Dr. Thomas Eugene Engel

On Sunday, April 21, 2024, Dr. Thomas E. Engel of Hale and Imlay City, Michigan passed away peacefully, at the age of 79, after a seven-year battle with MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndrome). His wife, Lydia, daughter Lisa and son-in-law, Chris were by his side. Thom was born in Saginaw, Michigan to Joyce and Albert E. Engel. At the young age of seven he lost his father, Albert. His mother Joyce later married Gino Viola who would be his beloved father until his death. The young family moved to St. Clair Shores where Thom attended school and began his love of sports, in particular, baseball. Thom began by playing Little League baseball in St. Clair Shores. As a high school student at Austin Prep High School, he was co-captain of the baseball team. At the University of Detroit, he started in every game and played on a nationally ranked team in 1965. In 1966 he was made co-captain of the team. In later years he would continue his love of baseball by managing and coaching teams. He managed a local team in St. Clair Shores to the National Pony League World Series and a Detroit Amateur Baseball Federation team (Kowalski) to two national championships. He graduated from the University of Detroit. He later earned his Master’s/Specialist degrees in Education at Wayne State University where he met Lydia. Thom went on to get his Doctorate degree in Education from Western Michigan University in 1989. After graduating from the University of Detroit he began his teaching career at St. Isaac Jogues in St. Clair Shores where he taught for seven years. He then became principal for eight years at Assumption Grotto in Detroit. His final administrative position was as principal of St. Anne Elementary School in Warren for twenty-four years, a place very dear to his heart. He retired in 2006. Thom loved to travel. He and Lydia enjoyed cruising, their time- share in Cancun and their home on Loon Lake. He loved to share his love of travel with family and friends. Nothing made him happier than to have family or friends join in their vacations. So many wonderful memories have been made by many over the past thirty-five years. He was an avid reader, loved his crossword puzzles and jig saw puzzles, but most of all enjoyed his garden at the lake. He loved watching the Tigers. The impact that Thom made on literally thousands of youth over his educational and coaching career cannot be measured. He had the uncanny ability to remember everyone’s name and could tell you about their family. When many learned of his hospice journey start, former students, parents and staff alike reached out with messages of prayer, love, and thanks for the impact that he made on their lives. He read every one of them. It was such a beautiful gift. He was kind, generous, and a man of character, integrity and humility. While known for his quiet and sometimes reserved demeanor, he was also the master of one-liners, which left everyone in laughter. Lisa Anne, his daughter, was his pride and joy. He loved to hear Lisa and her husband Chris talk about their farm and their dreams for the future. He was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, uncle and friend. Thom lived his life by his faith. The strength he demonstrated throughout the last three months of his life showed his love of the Lord and God’s will. He will be so missed by all who knew and loved him. Our family would like to acknowledge the loving care that he and the family received from the hospice staff of Residential Hospice. In particular, his hospice team, Jaime, Courtney, Janet, Holly, Jennifer, Jeff and John. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thom is preceded in death by his father, Albert E. Engel, mother, Joyce (Engel) Viola, step-father, Gino Viola, his grandparents and other family members. Thom is survived by his wife of 45 years, Lydia (nee Lopez), daughter, Lisa (Chris) LaGerould, sisters, Beth (Jeff) Cichon, Patrice (Jim) Kelly, Jean (Don Bloomberg) Commyn, sister-in-law, Debby (Kurt) Brauer, brother-in-law Jeff Commyn, nieces, Catherine (Matt) Hunt, Cristina (Anthony) Geraci, Lauren (fiancée Alex Goodson) Kelly, Maria (fiancée Nate Bazydlo) Commyn, Marisa (Alex) Koravesis, Cameron (fiancée Megan Ellis) Brauer. Great nephews, Frank Geraci, Walker Brauer, Conor Hunt and his beloved Yorkie, Sammi and grand pup, Riley. Visitation Friday 2-8 PM with a 7:00 PM Scripture Service at the Wasik Funeral Home, Inc. 49150 Schoenherr Rd. (n. of 22 Mile Rd.), Shelby Twp. Instate Saturday 9:30 AM until 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at St. Anne Catholic Church 32000 Mound Rd. (s. of 14 Mile Rd.), Warren For those that are unable to attend the Mass of Christian Burial Saturday St. Anne Church will be live streaming Dr. Engel's service at https://parish.st-anne.net/ and will then be available on their YouTube channel following the Mass https://www.youtube.com/@saintannechurch In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation be made in Thom’s memory to the Dr. Thom Engel Scholarship Fund. This fund will be created to offer some tuition assistance to families of St. Anne students. Each school year one boy and one girl will be selected to receive $1,000 which will be directly applied to their tuition account. Checks may be made payable to St. Anne Elementary School in the memo indicate 'ENGEL SCHOLARSHIP' and may be mailed to the school at 5920 Arden Ave., Warren, Michigan 48092 or online donations to o the scholarship fund may be made at https://cfmi.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=6117

Dr. Thomas Eugene Engel

August 27, 1944 - April 21, 2024