Thomas "Tom" Cizek

Thomas (Tom) Joseph Cizek, of Traverse City Michigan, passed away on September 24, 2025, following a year-long battle with an aggressive form of an advanced stage cancer. As was his preference most of his life, he was surrounded by his family at home. He was 64. Tom was born on May 21, 1961, in Cincinnati, Ohio to Helen and Donald Cizek. After unexpectedly losing his father and grandparents at the age of 5, Tom was faced with considerable hardship that led to a life-long appreciation for family, making him a dedicated and loving father and husband. While in grade school, he and his family moved to Traverse City, Michigan where he would later attend Traverse City Central High School and become a talented athlete. While at Central High, Tom competed on the golf team and was a proud member of the 1978 State Championship football team before graduating in 1979. Tom went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and began work as the Assistant Director of Public Works for Meridian Township. During a friends bike trip, riding over 400 miles from Lansing to Mackinaw, Tom met the love of his life and future wife Kate. They went on to marry a year later in late October of 1989. Shortly after, Tom and Kate moved back to Traverse City where Tom began working for Interlochen Center for the Arts. In 2003 he changed careers and began working for Farmers Insurance. Shortly after Tom founded the Tom Cizek Agency, where he served his community proudly for the past 20 years. Throughout all of Tom’s personal and professional accomplishments, there was nothing that made him prouder than the family he and Kate started. From countless hours coaching and cheering on youth sports teams, to miles driven to and from games and practices, he never missed an opportunity to cheer on his children, Laura and Don. From football fields to softball and baseball diamonds, college graduations and PhD ceremonies, like most things in his life, he was consistently present and above all, a proud father. Tom was always the biggest supporter of all his children’s dreams no matter what size or shape and was the first to call and congratulate or offer support when his family needed him the most. His unwavering support and calm demeanor throughout the highs and lows was always expressed through his consistent response, “that’s just what father’s do.” Laura and Don went on to marry two MSU Spartan graduates, and Tom welcomed his new son-in-law and daughter-in-law into the family with the same love and support he gave his own children. After welcoming his first granddaughter, Madeline, and already the proud grandfather of his two-year-old grandson, Jett, Tom had just started what was sure to be his most fulfilling chapter. As proud of a father as he was, few things in life drew a larger smile than spending time with his grandkids or hearing them ask for “Papa.” Tom lived life with immense amounts of joy and optimism, and always put time spent with his family above all else. He was an avid lifelong golfer, downhill skier, and spent as much time as he could on the boat with family and friends. Tom was not only an incredible husband and father, but a loyal and selfless friend. He was always there for those he loved, provide words of encouragement, or simply put a smile on their face with his never-ending humor. Throughout the toughest moments of Tom’s life, he continued to meet each day with optimism, determination, and courage. He will be missed tremendously by all those that knew and loved him. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Donald Cizek and stepfather Roger Kabbes. He is survived by his wife Kate, daughter Laura (Michael) Gorman, son Donovan (Abigail) Cizek, two grandchildren Jett and Madeline Gorman, Mother Helen Kabbes, brothers Greg (Julie) Cizek, Randal (Betsy) Cizek, sister Donna (Mark) Stein, sister-in-law Judy Yates along with cherished nieces, nephews and their children. A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 15th, 2025, at The Park Place Hotel Grand Ballroom in Traverse City MI. A Luncheon Open House will immediately follow from 12:00-3:00 pm, also at the Park Place Hotel, where family will accept visitors in the Grand Ballroom. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cowell Family Cancer Center or to the Traverse City West or Central Athletic Departments in Tom’s memory.

Thomas "Tom" Cizek

May 21, 1961 - September 24, 2025