Thomas Piekarz

Tom grew up working on the family farm. He was known to be an exceptional marksman, a talent he showcased by shooting chickens off the roof when he and Jerry were given .22 rifles by their Uncle Phil.

He attended Gilman School, where he played for the Gilman football team. During one memorable high school football game, Gilman triumphed with a score of 27 to 0, and Tom scored all 27 points. He graduated in 1965.

After high school, Tom entered the workforce, initially working at Presto before beginning his long career with Payne and Dolan in 1969, which eventually brought him to Marquette, Michigan. Starting as a basic laborer, he worked his way up to become a grading crew foreman, then an asphalt paving foreman, and finally head project manager, a role he held until his retirement in 2009.

While in Marquette, Tom met and married Jill Connors in 1982. Together, they adopted a baby girl, Shayla Katherina Marie. They later divorced.

Tom had a deep love for the outdoors. In Marquette, he enjoyed hunting, fishing on Lake Superior, and riding his Harley. After retiring, he returned to his roots in Gilman, where he continued his passion for bow and rifle hunting. In fact, he hunted for 70 consecutive days during the 2024 season! He also cherished his pets: his dog Jack and two cats, Kitzy and Gypsy. Tom was also known to help his good friend Mike with planting in the spring and combining in the fall.

After a three-year battle with cancer, which he fought bravely and on his own terms, Tom entered eternal life on the morning of March 17, 2025, in his home with his daughter Shayla by his side.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ida and Julian “Hipke,” and his brother Jerry.

He is survived by his loving daughter, Shayla (Tim) Main of Pennsylvania; his brother, Dale of Arizona; his niece, Dion of Arizona; his nephew, Terry (Julie) of Arizona; his nephew, Sonny (Shannon) of Wisconsin; his niece, Jessica (Paul) of Wisconsin; and his sister-in-law, Sylvia of Wisconsin.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Dan and Olga, Tom’s neighbors across the river, for the care and kindness they’ve shown over the years. We also wish to thank St. Croix Hospice for making his final days as comfortable as possible, and to Dr. Bovet and the staff at Medford Aspirus Hospital Emergency Room for their care and compassion in his final hours.

There will be no funeral service at this time. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.