Thomas Taylor Trussell, 85, of Warwick, MD, passed away suddenly at his home July 2, 2013.

Tom was born in Baltimore, MD on June 12, 1928 the firstborn of Edward and Mary Virginia Siefers Trussell. He grew up in Western Maryland and attended school in the New Windsor area. He was always known to be a hard worker, taking on jobs to help support the family from a very young age. One of his first full-time jobs was at Martin Marietta during World War II as a cold riveter. He also served in the Army National Guard during war time. During the late 1940s and 1950s, Tom’s active nature helped to ensure his success in various jobs, including repairing scales and working with concrete. His work sawing and sealing concrete proved to be life-changing. In 1957, he utilized this experience to create Central Atlantic Contractors which he ran successfully until 1998. At the time of his death, he was owner of Maryland QC Laboratories in Aberdeen. He will be remembered as a loving owner of Jack Russell Terriers and as an avid hunter. His life-long goal of owning and running a farm was realized in the 1980s when he began farming in North East and later in Warwick.

Tom will be dearly missed by his wife of 26 years, Margaret Trussell and five children: Richard Trussell (Mary Ann) of Daytona Beach, FL; Sue Ritz of Catonsville, MD; Detra Waikart (Frank) of North Ogden, UT; Michael Brunson (Casey) of Fort Collins, CO; and Laura Byrne (Michael) of Springfield, VA. He was the proud grandfather of Lauren Ritz, Sarah Rose Trussell, Darby Peterson, Cayley Byrne, Elise Waikart, Anna Byrne, Noah Byrne, Camren Waikart, and Brant Waikart. He is also survived by a brother, Griff Trussell, and his former spouse, Maxine Trussell. He is preceded in death by his son, Bruce Trussell; his brother, William Trussell; and his sister, Virginia Trussell.

A service honoring his life will be held at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 318 George St., Chesapeake City, MD 21915 on Friday, July 12, 2013 at 12 noon with a visitation beginning at 11 am. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, contribution checks may be made payable to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation c/o the funeral home.