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Thomas Gilleran Obituary
Thomas W. Gilleran
Thomas William "Tom" Gilleran, 77, of Findlay, passed away peacefully Friday, March 22, 2024, at Birchaven Village.
He was born April 17, 1946, in Biloxi, Mississippi, at Keesler Army Air Field to Captain Thomas W. Gilleran, U.S. Army Air Corps, and Mary Noreen (Boyle).
He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended St. Alphonsus High School. He
shared stories of being asked to teach the day's lessons to his classmates when teachers were absent and playing football. He continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Eastern Michigan University where he also played football for the university. He was the third-string quarterback, laughing that he didn't have a lot of accuracy or speed, but he could throw the ball farther than anyone on the team. Tom left Eastern Michigan University after one year to start a family. He built a house in Milford and became a father to Lori and Tom.
He followed his stepdad, Steve, into International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local 58 in Detroit, where he was proudly involved for 58 years. He worked as an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, and general foreman, earning the respect of his fellow electricians and his employers.
He married Cindy in 1984 and became stepdad ("Papa") to Jennifer. They spent their lives together in Lincoln Park, MI, Waterford, MI and White Lake, MI, as they worked and enjoyed time with their children, families, and friends. His children and grandchildren provided a constant source of immense pride and joy.
Tom and Cindy retired in 2005 and moved to Florida, but kept strong ties to the Midwest, first snow-birding and then returning to Michigan and settling in Findlay to be near his family. His love for his family and friends was always on display. His annual reading of The Night Before Christmas was anticipated by all. His smile could light up the room. His beautiful blue eyes sparkled and his spectacular mustache bobbed when he would throw his head back in a hearty laugh, which happened often. He was well read. He was a Jeopardy enthusiast with a love/hate relationship with Alex Trebek. Perhaps it was a mustache thing.
He also loved sports, both watching and playing. He played volleyball and softball, but golf was his true passion, once shooting a hole-in-one. He and his brother, Steve, had season tickets to the Detroit Pistons during the "Bad Boys" era, frequently playing ping-pong or pool to determine who got the aisle seat. He was an avid fan of the University of Michigan football team and was pleased to see them win a National Championship just a few months before his death.
Tom liked to take motorcycle trips with his friends. A favorite story to be recounted and heard was his trip to Boston in 1976 to hear the Boston Pops for Independence Day, where Tom and a friend were welcomed into a Bostonian family and treated like honored guests at their celebration. He even took some airplane trips with his family after earning his private pilot's license.
He loved to travel. He traveled extensively throughout the United States, including at least 42 states. His farthest journey took him to China. He visited Ireland. Most recently, he and Cindy traveled by train from Vancouver to Calgary through the Canadian Rockies. He wouldn't have traveled that far in a train again, even if he could.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 40 years, Cynthia of Findlay; brother, Jim and sister-in-law, Nancy of Flat Rock, Michigan; sister-in-law, Michele Gruchala of White Lake, Michigan; children, Lori Borgeld of Lowell, Michigan, Tom of Stockbridge, Georgia, and Jennifer (Mike) Denike of Findlay; nine grandchildren, Eric, Ellen (Alex), Kelli, Haley, Tommy, Tori, Ivy, Ellie, and Drew; nieces and nephews, James (Sara), John, Alex, and Andrea; and many cousins and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Sr. and Mary; stepdad, Steve Gruchala; and brother, Steve Gruchala.
His death was preceded by an "isolated incident" in July, 2022, that proved what a strong man he was with a remarkable will to live. While the last 18 months weren't what he'd hoped them to be, he was always surrounded by family, friends, and staff who loved and supported him and were entertained by his quick wit, biting tongue, and exceptional charm.
Tom's family would like to acknowledge the village of physicians, nurses, aides, therapists, and other caregivers who made his life not only better with their knowledge and skills, but brighter with their friendship and care. The list is too long to run the risk of forgetting anyone by name but just know how deeply we love and thank you.
Tom's celebration of life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at The Birchaven Clubhouse, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay, Ohio, 45840. You may find the Clubhouse by driving past the main entrance and it is just around the curve on the right. Please feel free to dress comfortably and wear Michigan gear if so inclined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Grace Speaks, 1331 Tiffin Ave., Findlay, (https://www.grace-speaks.org/donation).
Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.
