Service Details
MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
VISITATION: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE WITH MILITARY HONORS: 6:00 p.m.
DRAEGER-LANGENDORF FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY
The Service will be available via live stream by clicking this link https://youtu.be/W58Nh5lPuig
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RACINE – Mr. Thomas R. Popa, 72, passed away peacefully with his family by his side at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center in Milwaukee on Monday, October 12, 2020.
A lifelong resident of Racine, Tom was born on July 11, 1948. He graduated from St. Catherine’s High School in 1966. After high school Tom proudly served his country with the U.S. Army from January 1967 – December 1968. Tom married the love of his life, Mary Waid on May 29, 1971.
Tom worked for the city of Racine for over 37 years, retiring as an HVAC engineer.
He placed family and friends first and foremost in his life and always made himself available to help anyone in need. He enjoyed watching the Packers, Brewers and Badgers and traveling with his dear friends, Buddy and Santos Aguilar. However, Tom was happiest in the company of his family, especially hanging and talking with his sons or being with his grandchildren.
In addition to his loving wife, Mary Popa of 49 years, he is survived by his sons, Thomas (Angie) Popa and Michael (Sarah) Popa; his grandchildren, Sabrina, Bella, Myles, Stella and Scarlett; his sisters, Mary (Gary) Holmes, Judi (George) Nannah; as well as dear nieces, nephews and countless friends.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother, Josephine (nee Gudzunas) Popa; his uncle, Frank Gudzunas and his aunt, Adele Woiteshek.
Family and friends are invited to meet in the Draeger-Langendorf Funeral Home & Crematory on Monday, October 19, 2020 for a visitation from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A service honoring his life will follow at 6:00 p.m. with military honors. The service will be live streamed and available to watch from the funeral home’s website by clicking this link. https://youtu.be/W58Nh5lPuig A private interment will take place at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
The Popa family extends a heartfelt thank you to Aurora Kenosha and St. Luke’s Medical Centers for their kindness and loving care that Tom received.
Kim Beckett says
Mary, so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. My prayers are with you and the entire family
Vicky Loken says
Marry so sorry to hear of Toms passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Vicky Loken
Sharon Stollenwerk says
Mary and family, I am so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. You are in my thoughts and prayers. YOUR friend from the Y.
Carol and Larry Erbe says
Mary. Mike and Sarah,
So sorry to learn of Tom’s passing. He was a wonderful person.
Pat Braun says
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing.
Martha Krimmer says
Mary, I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. My prayers are with you. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Connie. Gudbaur says
Dearest Mary. I am so sorry fir your loss. I am keeping you and your family in my prayers.
Jeff & Pam Huck says
We are so sorry for your family’s loss. Sending love, strength and light to you all as you navigate through this difficult time.
Jody Pease says
Oh Mary I am so sorry for your loss. I am sending you and yours lots of hugs and prayers.
Ed & Debbie Jensen says
Mary Margaret so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Lots of hugs❤️
NICK THIELEN says
MY DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO TOM’S FAMILY. I HAVEN’T SEEN TOM IN MANY YEARS BUT I KNEW HIM THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. HE WAS A GREAT GUY AND A GREAT “ANGEL” REPRESENTATIVE.
PEACE AND LOVE,
NICK THIELEN
ANGELS “66”
Wendy Boggs says
Mary and family,
I am sorry for the loss of your beloved Tom. May fond memories give you strength and joy. In your heart he will always be.
Diane Larsen says
Mary,
I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers. 🙏
PHYLLIS Fryer Brown says
Dearest Mary, Tom and Mike, I send you my deepest and most sincere love. Your loss is beyond words. Tom was a dear and special person to anyone who was fortunate to know him. His kindness, humor and wit will long be remembered. I felt a certain bond to him, not only because my dearest friend, Mary, was married to him but also because he loved doing crossword puzzles. I, too, keep a stash of them next to my reading chair and work in them every night. I can see him sitting on the couch, picking up the book and working a few before running off to do something outside. What a major influence and loss you all have sustained. He knew and felt your love and you will always have his love in your hearts. Love you all.
Dan and Sue Waters says
Mary, we are so sorry to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Cheryl May says
Thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort to you during this time.
Gordy, Chris, Aaron, Sarah, and Ben says
Mary, Tommy, Angie, Mike, Sarah…
50+ years of “home movies” continue to play through our minds, now and forever. We do find we are, however, watching them from a little bit different perspective now, albeit with even deeper gratitude for the blessing of a lifetime of precious memories of our times together. So of course it is with heavy hearts that we say “Hasta Luego”. Until we meet again. Because we could never bear to say Goodbye. All our love, always.
Anonymous says
Saying I’m sorry seems so inadequate but I am sorry! I’m sorry for your personal loss, I’m sorry I didn’t know all of you longer but I’m profoundly sorry for the loss of one of the kindest people I knew! Please know you are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Robin & Chris Tolley
Al & Angie (Ricchio) Nelson says
Dear Mary & Family,
We were so sad to hear of Tom’s passing. While we haven’t seen you and Tom, we think, since our high school years, his smiling face in that picture, summed up the Tom we remember. The two of you must have been the perfect match, his smile and Mary, your great laugh that we so enjoyed.
Cherish the thoughts of Tom and your life together that leave a smile on your heart. We will do the same,. We send our love and sympathy and heartfelt sadness at the loss of this wonderful man.
Juan & Debbie Contreras and family says
Dear Mary, Tom, Mike and families— Our most heartfelt condolences to you all on the passing of Tom. We enjoyed talking with him at family get togethers and of course remember the Popa family on LaFayette. May your fond memories bring you peace. Our love to you all.
Jim Richards says
Tom was a giant of a man – talented and friendly. He was a true pleasure to work with! Gone too soon. Mary and family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Chuck T. Klimek says
Mary, & family, It was my pleasure to know & work with Tom a number of years. He approached his work thoughtfully, & diligently. Seemingly always weighing the outcome.
I enjoyed his stories of growing up in the 200 block of LaFayette Ave.
I was so fortunate to visit with you, Tom, & a small group at Rodger’s funeral Last fall.
Please know your family is in my prayers.
Don & Susie Hoffman says
Mary and Family
Very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, it came as a real shock.
Can’t help but to think of the many escapades when we were growing up.
We are thinking and praying for you and your family 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
George and Judi Nannah says
Thank you so much for streaming this. I am so sorry..we will meet again..another time and place. Thoughts, Love and prayers. George and Judi
Monica & Shawn Moloney says
Shawn and I would like to extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family with Tom’s passing. He was a wonderful man and friend. Shawn enjoyed working with him at the city and his support. Growing up with Tom over the many years was always more like my brother. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jerome (Jerry) and Joyce Barina says
Dear Mary Margaret,
How sorry we are to learn of Tom’s passing! We have such fond memories of our times together so many years ago. Even tho we have lost touch, you are not forgotten. We are alive and living at St. Monica’s Senior Living. Cousin Bob Barina is 95 and still in his own home. We are the last of our generation. Our love, thoughts, and prayers are with you and your family.
Lisa Hillyer says
I am so sorry for your loss, Mary. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mike and Cathy Kosterman says
Mary,Tom and Michael so very sorry about your loss.May all the memories you have help you today and always.Our deepest sympathy to all of you.We will keep you in our prayers and thoughts today and always.