oldest grandson, took Grandpa Tom on a facetime tour of the family’s hometown during Jon’s 2022 visit. That made Grandpa’s day!
Tom entered the irrigation industry as a representative for Griswold Controls in the early 1980’s. As a people person, he enjoyed building long lasting, close relationships with his customer base. Tom was truly interested in every person he met and made lifelong friends among landscape architects, irrigation designers, city engineers, and contractors.
His contributions were recognized during the 2023 National Conference, where Tom received the ASIC Sam Tobey Lifetime Achievement Award. Tom’s influence touched the lives of all those he encountered, leaving an indelible mark on the irrigation community.
Our condolences to the Gentile Family, and to all who knew him. He will be missed.
