Thomas Jay Pliner, 1939 - 2026

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1 day ago
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Thomas Jay Pliner, beloved husband, father, grandfather, coach, businessman, artist, and friend, passed away peacefully on July 9, 2026, at the age of 87, leaving behind a lifetime of love, hard work, creativity, and service to his family and community.

Tom was born on April 13, 1939, in Chicago, Illinois, to William and Frieda Pliner. He grew up on Chicago's North Side, graduating from Senn High School before attending the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in Engineering in 1961. While at Michigan, Tom was a proud member of the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity. His competitive spirit and exceptional athletic ability made him a standout in intramural sports, helping lead the fraternity to numerous intramural championships. The friendships and memories from those years remained among his most treasured throughout his life.

Following college, Tom proudly served his country in the United States Army as a medic. After completing basic training in Texas, he was activated during the Berlin Crisis, serving with compassion and dedication while caring for his fellow soldiers. His military service reflected the same sense of duty, integrity, and commitment to others that defined his life.

In 1968, Tom moved to California, beginning the next chapter of his life. He eventually settled in Tustin, where he and his beloved wife, Gail, raised their family. Tom built a successful career in the furniture manufacturing industry in Los Angeles. In 1988, he relocated his company, Good Bedrooms, to Tijuana, Mexico, prompting the family to move to Bonita, California.

While Tom was dedicated to his career, his greatest passion was always his family. He was a devoted husband to Gail and an extraordinary father to his children, Jon Pliner (Emma) and Nikki Berman (Bernie). Whether coaching, encouraging, or simply being present, Tom made his family the center of his life.

Tom's love of sports extended well beyond the sidelines. He coached countless youth teams over the years, positively influencing the lives of many young athletes. One of his proudest accomplishments was coaching Nikki's 1981 softball team to a national championship, a memory treasured by everyone involved. To his children, he was more than a coach-he was a mentor, role model, and constant source of encouragement.

A gifted artist, Tom had an extraordinary talent for drawing and cartooning. His quick wit and creativity brought joy to family and friends, and he took great pride in publishing a book featuring a collection of his original cartoons. Whether through a sketch or a perfectly timed joke, he had a remarkable ability to make people smile.

Education, integrity, and hard work were values Tom lived every day. He believed in always doing the right thing, treating people fairly, and leading by example. Those principles shaped not only his own life but also the lives of his children, grandchildren, employees, friends, and the many young people he coached.

In 2014, Tom and Gail moved to the Vi at La Jolla, where they embraced a vibrant new chapter of life. They quickly became active members of their new community, forming lasting friendships and enjoying the many activities and opportunities it offered.

Nothing brought Tom greater joy than being a grandfather. He was immensely proud of his four grandchildren: Charlie (22) and Theo (21), the sons of Jon and Emma, and Zach (18) and Zoey (16), the children of Nikki and Bernie. He took a genuine interest in their lives, celebrated their accomplishments, encouraged their dreams, and loved each of them unconditionally. Being "Papa Tom" was one of the roles he cherished most.

Tom will be remembered for his unwavering integrity, tireless work ethic, generosity, quick wit, artistic gifts, and above all, his boundless love for his family. He touched countless lives through his work, his coaching, his friendships, and his example. His legacy is found not only in the business he built or the teams he coached, but in the values he instilled, the lives he influenced, and the love he gave so freely.

Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Gail Pliner; his son, Jon Pliner (Emma); his daughter, Nikki Berman (Bernie); and his cherished grandchildren, Charlie, Theo, Zach, and Zoey.

His family will remember him as an amazing husband, a devoted father, a loving grandfather, a trusted mentor, and a loyal friend. His influence will continue to be felt through the values he lived by and the love he shared so generously.

He will be deeply missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Tom's memory to the Blue Square Alliance.