Thomas Joseph Tillman 4/9/28 - 2/13/19 Always a faithful servant of the Lord, Tom Tillman was called to eternal life the evening of Wednesday, February 13, 2019, surrounded by the love and prayers of family and friends. Born April 9th, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio to Ralph and Mildred "Mid" (Gessner) Tillman, Tom was the eldest child and only son followed by younger sister Diane (Tillman) McGee and beloved sister, Nancy, who, having been born with Down syndrome, forged a lasting place in Tom's heart for those with special needs. Educated in the Catholic tradition, Tom's formative years were spent at Toledo's Gesu Catholic School, followed by Lasalle Catholic Military Academy in Long Island, New York, where he excelled academically, testing out and graduating in three years. While at LaSalle, Tom's weekends were sometimes spent, at the behest of his father, in New York City, where he lodged at the Waldorf Astoria and spent evenings entertained by a young Frank Sinatra! At the age of 17, Tom entered Purdue University, Indiana, and by 1949 had earned the first of what would eventually become numerous degrees - a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. In spectacular style, On October 8, 1949, Tom married his lifetime love and grade school sweetheart, Patricia (Pat) Monaghan Tillman at Gesu Catholic Church in Toledo, OH, followed by a reception at the Toledo Club. The newlyweds relocated to New York as Tom accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Railroad, working on Steam locomotives in Grand Central Station. This early career in the locomotive industry began a lifelong love affair with rail travel for the couple. Their marriage was graced by many trips along the rails both in the continental US and abroad, including the Orient Express. When asked why he loved to travel by train, he would reply, "Because it takes time. You can slow down, enjoy and watch the scenery unfold before you. Tom's next career move called the couple back to Toledo, to join the family owned Unicast Steel Corporation, eventually working his way to the position of Vice President. While at Unicast, and content in Toledo surrounded by the love of both of their families, Tom and Pat found it was time to begin their own family, welcoming their first child, son Tom in 1955, followed shortly by daughter Tracy ("The Apple of Tom's eye"), and son's Scott and Todd, only 10 months apart. These were busy years filled with the laughter of children around the pool, family gatherings, sailboat trips to Cedar Point and a great deal of love. The family business, Unicast, was eventually sold against the wishes of both Tom and his father, Ralph Tillman. Not one to lament his losses, Tom enrolled at the University of Toledo, graduating with an MBA in 1969 and moving his family to Milwaukee, WI to accept a new, challenging position with Grede Steel as Vice President of Technology. Tom and his family readily embraced the many gifts only those who reside in Wisconsin can understand: The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (Tom and Pat held season tickets), the beauty of Lake Michigan (Tom crewed on the Rodenkirk sailing team), the endless miles of bike trails (Tom biked Sagbraw Wisconsin's oldest cross state bicycle tour several times), the Green Bay Packers (Tom relished his position as assistant coach on game day in front of the TV) and, of course, his Faith Community at St. Mary Parish, where Tom was a constant fixture in the front pew, lending his booming baritone to song, his time to RCIA, his perspective to Father Chuck's Tuesday Scripture Study and his wisdom to his cherished RENEW Group. Eventually Tom left the steel industry to pursue his real calling, teaching, accepting a position as a professor at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), while simultaneously completing a second Masters Degree Program, this one in Computer Science, from Marquette University in 1986. Tom's true passion was education and helping others, and upon retirement he spent much of his time tutoring inner-city youth, mentoring at risk students and assisting grandchildren with homework whenever they would allow! He especially loved working with little children, teaching first graders to read. He also had an enormous heart full of love and patience for anyone with special needs, always keeping sister Nancy's memory close. Tom Tillman was a true gentleman, a lifelong learner with a brilliant mind, a thirst for knowledge and a willingness to share the gifts he was given. A humble man, he was always available with words of wisdom, a heart of forgiveness, and an unshakable moral character. He was a devoted Purdue Boilermaker and a Green Bay Packer football fan. Tom had a steel will and was motivated by the principals of physics, especially Newton's Law "A body in motion stays in motion" exercising daily at the YMCA, bicycling until recent years and striving to be independent and mobile until his last days. He was a patron of the arts, specifically the symphony. A foodie before it was even a term, Tom loved sharing a great meal and an exceptional glass of red wine. Most of all, Tom was a man of great faith, a strong patriarch who always put family first, striving to set the example for us all. We will forever be grateful for the time we shared here, but, as has been promised us Tom, good and faithful servant, we will be reunited again in our eternal home in heaven someday. Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Pat Tillman (Monaghan), his children; Tom (Carla) Tillman, Tracy (Eric) Tormoen, and Scott (Tracy) Tillman and daughter in-law Sue Tillman, as well as sister Diane McGee (Tillman). He will be fondly remembered by his nine grandchildren and one great grandchild: Tom and Chris Tillman, Brittany and Kali Tormoen, Nick (Jessica) Tillman, Shelbi Robertson (along with great grand-daughter Kapri), Joey Tillman, and Evan and John Tillman. Preceded in death by Sister Nancy Tillman and youngest son, Todd Tillman who, undoubtedly, are awaiting him with open arms. Visitation Thursday, February 21st, 2019, 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., St. Mary Catholic Faith Community, 9520 W. Forest Home Avenue, Hales Corners, Wisconsin 53130. Mass of Christian Burial at 1:00 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at the St. Mary Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following: The ALS Association of WI; The Alzheimer's Association; St. Mary Catholic Faith Community