Tom was born the youngest of four kids on the East-Side of Detroit, just north of 7 mile and about 2 miles east of Hayes on 27 December 1945. Tom has a sister, Nancy and two brothers, Harold and Jerome. Tom was a Boy Scout with lots of merit badges and lots of friends as a kid and many more as an adult. Tom played men’s hockey, he liked hunting, boating, golf, and fishing. Not as much for the sport or activity but more for the socialization.
Tom married Carol Kozakiewicz (aka: Koze) and then graduated from Lawrence Institute of Technology with a degree in engineering. He started working at Chrysler Corp and then to Ford Motor and retired in 2003. In the 1970s dad learned to hate foreign cars when he was laid off and probably brought that dislike to the pearly gates. Later he got his two sons, John and Matt into ice hockey and did some coaching...and dragged his favorite daughter Heather to all of their practices and games. Dad was a huge supporter of his children, his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends and one of his most common things to brag on was his 11 grandchildren (Joanna, Jaclyn, Danielle, Clare, John Paul, Greg, Maria, Emma, James, Tommy, and Amanda) and 3 great grandchildren (Claire, Emily, and Margaret).
His family meant the world to him. Tom will be well remembered as a kind hearted person who would go out of his way for a friend or loved one. He had a quick smile, was very warm and sincere and you felt good to be around him.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, September 7, 2019 at Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, 3700 Commerce Road, Orchard Lake, Michigan. The family will receive friends Friday from 2-8 pm at the Union Lake Chapel of the Elton Black & Son Funeral Home, 1233 Union Lake Road in White Lake and Saturday at church from 10:00 am until the time of mass at 11:00 am. There will be a rosary and memory sharing on Friday evening at 6:30 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions suggested to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen or St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center.
DONACIONES
St. Paul of the Cross Passionist Retreat Center23333 Schoolcraft, Detroit, Michigan 48223
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