I was just ready to send a note to Tom, when i received the news of his passing. Now he'll be able to know what I wanted to say. In 1960 Tom told me he was going to be a priest; amazing, he did what he accomplished to do at such a young age. He now knows he was my mentor. Always trying to help me understand certain "meanings", certain "feelings"....he will remember. My thoughts and memories of Tom have always been comfort to me.
Oh, what a disappointment and loss. We had many important and serious talks and always called each other "brother" and "sister". He knew the struggles I had at home during junior/senior year, and always had a sympathetic ear and a strong shoulder. How I looked forward to seeing him again and hearing about his own special journey in life. I had also looked forward to meeting his wife,Peg, as she was obviously the love of his life and must be very special - thank goodnes for her.
Tom Winslow (middle) with fellow clergymen at Ground Zero, NYC
Tom Winslow passed away Thursday, August 23. Tom had been battling lung problems for years since his time volunteering to support those at Ground Zero in New York after 9/11. It resulted in his need for a lung transplant. But even knowing Tom as little as I do, I believe had he known he was exposing himself to such dangers, he would have gone anyway to support his beloved police officers and firemen, with whom he had worked for many years.
But I don’t pretend to be able to tell you about Tom’s life. Look at his profile on our webpage. Read between the lines. There’s a very brave and incredibly giving person revealed there … not to mention a fascinating individual.
Personally, I never knew Tom very well at Custer. I was a typical loud-mouthed jock while Tom never sought the attention. He’d rather have created the spotlight for others. He worked tirelessly with people like Roger Pederson in lighting the stage so that we could enjoy entertainment like “The King and I”, allowing classmates like Bruce Ortman and Jeanne Zinser to shine … literally. Now that I think about it, isn’t that what Tom did by becoming a member of the clergy? He worked selflessly to show others the light … while not seeking the limelight for himself.
But I ask you to revisit the first few pages of our “Message Forum”. Feel Tom’s excitement for rekindling old friendships. See how his enthusiasm for his classmates revealed his witty charm. I can’t tell you how much I personally was looking forward to giving him a hearty hug and then matching good natured barbs with him.
Life is so incredibly fascinating … albeit sometimes devastating. People touch us in such unexpected ways and at totally unsuspected times. It was my very great pleasure to have been touched by Tom even for the briefest of moments.
Tom will be attending our reunion … but, as was his style, not in the spotlight.
Mass will be held for Tom Tuesday evening September 4, 2012,
All Saints Cathedral, 818 East Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee
I am honored to have known Tom while at Custer High School. I remember him as a quiet, persistent and kind man. He grew to be the type of man that creates a huge hole in the hearts of those who loved him when he leaves. I was in awe after reading about his adult life. He was a man who had the courage, strength and wisdom to devote his life and recovery from an insidious disease into serving others. He was a selfless and brave champion!
I was on Facebook the other day, and was amazed to see a post shared from my sister-in-law in GA from a good friend of hers (whom I don't know) in NY, mourning the loss of Tom Winslow, and crediting him with saving his life. It goes along with what Jim C. just said: Tom chose a career that made a huge impact on people's lives, as did many others in our class. I am proud to have known Tom, happy I had a chance to exchange messages with him - thanks to this wonderful website - and enormously sad that we have lost him, and not to have given him a hug at the reunion. My heart goes out to Peg and the many people who knew and loved him.
As I read through the biographies and messages of our classmates, I was struck by how many went on to teaching, nursing, improving and influencing the lives of others. Perhaps, if there is a legacy to the CHS class of '62, it is that so many, like Tom, went on to create their own legacies for others.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
The Milwaukee Journal has a wonderful article about Tom. He had overcome a lot in his lifetime. You can read the obituary at www.jsonline.com and click on "Obituaries".
Rest in peace, Tom. I was looking forward to meeting you again. I pray I will some day.
Do you remember that you asked me to marry you, before Peg came along?
No, wait...I'm confusing reality with fiction. You, as my very dear "Sir Edward Ramsay" in The King and I actually said, "Anna, do you remember that I once asked you to marry me...before Tom came along?" You never let me forget that line, teasing me with it constantly after our "run" with the show was over. "Anna" and "Edward" considered themselves close friends for so long, even though they had been separated by distance and years. They were ultimately reunited after a very long time. I guess I was looking for life to imitate art, expecting to renew a friendship that began well over 50 years ago. Such was not to be, even though we attempted a renewal through messages when the Custer website began. I will miss what might have been, but I will never forget the wonderful friendship we shared so long ago. You helped me through some difficult high school turmoil, as you did for so many others. As we all know now, you suffered your own turmoil through the years, and you survived to help so many more. You will be greatly missed, dear "Edward"...missed but NEVER forgotten.
Attended Tom's beautiful church funeral and finally met his loving family. His grandson stole my heart as he stood before all, professing his love and stories about his grandfather, with tears in his eyes. I hope someday my grand daughter will do me that same honor. For now, I'm thrilled to feel her love in life.
Tom's life stories amazed me, as expressed by the Bishop, family and friends. The family also had hundreds of photos of Tom and his interactions with family, friends, church members, military, police, Salvation Army, firefighters -- and the list goes on and on. He touched many lives and will long be remembered for those valuable and lasting contributions.
Altho' I didn't know him in recent years, I feel as tho' 50 years never stood between us. My sympathies to the loving family Tom shared while here in this life.
