Thomas Raymond Rask

Dr. Thomas R. Rask was a beloved husband, cherished father and devoted grandfather. Tom, as he was known to patients, friends and family, touched so many lives with his generosity, love and devotion to everything in his care. All those who know him are heartbroken at his loss.

The patriarch of a large, Lebanese, Catholic family, Tom was a founding member and leader of the local Maronite Catholic church, St. Sharbel. His faith in and his support to the church was recently recognized by the Holy Father Pope Francis when he bestowed Tom with the Equestrian Order of Saint Sylvester.

Tom was born in 1937 and grew up in the Mt. Tabor area, spending time with many cousins and working in the family business, Rask Brothers Grocery. He graduated from Central Catholic High School, Portland State University and Pacific University with a Doctorate of Optometry. Before opening an optometric practice co-located with his brother Larry, a dentist, he practiced optometry in the United States Air Force.

Tom’s service to the community was widely admired. He served on the Providence Hospital Health Care Board as well as the school boards of Holy Family Catholic Grade School and St. Thomas More Catholic Grade School. Tom also received special recognition for his work with Portland’s chapter of the International Lion’s Club, a nonprofit organization providing optometric care to underprivileged children. He participated in other volunteer organizations as well, including the Royal Rosarian Society, the Oregon Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities and the Perry Center for Children.

Tom was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing as well as caring for his flowers and plants. He was outstanding in every way--his stylish wear, his witty humor, his incredible humility, and his amazing graciousness and generosity.

Private to the last and never wanting others to worry about him, Tom passed away from medical complications related to Mantle Cell Lymphoma.

Tom will be terribly missed by his wife of 51 years, Najat Hriez Rask; his six sons - Thomas, Todd, Troy, Trevor, Thaddeus and Theodore; their wives; his 17 grandchildren; and his brother Larry and sister Janice Rudge.

Tom’s funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, October 23, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Mary’s Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. All are invited to pray the rosary before the funeral at 9:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to St. Sharbel Catholic Church (http://stsharbel.org/join-us/), the Maronite Monks of Jesus, Mary and Joseph (http://www.maronitemonastery.com/donate/) or the Rask Family Memorial Foundation (http://www.raskmemorial.org/donatenow/).