Dr. Thomas S. Serwatka, Ph.D.

Tom grew up in Lakewood, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. He attended Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio, majoring in speech pathology. After graduation, he returned to Lakewood to teach deaf students in the public school system. He later earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in special education at Kent State University. Tom met the love of his life, Michael Breen, and they happily married in 2015. Tom and Michael shared a wonderful life together full of travel and love for each other.

Tom was a talented educator, a beloved collaborator, and a passionate leader who championed diversity, equity, and inclusion and was especially devoted to LGBTQ justice. He was an outspoken advocate on campus, in the community, and across the globe. He was a visible force and a role model to many. Tom made a significant impact on Jacksonville. He was a leader in providing protections and benefits for LGBTQ students and employees at UNF including spearheading the effort to create the award-winning LGBTQ Center. He served on the Board of Directors for JASMYN to help enhance safety, resources, and support for LGBTQ youth, he supported PFLAG Jacksonville, the LGBTQ Community Fund, and offered his time, talent, and treasure in many other philanthropic and service efforts. Tom’s curriculum vita is long and filled with community engagement, and educational accomplishments including the papers he has written, and the book he published in 2010 titled Queer Questions, Clear Answers: The Contemporary Debates on Sexual Orientation. Tom was listed in Who’s Who in America in 2021.

The funeral will be a private ceremony. In lieu of cards and flowers, to support Tom’s legacy, donations can be made to:

The Dr. Thomas Serwatka PFLAG Scholarship Fund https://www.pflagjax.org/tomserwatka

Dr. Gregg Day’s dementia research at Mayo Clinic in Florida https://philanthropy.mayoclinic.org/donatemc Please check “Make this donation a tribute” and indicate the gift is in memory of Dr. Thomas S. Serwatka, PhD. Donations may also be made by calling 1-855-852-8129 or mailing a check to Mayo Clinic Department of Development, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905.