Tom was born on the Island of Palmerston on the 4th of August 1945.At a very tender age he was brought to Rarotonga where he was raised by his grandmother; someone Tom says he still misses today, althyough she has gone over 30 years ago. from a very young age growing up in Kakirori/Aretere Avatiu, and Panama, Nikao. Tom (or Tom Tom as he was commonly known) showed signs of becoming a champion sportsman.He was a team player but he was also a specialist and a perfectionist with a burning desire and aggression always to win. He was inspirational and his peers in early life as well as in adulthood, looked to his leadership. People simply gravitated towards him and lead by example. Tom is always passionate about his sport.
Tom was a leader in the classroom, in the community and of course, on the sports field. Growing up in Avatiu, Tom played at senior level in every code sport that he engaged. Even when he married his beautiful wife Tuaine Tumupu Kea (Wichman) and moved to Arorangi, he continued to play senior sport for his new club to delight of his new sports friends.
In his day, Tom was outstanding in the square ring, on the rugby field, on the cricket pitch, on the tennis court. on the pool table, at lawn bowls and of course at Golf where he still holds a low single figure handicap. give him a set of darts, or a table tennis bat and the difference is none. he was also a champion hockey centre forward at College overseas. He was also a black belt exponent of the Martial Arts School of Kei-Shin-Kan;graded and awarded personally by Grand Master Masanao Takasawa of Japan.
Tom has represented his beloved Cook Islands in several of the above sports. When asked, what would be the high point of his sporting career? His answer was many.
However he reflected on a time when he played cricket in a charity match in England where he hit 32 runs off recently retired MCC (England) captain who during his long and illustrious career took many wickets as an off spinner. That has to rate very, highly on my list of high points, said Tom,
The walls of the Marsters; home in Kavera is adorned with countless sports memorabilia. A large number of them, belong to his sporting wife and their equally sports talented children. However, many of these trophies and certificates some dating back to the 1960s, bears, the name of Tom John Marsters.
While studying in Samoa and United Kingdom tom met and befriended many good people some of whom he keeps in touch with even after almost 50 years later. A friend to Tom is a friend for life. Tom is a family man with strong family values. He is also the proud papa of five grandsonswhom he spends a lot of time with. Tom's life journey lead him to the gates of politics. that is hius station in life today. that must be his destiny . Today, Tom holds the High Office of Deputy Prime Minister of his beloved country, a position and responsibility whisch he holds and treasures wityh humility and with great honour. His parting words were;" my country my family and my friends have been good to me . I am forever grateful."
Last Modified on 27/09/2012 10:06