Thomas William "Tom" Gilleran, 77, of Findlay, passed away peacefully Friday, March 22, 2024, at Birchaven Village.
He was born April 17, 1946, in Biloxi, Mississippi, at Keesler Army Air Field to Captain Thomas W. Gilleran, U.S. Army Air Corps, and Mary Noreen (Boyle).
He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where he attended St. Alphonsus High School. He
shared stories of being asked to teach the day's lessons to his classmates when teachers were absent and playing football. He continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Eastern Michigan University where he also played football for the university. He was the third-string quarterback, laughing that he didn't have a lot of accuracy or speed, but he could throw the ball farther than anyone on the team. Tom left Eastern Michigan University after one year to start a family. He built a house in Milford and became a father to Lori and Tom.
He followed his stepdad, Steve, into International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) local 58 in Detroit, where he was proudly involved for 58 years. He worked as an apprentice, journeyman, foreman, and general foreman, earning the respect of his fellow electricians and his employers.
He married Cindy in 1984 and became stepdad ("Papa") to Jennifer. They spent their lives together in Lincoln Park, MI, Waterford, MI and White Lake, MI, as they worked and enjoyed time with their children, families, and friends. His children and grandchildren provided a constant source of immense pride and joy.
Tom and Cindy retired in 2005 and moved to Florida, but kept strong ties to the Midwest, first snow-birding and then returning to Michigan and settling in Findlay to be near his family. His love for his family and friends was always on display. His annual reading of The Night Before Christmas was anticipated by all. His smile could light up the room. His beautiful blue eyes sparkled and his spectacular mustache bobbed when he would throw his head back in a hearty laugh, which happened often. He was well read. He was a Jeopardy enthusiast with a love/hate relationship with Alex Trebek. Perhaps it was a mustache thing.
He also loved sports, both watching and playing. He played volleyball and softball, but golf was his true passion, once shooting a hole-in-one. He and his brother, Steve, had season tickets to the Detroit Pistons during the "Bad Boys" era, frequently playing ping-pong or pool to determine who got the aisle seat. He was an avid fan of the University of Michigan football team and was pleased to see them win a National Championship just a few months before his death.
Tom liked to take motorcycle trips with his friends. A favorite story to be recounted and heard was his trip to Boston in 1976 to hear the Boston Pops for Independence Day, where Tom and a friend were welcomed into a Bostonian family and treated like honored guests at their celebration. He even took some airplane trips with his family after earning his private pilot's license.
He loved to travel. He traveled extensively throughout the United States, including at least 42 states. His farthest journey took him to China. He visited Ireland. Most recently, he and Cindy traveled by train from Vancouver to Calgary through the Canadian Rockies. He wouldn't have traveled that far in a train again, even if he could.
He is survived by his loving wife of almost 40 years, Cynthia of Findlay; brother, Jim and sister-in-law, Nancy of Flat Rock, Michigan; sister-in-law, Michele Gruchala of White Lake, Michigan; children, Lori Borgeld of Lowell, Michigan, Tom of Stockbridge, Georgia, and Jennifer (Mike) Denike of Findlay; nine grandchildren, Eric, Ellen (Alex), Kelli, Haley, Tommy, Tori, Ivy, Ellie, and Drew; nieces and nephews, James (Sara), John, Alex, and Andrea; and many cousins and friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Sr. and Mary; stepdad, Steve Gruchala; and brother, Steve Gruchala.
His death was preceded by an "isolated incident" in July, 2022, that proved what a strong man he was with a remarkable will to live. While the last 18 months weren't what he'd hoped them to be, he was always surrounded by family, friends, and staff who loved and supported him and were entertained by his quick wit, biting tongue, and exceptional charm.
Tom's family would like to acknowledge the village of physicians, nurses, aides, therapists, and other caregivers who made his life not only better with their knowledge and skills, but brighter with their friendship and care. The list is too long to run the risk of forgetting anyone by name but just know how deeply we love and thank you.
Tom's celebration of life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2024, at The Birchaven Clubhouse, 15100 Birchaven Lane, Findlay, Ohio, 45840. You may find the Clubhouse by driving past the main entrance and it is just around the curve on the right. Please feel free to dress comfortably and wear Michigan gear if so inclined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Grace Speaks, 1331 Tiffin Ave., Findlay, (https://www.grace-speaks.org/donation).
Online condolences may be shared with the family via www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Published by The Courier on Mar. 27, 2024.
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