Thomas Holden Patrick George Ronayne was a leap year baby, born on February 29th, 1940. He was a renaissance man, spending 5 years in Catholic Seminary, teaching English as a Second Language in New York, and driving a taxi in Detroit. Tom found his bride, Marie (Grace), frying smelt with fellow students in an apartment at Wayne State University in April, 1967. Married in November, 1967, Tom settled into a career in sales and advertising. Tom was a great fan of the city of Detroit, a Proud Irishman, and a dedicated Catholic, at times joining the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Knights of Columbus in social and fundraising activities. Having raised his two girls, Ann (Ronayne), and Maureen (Loftus), Tom "retired" to Northern Michigan, where he delighted in working in the transportation department at Interlochen Academy of the Arts. Tom was a proud member of many church choirs, most recently at Saint Patrick's Parish in Traverse City, and was a connoisseur of political philosophy. He will be missed by wife Marie, daughters Maureen and Ann, sons-in-law Jim Loftus and Kieran Goodman, and granddaughters Grace and Kaelin Loftus.
A funeral mass honoring Thomas will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m., on Friday, February 16, 2018, at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, 630 S. West Silver Lake Rd, Traverse City, MI 49685, a luncheon will follow. Rev. Fr. Greg McCallum will officiate.
Those planning an expression of sympathy many wish to consider a memorial donation to the Interlochen Arts Academy, P.O. Box 199, Interlochen, Michigan 49643.
Please feel free to share your thoughts and memories with Tom's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .
The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.