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I was gutted to hear the news about Tom. Thank you Susan for reaching out and letting me know. My sincerest and heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I knew Tom when we were in Kiribati in 1985 and 1986, with the Peace Corps. He lived on the main island of Tarawa on Betio. I lived on one of the outer islands, Abaiang. There were eleven us in our group. Three married couples and five single people, Tom, Bob Long, Marina Finch, Kari Brown and me, Sheri Lochner. We tended to hang out a bit more together, being single. Tom was easy going, calm and relaxed. While Betio is a part of Tarawa, when we lived there you had to catch a ferry. You could walk across at low tide, which we did if we stayed too long at the Otintai Hotel and missed the last ferry. Now there is a causeway. Tom was cool, he was chill, he was a deep thinker. Gone too soon.
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Sheri Lochner
December 21st, 2023 at 4:28am
My condolences 🙏 rip life long class mate 🙏.
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Tim Rediess
December 9th, 2023 at 3:12pm
We were sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Sorry to lose another cousin. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sue and family.
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Linda and Randy Bartels
December 3rd, 2023 at 12:05pm
I've known Tom for many years .Worked with him on many jobs for Rick Johnson. We shared a lot of likes. Cross country skiing,hiking out by North Point along the lake,watching football or golf . We would spend a couple hours one day a week end. Even two weeks ago.I knew he had such a great history of helping others. Now after reading his obituary,I'm amazed but not surprised.My heart goes out to his family and especially to Susy that I got to meet .Such a caring sister. I'll miss him a lot. Rest in peace ,my friend.
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Fred Albini
November 28th, 2023 at 12:20pm
So sorry to learn of Tommy’s passing. Our mothers were great friends, and we spend many hours together as children on the Stieve mini-farm near Deerlick. Condolences to Susie, Kenny, and the family.
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Anne Callaghan Keith
November 28th, 2023 at 8:40am
I will always treasure my years of friendship with Tommy. And keep in my heart our last conversation which included a promise to have lunch at his favorite brewery in Kalamazoo. He was one of a kind… The BEST kind.
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Kathy Davis
November 28th, 2023 at 1:30am
I only met Tom in the past few years but there was immediate trust and connection for me. I valued not only his friendship, his skills and talents, but his humility and the peace about life and living that he had. May his family find comfort in knowing he lived life as he chose and to the fullest (mostly in service to others) which is a gift not only to himself, but to humanity. Bless you Tom and rest well.
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eileen pearson
November 27th, 2023 at 3:20pm
Susie I am so sorry. It was no surprise you came back to Michigan and took care of him since July. I know you loved your brothers very much. Every time you mentioned them in junior high you smiled when you rolled your eyes. Safe travels back home my friend.🕊️
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Vandy
November 27th, 2023 at 1:52pm
Tom was a great guy and liked by all who knew him. He will definitely be missed.
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Betty Dopp
November 27th, 2023 at 9:36am
Long time 1972 classmate. He was a great guy he will be missed. Rip Tom 🙏 God speed.
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Tim Rediess
November 26th, 2023 at 4:13am
What a shock for Tom's family and friends. I wrote something before, but it disappeared. I was singing his praises as a renaissance man. An artist in wood and thought who loved to play golf. St. Thomas (private joke between him and Ric and I) was born Zen. Love to you, Tom, across the veil.
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Ric and PJ Canonie-Bubin
November 25th, 2023 at 7:25am
A long time classmate, RIP Tom. Condolences to the Family.
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Robert Scott
November 24th, 2023 at 6:42pm
To all who knew and loved Tom aka St. Thomas (private joke between him, my husband, and I)---his death is a shock. What a renaissance man on every level: spiritual, mental, and physical. Tom was a gifted artist in wood and thought. Please know Ric and I share the grief with his family and many, many friends. Love to him across the veil.
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PJ Canonie-Bubin
November 24th, 2023 at 4:13pm