Joy Davolt (Anderson)
I was just ready to send a note to Tom, when i received the news of his passing. Now he'll be able to know what I wanted to say. In 1960 Tom told me he was going to be a priest; amazing, he did what he accomplished to do at such a young age. He now knows he was my mentor. Always trying to help me understand certain "meanings", certain "feelings"....he will remember. My thoughts and memories of Tom have always been comfort to me.
Thanks Tom!
Nancy Davison (Boerger)
Oh, what a disappointment and loss. We had many important and serious talks and always called each other "brother" and "sister". He knew the struggles I had at home during junior/senior year, and always had a sympathetic ear and a strong shoulder. How I looked forward to seeing him again and hearing about his own special journey in life. I had also looked forward to meeting his wife,Peg, as she was obviously the love of his life and must be very special - thank goodnes for her.
Nancy (Davison) Boerger
Garry Sellers
Thank you Jeanne Zinser Gottschalk for providing a link to an interesting article about Tom in the Milwaukee Journal.
http://bit.ly/OgVdCa
Tom Winslow
May 24, 1944 - August 23, 2012
Tom Winslow (middle) with fellow clergymen at Ground Zero, NYC
Tom Winslow passed away Thursday, August 23. Tom had been battling lung problems for years since his time volunteering to support those at Ground Zero in New York after 9/11. It resulted in his need for a lung transplant. But even knowing Tom as little as I do, I believe had he known he was exposing himself to such dangers, he would have gone anyway to support his beloved police officers and firemen, with whom he had worked for many years.
But I don’t pretend to be able to tell you about Tom’s life. Look at his profile on our webpage. Read between the lines. There’s a very brave and incredibly giving person revealed there … not to mention a fascinating individual.
Personally, I never knew Tom very well at Custer. I was a typical loud-mouthed jock while Tom never sought the attention. He’d rather have created the spotlight for others. He worked tirelessly with people like Roger Pederson in lighting the stage so that we could enjoy entertainment like “The King and I”, allowing classmates like Bruce Ortman and Jeanne Zinser to shine … literally. Now that I think about it, isn’t that what Tom did by becoming a member of the clergy? He worked selflessly to show others the light … while not seeking the limelight for himself.
But I ask you to revisit the first few pages of our “Message Forum”. Feel Tom’s excitement for rekindling old friendships. See how his enthusiasm for his classmates revealed his witty charm. I can’t tell you how much I personally was looking forward to giving him a hearty hug and then matching good natured barbs with him.
Life is so incredibly fascinating … albeit sometimes devastating. People touch us in such unexpected ways and at totally unsuspected times. It was my very great pleasure to have been touched by Tom even for the briefest of moments.
Tom will be attending our reunion … but, as was his style, not in the spotlight.
Mass will be held for Tom Tuesday evening September 4, 2012,
All Saints Cathedral, 818 East Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee
Marilyn Griffith (Bauer)
I am honored to have known Tom while at Custer High School. I remember him as a quiet, persistent and kind man. He grew to be the type of man that creates a huge hole in the hearts of those who loved him when he leaves. I was in awe after reading about his adult life. He was a man who had the courage, strength and wisdom to devote his life and recovery from an insidious disease into serving others. He was a selfless and brave champion!
Terri Levenhagen (Hoornstra)
I was on Facebook the other day, and was amazed to see a post shared from my sister-in-law in GA from a good friend of hers (whom I don't know) in NY, mourning the loss of Tom Winslow, and crediting him with saving his life. It goes along with what Jim C. just said: Tom chose a career that made a huge impact on people's lives, as did many others in our class. I am proud to have known Tom, happy I had a chance to exchange messages with him - thanks to this wonderful website - and enormously sad that we have lost him, and not to have given him a hug at the reunion. My heart goes out to Peg and the many people who knew and loved him.
Jim Cejka
As I read through the biographies and messages of our classmates, I was struck by how many went on to teaching, nursing, improving and influencing the lives of others. Perhaps, if there is a legacy to the CHS class of '62, it is that so many, like Tom, went on to create their own legacies for others.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal."
Kathleen Piette (Iwinski)
The Milwaukee Journal has a wonderful article about Tom. He had overcome a lot in his lifetime. You can read the obituary at www.jsonline.com and click on "Obituaries".
Rest in peace, Tom. I was looking forward to meeting you again. I pray I will some day.
Jeanne Zinser (Gottschalk)
Karen Krause
Attended Tom's beautiful church funeral and finally met his loving family. His grandson stole my heart as he stood before all, professing his love and stories about his grandfather, with tears in his eyes. I hope someday my grand daughter will do me that same honor. For now, I'm thrilled to feel her love in life.
Tom's life stories amazed me, as expressed by the Bishop, family and friends. The family also had hundreds of photos of Tom and his interactions with family, friends, church members, military, police, Salvation Army, firefighters -- and the list goes on and on. He touched many lives and will long be remembered for those valuable and lasting contributions.
Altho' I didn't know him in recent years, I feel as tho' 50 years never stood between us. My sympathies to the loving family Tom shared while here in this life.
Judith Rank (Hahn)
I CAN HARDLY BELIEVE IT BUT GOD HAS HIM NOW IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL MARRIAGE YOUR LOVE WILL ALWAYS BE THERE FOR HIN
IN CHRISTIAN LOVE JUDY HAHN