Thomas (Tom) Gannon, Jr. age 75, of Temperance, MI passed away in his home on Tuesday, January 19, 2010, after a prolonged battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend. Tom was born in Jackson, MI on February 21, 1934 to Thomas and Luella Belle (Irish) Gannon. He graduated in 1952 from Bedford High School where he met his wife, Evelyn Smith. Tom was a natural athlete and excelled in virtually every sport he played. Some of his track and field records stood unbroken for decades. He continued his education at Adrian College after earning a football scholarship. Twenty one days after Tom and Evelyn were married in 1955, Tom was drafted into the United States Army. He and Evelyn moved to Erlanger, Germany, were he was to be stationed. After Tom was discharged, they moved to Ann Arbor, MI and started their family. He began his 35-year career as a meat cutter, eventually retiring from Seaway Foodtown as a Meat Dept. Manager. Tom loved music and was a talented singer and performed with several musical groups throughout the years. Tom continued to stay physically fit as an avid golfer and competed in the U.S. Senior Olympics where he was awarded numerous gold medals. In 2002, the Bedford High School Alumni Association named Tom Outstanding Athlete and honored him with an induction into their Hall of Fame. He was a member of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish. Anyone who knew Tom knew of his quick wit and infectious smile.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Evelyn, children: Jim (Jane) Gannon of DE, Julie (Jon) Diener of Temperance, Pam (Steve) Hakes of TX, and Steve Gannon of SC, grandchildren: Christopher, Emily, Jordan, Justin, Evan, Lauren, and Nathan, and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be from 3-9 pm Thursday, January 21st at Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman) Temperance, MI. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am Friday, January 22nd at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church where he will lie in state after 10:00 am. Fr. Stephen Rooney, officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to Hospice of Northwest Ohio. Their compassionate care during the final weeks of Tom’s illness was a blessing. |
