Thomas Richard Mack, 83, of Traverse City, died peacefully at home on Friday, August 29th, with his wife by his side.
He was born to the late Louis and Clarice (Johnson) Mack, on January 12, 1931, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Tom grew up in Kingsley and spent many a wonderful summer on Spider Lake. He graduated from Kingsley High School in 1949. Tom Joined the Navy and was a radar operator on the destroyer U.S.S Haynsworth. When he finished his tour, he used his G.I. Bill to earn a degree from Central Michigan University and went on to earn his Master's degree from Michigan State University. He married Esther May Noteware on June 14, 1958. They lived and raised their 3 daughters in Traverse City.
Tom was an educator for over 34 years, who was very innovative and passionate about both teaching and learning. In his free time, Tom enjoyed reading books, gardening, kayaking, cross-country skiing, meditation, yoga, hunting, bicycling and spending time with his friends and family. Tom had acreage in Leelanau County and built a hand-hewn log cabin.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jerry Mack. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Esther (Noteware) Mack. He will also be greatly missed by his daughters; Sue (Blake) Vance, Nan (Mark) Dancer and Joanie (Ted) Kunnath. He was very proud of his grandchildren and always made time for them: Brady (Heather), Mackenzie and Lily Vance, Spencer Mack and Michael De Lucia.
Tom was a very spiritual man borrowing from both Catholicism and Buddhism. His funeral service will be at St. Francis Catholic Church on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will take place at the church beginning at 10:00 AM.
Donations can be made to the Father Fred Foundation or The Saint Francis Food Pantry.
Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.