~~     Thomas Burczyk, 58, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, January 24, 2015. Tom was born in Racine, on April 16, 1956. On July 1, 1992, he was united in marriage to his best friend, Lisa Sajdik. Tom valued education and possessed enormous intellectual curiosity. He graduated from J.I. Case High School in 1974, University of Wisconsin-Parkside in 1978, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Law School, cum laude, in 1981 with a J.D.  He practiced law here in Wisconsin until returning to his alma mater as a doctoral fellow. He received his S.J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1994. After receiving his doctorate, Tom consulted and wrote on a wide variety of legal and other issues. He wrote and edited for the Law Bulletin Publishing Company in "Wisconsin Verdicts and Settlements".   Tom collaborated with attorneys around the state on matters of elder law. In addition, he served as the Executive Director of the Racine Administrators' Association. Tom loved nature and the outdoors and had a lifelong love affair with fly fishing and upland hunting.  Tom was a former gymnast, brilliant lawyer, budding cook, avid reader, lover of children, accomplished wood worker, and relentless planner. Tom volunteered weekly at the Veteran's Home – Union Grove in the wood shop.  He and Lisa cleaned rivers in the area each spring, and he built and repaired duck and bird houses along the rivers as well.  Most importantly, a friend in need always knew they could depend on Tom. Tom will be dearly missed by his beloved wife, Lisa and his English springer spaniel, Molly.  He is also survived by mother, Dolores Burczyk; sisters, Mary Burczyk, and Monika (Dewitt) Godfrey; brothers, John Burczyk and Christopher Burczyk, nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends. Memorials in Tom's name can be directed to Wisconsin Veteran's Home-Union Grove, Wisconsin Humane Society – Racine Campus, or The Nature Conservancy. His memorial service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday, January 29th at 6:00 p.m., with Janice Navarro A.I.M. officiating.  Visitation will be in the funeral home on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. until the time of the service.