Tom was born February 10‚ 1942‚ in Kalamazoo‚ Michigan. He graduated from Richland High School in 1960. Tom became a Journeyman Millwright after completing a Millwright Apprenticeship. He worked in auto factories‚ paper mills‚ food factories‚ and nuclear power plants until his retirement.
Tom married Janice Irene Mahoney in 1963. He had two children‚ a son‚ John (wife Erin)‚ and a daughter‚ Kimberly. He had two grandchildren‚ Avery Elizabeth and Kendra Lynn. Tom moved his family to Hickory Corners‚ Michigan‚ in 1974‚ and after a fire in their new home he joined the Hickory Corners Fire Department as a firefighter and became fire chief of that department in 1978. While on this department‚ he became president of the Barry County Fire Chiefs Association.
Tom and his family moved to Athens‚ Michigan‚ in 1987. In 1993‚ Tom joined the Athens Township Fire Department as a firefighter and was appointed fire chief of that department in 1998. Tom was involved with the 911 Committee‚ Tri County Firefighters Association‚ and Calhoun County Fire Chiefs Association.
Firefighting was Tom’s life’s passion until his passing on December 31‚ 2010.
Tom and I were close friends, I miss him a lot. A man who through his knowledge and leadership made a great impact for the good of the athens fire dept. Rip tom.
– Robert merchantRest In Peace Brother. You are loved and remembered.
– Samuel Trachet