George Thomas Chicovsky

A Journal Entry Written by Tom Chicovsky – October 13, 1970, aboard the “Neith”:
"Beyond any doubt an excursion such as this should be part of everyone’s education. Life on “Neith” is beautiful. We’re in our own little isolated world while sailing, then kind of slip back into existence when entering each port... For the past two days we encountered a violent storm from Palma to Gibraltar, the most terrifying experience of my life. Huge rolling seas crashed on my back as I was lashed to the helm battling hurricane force winds, torrential rains, hail, lightning, thunder, cold, and little food or sleep. For those days nothing existed except “Neith” and the five souls aboard....NOTHING. After the storm we entered Alicante to make repairs and right now I feel quite different than ever before - ready for anything....even the end".

Known as either “Chico” or “Tom”, George Thomas Chicovsky, father, grandfather, husband, builder, golf pro, sailor, storyteller, friend to all, passed peacefully at home in Evergreen, CO on December 28, 2021, surrounded by family and friends, after two brave and graceful years of facing brain cancer. He spent four months in hospice with 24-7 care from his loving wife, Marion Caldwell, assisted by the Lamas family, Mt. Evans Hospice, and others. He touched his many visitors with his warmth, humor, and ever-present smile.

Tom, an identical twin, was born on July 25, 1950, in Detroit MI, to parents Susan and George. “Tommy Chico” and “Davey Chico” were co-valedictorians at Crestwood High. At the age of nineteen, having never sailed before, they embarked, with friend Jake, on their legendary 13,000-mile voyage on the Neith, a Herreschoff sloop they found in Falmouth, England. Despite the odds, they crossed the Atlantic, returned home, and went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan. After college, they went together to fight forest fires in the Alaskan wilderness.

Tom moved to Evergreen, CO in 1975, where he lived for the rest of his life. He was widely known, loved, and admired in his adopted hometown. After working as a school bus driver, he co-founded Mountain Dwellings with his friend and neighbor, Rich Reynolds. Together they built more than 150 homes and scores of remodels over a 44-year span. In the late ‘70’s and ‘80’s, Tom was the star pitcher for the Smokers softball team. Later, with Marion, he taught juggling to hundreds of fifth-graders at Marshdale Elementary. Tom was a kind, funny, generous man, and his devotion to his community was reflected in the many people who showed up for him in his time of need.

A consummate athlete, Chico spread his love of sports to everyone he met. He excelled at baseball, bowling, and tennis as a boy. As an adult, after his storied career in rec league softball, he got bit by the golf bug. He turned pro at age 39. Golf became his second career: Tournament player, acclaimed teacher, writer, and teaching emissary to Scandinavia. As an original founder of Natural Golf and disciple of the great Moe Norman, he was integral to the creation and dissemination of the modern single-plane golf swing. He was as good a short player as you’ll ever meet, and his putting stroke was sublime. True to his passion for “The Game,” Chico’s final words were a golf joke.

He had a profound connection with his twin, Dave, a retired home builder in Washington. Both known as “Chico” in their hometowns, they would visit one another and trick the locals into thinking they were talking to the other Chico. In later years, Tom taught Dave to golf, and Dave became a skilled scorer and a lights-out putter. They spent countless hours on the phone working on Dave’s game, and met twice a year at golf destinations to “dig in.” Twins to the end, they crossed an ocean together, stood side-by-side through cancer and many of life’s losses and triumphs.

Tom was an ever-caring family man. His children were his world. He encouraged them and inspired discipline, hard work, curiosity, and adventure, and was always there to rescue them when they got in a bind. With his son Yuri, who worked off and on for Mountain Dwellings, he loved to play and discuss sports, especially golf. Under Dad’s tutelage, Yuri became a scratch golfer and respected teacher. They went on pilgrimages to Scotland in search of “True Gravity” and other of golf’s metaphysical secrets. With his daughter Marie, who deeply admired Tom’s complete kindness and generosity to anyone who came into his life, he shared his love for Blues, Mo-town and Classic Rock. Together they discovered various genres of music and art. He visited her numerous times in California and enjoyed the Industrial Rock band that she is involved in. And with his daughter Cayla, who was in awe of his endless amazing stories, he loved to work on projects, always encouraging her and asking for her input. He deeply admired her artistic abilities and problem solving skills. They shared a dry sense of humor and a million laughs. Tom loved all of his children immensely and praised them to everyone he met.

Tom met the love of his life, Marion, a teacher and Hall of Fame freestyle skier, in 2001 at Back to School Night for Marshdale Elementary, where she was his daughter Marie’s 5th-grade teacher. He was attracted to her enthusiasm for both teaching and learning, her energy, and that she liked math. Soon, the two were inseparable, enjoying mutual interests and learning new things together. Marion could often be found helping out on a Mountain Dwellings construction project or tagging along with Tom at the golf course. Tom mentored some of the kids who came to the house for Marion’s math tutoring. The couple became avid table tennis players and traveled for lessons to improve their skills.

They cared about each other’s families and friends and wanted to be accepted. They planned to grow old together.

Tom is survived by his children, Yuri, Marie, and Cayla; wife, Marion; step-sons, Ian and Tim Caldwell; sister, Becky Porter; brother, Dave; and grandson, Ollie. No memorial service is planned at this time. The Chico Chicovsky Memorial Golf Tournament will be held this summer, followed by dinner and music to celebrate his extraordinary life. The family is especially grateful to Mt. Evans Hospice for their outstanding care in Tom’s final months. Donations can be sent to Mt. Evans Hospice, 3081 Bergen Peak Drive, Evergreen, CO 80439.