Thomas A. Croarkin

January 12 1950 - March 16 2015

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Photo Of Thomas Croarkin
Graveside service 11:30 a.m., Saturday, March 28th, at Assumption Cemetery, Glenwood, IL.

Visitation :

John Quint Treboni Funeral Home
Monday March 23rd 2015 4-8 p.m.

1177 W. 5th Avenue
Columbus Ohio 43212

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Services:

Funeral Mass
Tuesday March 24th 2015 at 10:30 am

St. Christopher Catholic Church
1420 Grandview Avenue
Columbus , Ohio 43212

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Obituary

Thomas Aquinas Croarkin, 65, went peacefully into God’s arms on March 16, 2015. A bona fide South Side Irishman, Tom grew up in Chicago and cheered for the White Sox and Notre Dame. After completing an English degree at DePaul University, Tom worked as a newspaper reporter and editor in the south suburbs before moving to Moline, Illinois, to pursue his lifelong dream of announcing horse races at Quad City Downs. Tom never missed a call and brought much joy and many winners to the members of his QCD Handicapping Club, where he was assisted by his wife, Marytherese. In 1988, Tom and Marytherese moved to Columbus where he worked briefly at Scioto Downs and then Chemical Abstract Service. Tom retired from CAS in December 2012 after 23 years of service in varying roles. A gifted writer, Tom shared wit and wisdom with the life stories he wrote as part of his weekly call reports in which he raised everyone “above the rubble” of life. Colleagues honored Tom by compiling them into a bound book on his retirement. An active member of St. Christopher Parish, Tom served as sacristan, bulletin editor and contributor, lector, Eucharistic Minister and ministry chair. Tom loved God, his family, his friends, a good pun, a fine wine, an exciting horse race, and a positive attitude. Tom is preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Mildred Croarkin; niece, Mary Martha; nephew, Stephen; brothers, Walter and Albert. Tom is survived by his wife, Marytherese (nee Minster), of nearly 40 years; brothers, David (Joyce); Daniel (Christine); and sister, Martha (William) Brennan. Other survivors include sister-in-law, Sharon Carlson and brother-in-law, Dr. John Minster (Peg). Tom is beloved by many nephews and nieces: Joseph (Jennifer); Gregory (Marrea); Patrick (Jasmine); Sam; Alex; Michael (Kim); Gerry (Angie); John (Christine); Mark; Elizabeth Saliwonczyk; Kevin; Chuck (Tammy); Matt; Scott (Dawn); Susan Brent; Tricia and Steven Stilts; Mary Bridget (Nick) Wlos; Kathryn (Tom) Phillips; Jim (Connie) Minster; Paul (Cathy) Minster; Steven Minster; Joseph (Lori) Carlson; and Dani Carlson. Tom’s many friends and other loving relatives are too numerous to mention but they are assured of Tom’s affection. Tom's family will receive friends on Monday, March 23, 2015 from 4-8 p.m., at the JOHN QUINT TREBONI FUNERAL HOME, 1177 West Fifth Avenue, Columbus. Funeral Mass 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at St. Christopher Catholic Church, 1420 Grandview Avenue, Columbus. Burial, Saturday, March 28, 2015 at 11:30 a.m., at Assumption Cemetery, Glenwood, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Vincent DePaul (care of St. Christopher Parish in Columbus) or Trinity School (Columbus) Altar Server Scholarships. In parting, Tom says to all who loved him: “Ignore, as best you can, the fear of a new day. Rejoice, instead, and there will be nothing left but to keep dancing.” And always, “Keep a smile in your heart.”


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Condolences for Thomas A. Croarkin


From : Amira Bernstein
To : Mary Croarkin
Date: March 18th 2015

I am so saddened to hear about the passing of Tom! He is one of a kind, loved by so many friends and family. I will miss our gathering at the races.
Please accept my sincere condolences. Love, Amira
From : Mark and Catherine Voris
To : Marytherese
Date: March 18th 2015

Tom was a true Saint and a friend these past 11 years. He had the BIGGEST Smile and always a joke to lighten my load when I was down. His witt and humor always made me smile. One of a kind he was.
May you find peace in your time of greaving Mary, I am just a call away if you need me.
Mark
From : Ruth Banner
To : Mary
Date: March 19th 2015

Tom was definitely "one of the good guys". Always made going to work fun, he will be missed by his CAS colleagues. Prayers are being said for you and the family.
From : Trelene Turner
To : Mary and Family
Date: March 19th 2015

Tom and I started our careers at CAS around the same time. He and I worked together in marketing (print) in 1990. He was such an inspiration and friend. Tom always made sure that he spoke to everyone daily and added humor and warmth and his own personal touch and creativity to everything and everyone that surrounded him. He was a very special person and I feel so grateful to have known him as I did. God Bless you all during this time but feel comforted that he was a wonderful servant here on earth. Trelene
From : Cathy Sword
To : Marytherese
Date: March 19th 2015

Marytherese, my heart goes out to you in this very sad time. I lift you up in prayer and know that our loving God will bring you comfort.
From : Naomi DeCapua-Stanley
To : Marytherese
Date: March 19th 2015

I met you and Tom in 1992. I could see the love you had for each other right away. Both of you had a great sense of humor and you were always having much fun...such great smiles! He was a living saint and I am sure he is gently smiling down at you now and he and I both hope that your very deep grieving will subside and the angels comfort you. May our new St. Christopher Church saint (Tom) pray for us, as we pray for you and him (just in case). May the angels comfort you and your extended families.
Naomi
From : Karin Faerber
To : Mary and Toms family
Date: March 19th 2015

Dear Mary,

i did not meet Tom very often but he was close to me when I did and as well in his weekly stories about living and life that came with the call report summary into my office. I truely miss him and will pray for both of you. Please accept my sincere condolences, mein aufrichtiges und herzliches Beileid Karin
From : Hannah
To : Marytherese
Date: March 19th 2015

I am so very sorry. Please know I am thinking of you and that my thoughts and warmest wishes are with you.

With love,
Hannah
From : Pam Matejovic
To : Marytherese
Date: March 19th 2015

Tom was one of the best people I was lucky to know. He was always there to cheer me up, I will miss him and his words of wisdom. The kindest gesture you both did for me, was assigning a star and naming it after my Mom, I was touched. I am sorry I will not be able to attend the service as I am living in Florida. He will be missed.
From : Helen croarkin
To : Family of Thomas A Croarkin
Date: March 19th 2015

Dear MaryTherese My heart is breaking for you in your loss of Tom. He truly was a warm, loving, giving, and unique human being. Know that he lives on in the wonderful memories that are cherished in the hearts of the many who were lucky enough to have known him. My prayers are with you. With deep sympathy, Helen Croarkin
From : Karen Grafner
To : Marytherese
Date: March 20th 2015

Losing your soulmate after so many years must be extremely painful. May all the beautiful memories that fill your heart help bring you comfort in the coming days. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Marytherese.
From : Jim Corning
To : Marytherese
Date: March 20th 2015

Sincerest condolences to the entire Croarkin family. Tom's combination of humanity and humour was unique and he will be missed by all who knew him.
From : Claudia Long
To : Mary
Date: March 22nd 2015

I am so sorry for the loss of your other half Mary. Tom truly was one of a kind and showed me personally, by example, how living with a positive attitude is the only way to get thru no matter what life throws your way. I will always remember his words to keep a smile in my heart....
From : Sal DiMario
To : Maryterese Croarkin
Date: March 23rd 2015

I was very sad to learn of Tom's passing. You are in my thoughts and my prayers. I truly cherish the days that I worked with you and Tom at QCD. Tom was a great announcer, I can hear his signature calls still, "he takes the lead by a proboscis" or " a six pack of pacers gets to the three quarters". He was a gifted and talented man and a true fan and student of racing. May he RIP and may the Lord smile down on you at this very difficult time.
From : Maggie Horton
To : Marytherese
Date: March 23rd 2015

you both are always remembered back in the Quad Cities , so many people have missed you and inquired about you .. you are not people we used to know , but people we will always treasure and remember .. i am so very sad to hear about Tom
From : Brad and Joanna
To : Marytherese
Date: March 23rd 2015

Our deepest sympathy on Tom's passing. Brad always said he never met a better man than Tom. I second that. We know he will be taken care of in his next life because no one lived a better life than he did on earth. Every time Brad sees Bob Seitz we talk about the good times and how the Quad Cities were never the same after the two of you left. Our prayers are with you. Love Brad and Joanna.
From : Joe Mc Caffrey
To : Marytherese
Date: March 23rd 2015

Dear Marytherese _
I just heard the news about Tom's death. I don't think you will remember me but I did get to know Tom, a bit, while he was at the Quad City Downs as the best race caller I have ever heard. From afar I observed the joy that both of you manifested while working there. His exuberance and joy were so contagious that when you both left there was a huge letdown around the track. Please accept my remembrance of him as a good man and my sadness for your sadness. Joe Mc Caffrey
From : Jill Finn
To : Marytherese
Date: March 23rd 2015

I am so deeply saddened hearing of Tom’s passing today. Kevin and I shared so many happy moments with you and Tom both in Columbus and the Quad Cities. I missed both of you so much after you moved to Ohio. I will always remember Tom’s laugh and his great sense of humor. I would love to visit with you in the near future. Many prayers are being sent your way from the QCA. Love, Jill
From : john and donna mahoney
To : Marytherese Croarkin
Date: March 24th 2015

MT.....there are no words. Tom was a one of kind guy, so full of joy. You two had the kind of marriage most people only hope to achieve. Tom's love and spirit will always be with you. It is a privilege to have been able to call both of you our friend. John and Donna Mahoney