It is with saddened hearts we announce the peaceful passing of Thomas Edward Awad on June 24, 2023 at the age of 81. Cherished husband of 53 years to Carol (Eagen). Devoted father to Dorian and Darren Grey, Aaron Awad and Tara Embrey, Jessica and Jim Law and Emily Awad and David Marcotte. Loving and proud Grandpa to Regan, Spencer, Nathan, TJ, Ethan, Avery, Jonas, Frances, Elliott and Adelaide. Predeceased by parents Emerald and Evelyn (Carey) Awad and in-laws, Raymond and Bertha (Goetz) Eagen. Dearest brother to Gary (2006) and Pat Awad, Carol and Emile (2017) Theriault, Richard and Mary Awad, Roger and Moonie Awad, Margaret and Roland Fisher, Dorothy and George (2021) McMahon, Norma and Danny Iannicello and Bruce and Valerie Awad. Dearest brother-in-law to Robert (2021) and Carol Eagen, Dennis Eagen, and Nino Marion. He will be sadly missed by many nieces and nephews.
It was on March 13, 1942 – Friday the 13th – that Tom made his worldly debut. His life was destined to be full. Growing up he had the usual interests but like his siblings, sports of all kinds were his love – football, baseball, basketball, hockey – you name it, he played it. He was Class “D” Mic Mac League AKO Team Batting Champion with a .386 average (1959/60), W.D. Lowe First Team All City Quarterback and Second Team All City Basketball (1959/60), Mic Mac Class “D” AKO Team League Champions (1959/60), Mic Mac Class “E” Civitan Club Team League Champions (1958/59), and AKO Junior Men’s Provincial Basketball Championship Finalist (1961/62). He studied engineering technology at the Western Ontario Institute of Technology and spent close to 30 years working at General Motors.
Tom met and fell in love with Carol Eagen at a dance in 1968 and they married two years later. They had four beautiful children and 10 amazing grandchildren. Tom and Carol also owned a picture framing business called Noonday Graphics.
A man of few words, with deep thoughts and big ideas, Tom was a dedicated volunteer. He spent eight years as a youth group leader at St. Vincent de Paul Church, coordinating many of the fundraisers. He also served as a volunteer board member at Trillium Gift of Life, as well as Autism Society Ontario with his brother Bruce.
After his health began to fail, Tom was given a second chance at life with a liver transplant in 2002. Tom was so grateful to his donor family, and dedicated his new life to promoting organ and tissue donation in Windsor-Essex County through his creation of the non-profit Sport Fest Windsor with his brother, Roger. In 2008, Tom was met with another setback, a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease, which he battled for the rest of his life with the steadfast support of Carol and his family.
Tom loved to laugh and was always the last to leave a party. He enjoyed many hours watching his grandkids play sports. Tom loved his family dearly.
Oh, and he loved ice cream!
We will all miss him very much. Rest in peace, Tom…you lived the “dash” to the fullest.
Special thank you to Dr. Charlene Johnston for 20 plus years of exceptional care. She went above and beyond and we are so very grateful to her. In addition, we are grateful to all of Tom’s caregivers, especially Ana from the Alzheimer’s Society, and Marcus from St. Elizabeth Healthcare. Thanks also go out to Dr. Masri and the Windsor Regional Hospital Met Campus staff in the Emergency and ICU departments.
If you so desire, donations to the Parkinson Society Southwestern Ontario, Alzheimer’s Society of Windsor & Essex County, or Autism Services Incorporated would be appreciated by the family.