Obituary for Terrence J. "Terry" Tomaszewski
Terrence “Terry” James Tomaszewski
Age 79, of Oconomowoc, passed away in his sleep from complications of IBM (Inclusion Body Myositis) on January 26, 2021. Terry is survived by Barbara, his wife of 54 years, four children Lynn (Tim Fojtik) Tomaszewski, Lori (Dave) Bogie, Mark (Jenniffer) Tomaszewski, Paul (Mary) Tomaszewski; nine grandchildren Lydia Fojtik, Katie Bogie, Serene Tomaszewski, Molly Bogie, Oona Fojtik, Esmé Tomaszewski, Sarah Bogie, Jacob Tomaszewski, Nina Tomaszewski. Terry is also survived by his brother, Allen (Patty) Tomaszewski and his sister Karen (Hank) Pleuss and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends. Son of the late Alvin Norbert Tomaszewski and Cecelia Dorothy Tomaszewski.
Terry was a graduate of Pulaski High School and MATC, and served his country as a member of the Air National Guard. Terry found his calling when he learned to code from a colleague at AC Spark Plug. Terry made a living for the next 40+ years as a largely self-taught computer programmer who worked in the mortgage industry for many years (Fleet Mortgage, Universal Mortgage). Extraordinarily patient and disciplined, he took enormous pride in the problems he solved and the work he did throughout his career. Upon retiring, he followed in his father’s footsteps and committed himself avidly to his second career as an usher at Miller Park, where for over 15 years he shared his love of Brewers baseball and helping people by educating Cubs fans on basic Milwaukee etiquette. Terry lived an active life (playing on copious baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, bowling and horseshoe teams, volunteering at St. John’s Parish in South Milwaukee). He was also a long time member of the Lions Club and kept busy serving others as a poll worker, coordinator of his high school reunions, board member of the Muskego Library, senior taxi volunteer, and many other activities.
Terry and Barbara’s journey together took them from Oak Creek to South Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Florence and Columbia, South Carolina, and eventually back to the Milwaukee area (Menomonee Falls, Muskego and finally Oconomowoc) where Terry spent his final years enjoying time close to his children and grandchildren. He modeled for his family and friends how to live their best lives by always taking the time to share a beer or a meal, and sometimes a lecture. He lived with humility, curiosity, and an authentic love of life. He loved music, played the accordion and loved to dance a polka at family gatherings. His generosity, patience, kindness, and sense of humor warmed the hearts, lifted spirits, and filled his life with friends far and wide.
Terry was immensely proud of his four children, and he supported them in every imaginable way-- as a coach, a teacher, a bank, a babysitter, and always a source of advice-- at every stage of life, serving as both a bedrock of support and a buoy of confidence. Terry’s influence on their lives has been and will continue to be enormous. Truly, immeasurable, Terry’s love and support extended to his nine grandchildren for whom he expressed extraordinary exuberance at every first word and step, performance, competition, graduation, and any other milestone. Every accomplishment, large and small, was worthy of acknowledgement or celebration. Each one of them always knew Grandpa had their back.
Known for being the last to leave the party, nothing would bring him more joy than if friends would raise their glass, tell a story, and have a laugh in his honor.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life Ceremony at Friday, July 30 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM CT, Lake Vista Park Pavilion - 4001 E Lake Vista Pkwy Oak Creek, WI. Known for being the last to leave the party, nothing would bring him more joy than if friends would raise their glass, tell a story, and have a laugh in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to support IBM research or to your local Lions Club.
“Terry Tomaszewski Memorial Campaign”
https://www.myositis.org/get-involved/fundraise/campaigns/terry-tomaszewski-memorial-fund/
Age 79, of Oconomowoc, passed away in his sleep from complications of IBM (Inclusion Body Myositis) on January 26, 2021. Terry is survived by Barbara, his wife of 54 years, four children Lynn (Tim Fojtik) Tomaszewski, Lori (Dave) Bogie, Mark (Jenniffer) Tomaszewski, Paul (Mary) Tomaszewski; nine grandchildren Lydia Fojtik, Katie Bogie, Serene Tomaszewski, Molly Bogie, Oona Fojtik, Esmé Tomaszewski, Sarah Bogie, Jacob Tomaszewski, Nina Tomaszewski. Terry is also survived by his brother, Allen (Patty) Tomaszewski and his sister Karen (Hank) Pleuss and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, friends. Son of the late Alvin Norbert Tomaszewski and Cecelia Dorothy Tomaszewski.
Terry was a graduate of Pulaski High School and MATC, and served his country as a member of the Air National Guard. Terry found his calling when he learned to code from a colleague at AC Spark Plug. Terry made a living for the next 40+ years as a largely self-taught computer programmer who worked in the mortgage industry for many years (Fleet Mortgage, Universal Mortgage). Extraordinarily patient and disciplined, he took enormous pride in the problems he solved and the work he did throughout his career. Upon retiring, he followed in his father’s footsteps and committed himself avidly to his second career as an usher at Miller Park, where for over 15 years he shared his love of Brewers baseball and helping people by educating Cubs fans on basic Milwaukee etiquette. Terry lived an active life (playing on copious baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, bowling and horseshoe teams, volunteering at St. John’s Parish in South Milwaukee). He was also a long time member of the Lions Club and kept busy serving others as a poll worker, coordinator of his high school reunions, board member of the Muskego Library, senior taxi volunteer, and many other activities.
Terry and Barbara’s journey together took them from Oak Creek to South Milwaukee, Stevens Point, Florence and Columbia, South Carolina, and eventually back to the Milwaukee area (Menomonee Falls, Muskego and finally Oconomowoc) where Terry spent his final years enjoying time close to his children and grandchildren. He modeled for his family and friends how to live their best lives by always taking the time to share a beer or a meal, and sometimes a lecture. He lived with humility, curiosity, and an authentic love of life. He loved music, played the accordion and loved to dance a polka at family gatherings. His generosity, patience, kindness, and sense of humor warmed the hearts, lifted spirits, and filled his life with friends far and wide.
Terry was immensely proud of his four children, and he supported them in every imaginable way-- as a coach, a teacher, a bank, a babysitter, and always a source of advice-- at every stage of life, serving as both a bedrock of support and a buoy of confidence. Terry’s influence on their lives has been and will continue to be enormous. Truly, immeasurable, Terry’s love and support extended to his nine grandchildren for whom he expressed extraordinary exuberance at every first word and step, performance, competition, graduation, and any other milestone. Every accomplishment, large and small, was worthy of acknowledgement or celebration. Each one of them always knew Grandpa had their back.
Known for being the last to leave the party, nothing would bring him more joy than if friends would raise their glass, tell a story, and have a laugh in his honor.
The family will hold a Celebration of Life Ceremony at Friday, July 30 from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM CT, Lake Vista Park Pavilion - 4001 E Lake Vista Pkwy Oak Creek, WI. Known for being the last to leave the party, nothing would bring him more joy than if friends would raise their glass, tell a story, and have a laugh in his honor.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to support IBM research or to your local Lions Club.
“Terry Tomaszewski Memorial Campaign”
https://www.myositis.org/get-involved/fundraise/campaigns/terry-tomaszewski-memorial-fund/