I am a better person for having known Tom during the time we worked together at the Orlando Citrus Bowl. I am also proud he read my book and enjoyed it. Heartfelt thanks to all his family for sharing him with us in Orlando.
Thomas E. Henry
March 30, 1952 – July 1, 2010
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church for Thomas E. Henry, age 58, of St. Cloud who passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, July 1, 2010 from pancreatic cancer. Reverend Thomas Knoblach will officiate.
Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday and after 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Parish Prayers will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday at the church.
Tom was born on March 30, 1952 in St. Cloud, Minnesota to John Sr. and Muriel (Lund) Henry. He attended Cathedral High School graduating in 1970. Tom then attended St. Cloud State University graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Geography. He married his high school sweetheart, Paula Steil, at St. Mary’s Cathedral in St. Cloud.
Tom began his successful career in Park and Recreation, and Arena Management in St. Cloud. He opened and managed the Willmar Civic Center. Next, Tom accepted a position managing the Citrus Bowl and Tinker Field (where the Twins held spring training) in Orlando, Florida. Tom then accepted a position at the Ocean Center in Daytona Beach, FL where he helped supervise the construction of and later management of the facility. He then relocated to Madison, Wisconsin where he managed the Dane County Coliseum (Home of the Wisconsin Badgers Hockey team). For the final 20 years of his career, Tom returned home and managed the St. Cloud Civic Center. Tom had an exciting career organizing many major events as well, including concerts for the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Aerosmith, and Journey, to name a few.
Tom was an adventuresome soul. At the age of 17, he traveled to Alaska where he battled the Russian River Forest Fire. Tom hitchhiked to both California and Florida in his youth and had many fun stories to tell. His greatest joy was his family. He especially enjoyed spending time watching his children’s sporting events. For the past twenty years, Tom met with his parents and siblings every Wednesday night at his parent’s home. Tom was also fond of spending time with extended family and friends. Time spent at Big Birch Lake on the pontoon will be especially treasured.
Tom is survived by his wife, Paula; sons, Ed (U.S. Navy, Norfolk, VA) and Giles; daughter, Madeleine; mother, Muriel; brothers, John (Carol), Jim (Patty), Bill, and Joe (Leah); sisters, Peggy Offutt and Patty Gregory all of the St. Cloud area; in-laws, Betty and John Jilek, sisters-in-law, Pat Henry of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Kathy (Curt) Stoeckel of Alexandria; as well as nieces, nephews, family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his father; brothers, Chuck, and infant brother, Danny; father-in-law, Harold J. Steil.
A Special Thank You to all those who provided care to Tom.
Guestbook
I was in the facility management field, just like Tom, and had the pleasure of being his friend for many years. I was always so happy to see his smiling face at the many industry conferences. The world lost a great guy. My sincere sympathy to the Henry family.
We are sorry about Tom’s
passing.No words can discribe
our feeling for you and your family.We are out of town so we cannot attend the Celebration of his life.God bless Tom and your family.
Paula and family,
We were sorry to hear of the passing of Tom. I have fond memories of Tom and Paula from years ago when Paula and I worked together at the bank. Tom was always so friendly, always in good humor, happy to visit with people, and remembered everyone’s name. Tom was a great person. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rick & Lynette Holtberg
We were so very sorry to learn of Tom’s passing. We will remember Tom fondly as being kind, gentle, a good athlete but mostly as being very funny and making everyone laugh! He had an infectious smile. God bless, Paula and your 3 children.
Bill and Dannielle Manthey
Never met a man who was ALWAYs ready to make a person smile, until Tom. What a joy it has been knowing him & his whole family for these many, many years.
My blessings go out to each & every one of his family & friends at this time of sorrow.
Becky Litzinger, Coborns Pharmacy
my thoughts and blessings go out to your family at this time of loss
My deepest sympathies to your family. What a tremedously wonderful man Tom is. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Wonderful tribute to Tom. So sorry to hear of his passing.
Paula, Ed, Giles and Maddy:
Such a loss to everyone who knew him… We will especially miss the summer pontoon rides and Tom’s wonderful sense of humor and all the jokes he always came up with out of the blue!!
Remember, if there’s anything we can do, you need only ask!!
Chuck, