Dr. Tom Offen (“Big T”), a trail-blazing equine chiropractor in the ’70s and ’80s, volunteer member of the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Horse Show Ring Committee for over 40 years, and member of the Toronto Polo Club, died of congestive heart failure on December 18, 2018. He was 84.
Tom’s lifelong passion for horses saw him competing in show jumping as a youngster, then foxhunting and eventually taking up polo with the Toronto Polo Club. Tom’s four children and all his grandchildren were also introduced to horses and polo, and one of the highlights of the TPC season is the annual Dr. Tom Offen Junior Challenge. Tom also co-chaired the United States Polo Association Interscholastic Committee for several years, and was a passionate supporter and early participant in TPC’s popular Polo For Heart, a charity tournament now in its 40th year which raises funds for the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada and the Southlake Regional Health Centre Foundation.
Tom is survived by his wife of 60 years, Margaret, his children, David (Leslie), Kelly, Robyn, (Tom) and Todd, (Susan), grandchildren, Nicole, Cody, Robert, Brendon, Todd, Dylan, Samantha, Ella and Jackson and great granddaughter, Hadley.
In memory of Tom’s life, donations to Polo For Heart would be greatly appreciated: poloforheart.org/donate.php
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