Thomas E. Gartland

Thomas Errol Gartland, born the fourth of September, 1946, passed from this world on the fifth of July, 2021, achieving seventy-four years of kindness, generosity and caring for all those who knew and loved him, along with many people he never met. He graduated from St. Joseph’s College with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, acquiring his CPA license in 1972, his Masters of Business Administration in 1981, and his Certified Financial Planner license in 1987. As a professional, he was known for honesty and integrity during his forty-five year career as a founding partner of Dennis, Gartland and Niergarth, an accounting firm that gained local and national respect during and after his tenure. As President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Gladhander Auction, Treasurer and Chairman of the GTACS School Board and member of the Education Foundation, he was known for his calm demeanor and competent leadership. He served as Chairman and as a long-time member of the Munson Healthcare Board. He was honored in 2014 with the James Decker Munson Award for Service. He was a strong supporter and volunteer at the Father Fred Foundation, as well as member and past President of Rotary Charities. He also served as a member of the Carmelite Golf Committee and was President and Treasurer of the Shumsky Foundation. As a decade’s long member of St. Francis, he served the church in various capacities and was a staunch and devoted Catholic, taking solace, comfort, and direction from his faith throughout his life. Tom was a devoted golfer and loved to fish. He took great joy in watching his grandchildren grow and pride in the accomplishments of his children. Tom Gartland was as good and kind a man as there ever could be. He was loved by many. The world was a better place for having had him in it. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Catherine (Callahan) Gartland; his siblings, Mary Pat, Jim, Ruthanne and his twin brother Bob; his mother and father-in-law John and Gail Connor and his daughter-in-law, Abby (Mahan) Gartland. He is survived by his loving wife of forty-eight years, Karen (Connor); his children, Brian, Erin, Patrick and Daniel; his daughters-in-law Rachele (Bruscato) and Erin (Prasse) and son-in-law Matthew Vollmer. His eight grand-children are Buzz, Eloise, Gus and Jane Vollmer, Madeline and Greta Gartland, and Scarlet and Brooks Gartland. He is survived by his siblings, Jane and Kevin White, Mike and Lois Gartland, Dave and Ronda Gartland, and other extended family and friends too numerous to list. Visitation will be held Monday, July 12th from 5:00PM to 7:00PM At Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home with the rosary held at 6:30. Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM on Tuesday, July 13th at St. Francis Church. Donations in lieu of flowers can be sent to The Father Fred Foundation or The Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools.

Thomas E. Gartland

September 4, 1946 - July 5, 2021