Obituary for Thomas Allen Ruesch
Thomas Allen Ruesch Tom went home to Heaven on October 7th, where he surely found a Lazy Boy, newspaper, and record player waiting for him.
For the last 43 years, he enjoyed being married to his beautiful and devoted bride Jean (nee Martinovich). Tom also was proud father to Peter (Caryn) and Kristin (Alfonso), who grew up hearing endless dad jokes, watching ball games at County Stadium and Miller Park, and receiving endless financial advice. He was also blessed with four grandchildren, Carina, Audrey,Myles, and Julian, who received countless hugs, kisses, and headbutts from their grandpa.
Tom is further survived by his brother Robert (Bonnie), sister Mary, nieces Becky (Tom), Kelly, Courtney (Moncef), Julia (Michael), and Karina, nephews Nick and Aidan, many cousins, and many friends. Tom loved his extended family and even hosted the annual Ruesch family reunion for 12 years in a row. He was also the family’s memory keeper and could recount events as far back as the 50's with remarkable clarity.
Tom was a 1965 graduate of Don Bosco High School. He then attended UW-Whitewater, where he met his lovely wife. After earning a Master’s Degree in Journalism at Marquette University, he was a journalist for various publications for nearly 50 years. He had a quick wit and the memory of an elephant, which proved to be very useful in journalism.
Anyone who knew Tom will tell you he lit up a room; he was always cracking jokes and trying to lighten the mood. He had an electric smile and said “Schlitz” instead of cheese when taking a picture. He was a sports fanatic. On Sunday, he could be found giving the Packers advice from his Lazy Boy. He was often in the stands at County Stadium and Miller Park. He has an impressive bobble head and sports memorabilia collection. He also played baseball and coached his kids’ teams. Most memorably, he was the head coach for the 1998 NBAA 2nd Grade Girls Championship Team.
He loved music, especially the Beatles, Elvis, and the Who. He greatly enjoyed concerts and often enjoyed watching his son’s band Carbellion in Milwaukee and Sheboygan. Tom had a passion for gardening and spent hours tending to his rose garden. He had beautiful flowers, many of which were first rooted in his parents’ garden. He often gave plants to neighbors, friends, and family.
While Tom had firm roots here in Milwaukee, he certainly loved an adventure. Over the years, he traveled to the Grand Canyon, Graceland, Mississippi, Phoenix, Cleveland, the Petrified Forest, Virginia, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas, and many more places. Certainly, he could have a good time wherever he was.
He was also very proud of his grandchildren. He spent many hours playing Sorry with Carina. He loved playing catch with Audrey and Myles, and his arms were always ready for a snuggle with his grandson Julian.
Tom was a 16-year survivor of a heart transplant who defied the odds of survival. He was also a board member of Two Lives, One Heart who regularly visited heart patients to encourage them that a heart transplant and recovery were possible. He made friends wherever he went and always left them smiling.
A visitation will be held on Saturday October 19th at Holy Apostles Church, 16000 W National Ave, New Berlin, WI 53151, from 10 to 11 am followed by a memorial mass at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations made to Two Lives One Heart Foundation are appreciated.
For the last 43 years, he enjoyed being married to his beautiful and devoted bride Jean (nee Martinovich). Tom also was proud father to Peter (Caryn) and Kristin (Alfonso), who grew up hearing endless dad jokes, watching ball games at County Stadium and Miller Park, and receiving endless financial advice. He was also blessed with four grandchildren, Carina, Audrey,Myles, and Julian, who received countless hugs, kisses, and headbutts from their grandpa.
Tom is further survived by his brother Robert (Bonnie), sister Mary, nieces Becky (Tom), Kelly, Courtney (Moncef), Julia (Michael), and Karina, nephews Nick and Aidan, many cousins, and many friends. Tom loved his extended family and even hosted the annual Ruesch family reunion for 12 years in a row. He was also the family’s memory keeper and could recount events as far back as the 50's with remarkable clarity.
Tom was a 1965 graduate of Don Bosco High School. He then attended UW-Whitewater, where he met his lovely wife. After earning a Master’s Degree in Journalism at Marquette University, he was a journalist for various publications for nearly 50 years. He had a quick wit and the memory of an elephant, which proved to be very useful in journalism.
Anyone who knew Tom will tell you he lit up a room; he was always cracking jokes and trying to lighten the mood. He had an electric smile and said “Schlitz” instead of cheese when taking a picture. He was a sports fanatic. On Sunday, he could be found giving the Packers advice from his Lazy Boy. He was often in the stands at County Stadium and Miller Park. He has an impressive bobble head and sports memorabilia collection. He also played baseball and coached his kids’ teams. Most memorably, he was the head coach for the 1998 NBAA 2nd Grade Girls Championship Team.
He loved music, especially the Beatles, Elvis, and the Who. He greatly enjoyed concerts and often enjoyed watching his son’s band Carbellion in Milwaukee and Sheboygan. Tom had a passion for gardening and spent hours tending to his rose garden. He had beautiful flowers, many of which were first rooted in his parents’ garden. He often gave plants to neighbors, friends, and family.
While Tom had firm roots here in Milwaukee, he certainly loved an adventure. Over the years, he traveled to the Grand Canyon, Graceland, Mississippi, Phoenix, Cleveland, the Petrified Forest, Virginia, Missouri, New Mexico, Texas, and many more places. Certainly, he could have a good time wherever he was.
He was also very proud of his grandchildren. He spent many hours playing Sorry with Carina. He loved playing catch with Audrey and Myles, and his arms were always ready for a snuggle with his grandson Julian.
Tom was a 16-year survivor of a heart transplant who defied the odds of survival. He was also a board member of Two Lives, One Heart who regularly visited heart patients to encourage them that a heart transplant and recovery were possible. He made friends wherever he went and always left them smiling.
A visitation will be held on Saturday October 19th at Holy Apostles Church, 16000 W National Ave, New Berlin, WI 53151, from 10 to 11 am followed by a memorial mass at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations made to Two Lives One Heart Foundation are appreciated.