Thomas J. "Uncle Tom" Parsanko

WHITING/HAMMOND, IN – Thomas Parsanko, age 86, peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 21, 2017, due to complications from a heart condition. Tom is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years Mary Janet Parsanko (nee Archer) and his daughter Janet. He leaves behind beloved in-laws Myrna (late Jack) Anderson, Maureen Kay (late Elvis) Crook, Frances Annette (late Delmis) Nottingham, Charles (Peggy) Archer and Irene Bozek, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Felix and Antonina Parsanko (originally, Porcianko); his siblings and their spouses Bernice (Joseph) Glowacki, Josephine (Raymond) Kozlowski, Marian (Steve) Harangody, Alex, William (Marjorie), Dorothy, Leo (Victoria), Eddie and Anthony (Irene, who survives); his in-laws Kenneth, Mary and Keith Craig Archer; and stillborn son Daniel.

Tom was raised on Schrage Avenue in Whiting and graduated from Whiting High School, class of 1949. Whiting always held a special place in his heart. Tom served his country in the United States Air Force, forever carrying fond memories of his service at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. He was a member of Calumet Memorial Post 330 of The American Legion, where he and Mary spent time with their many friends. Tom was retired from LTV Steel and was a proud member of the United Steelworkers Union.

Always an avid fan of the Chicago White Sox, Tom was thrilled when his Sox won the World Series in 2005. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was gifted with the innate ability to spread joy and laughter among his family and friends. He enjoyed visiting Four Winds Casino,  watching sports, and working on crosswords with Mary. Most of all, he cherished time spent with family and friends, just as we will cherish our memories of him and the laughter we shared.

Family and friends may gather to celebrate Tom's life and honor his memory on Friday, December 29, 2017 from 2:00 – 5:00 PM at the Solan Pruzin Funeral Home & Crematory, 14 Kennedy Avenue, Schererville, IN. A memorial service at the funeral home will follow at 5:00 PM with Deacon Raymond Helfen, and there will be an opportunity for sharing thoughts, stories and memories. Thomas will be laid to rest with honors at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois at a later date.

A memorial donation may be made to Humane Indiana at HumaneIndiana.org/donate/memorial-donations or 219-922-3811.

Surely, Tom is looking down on us – beer in hand – happily singing, "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" and "Adios Muchachos, Companeros de mi Vida" (farewell companions of my lifetime).

solanpruzinfuneralhome.com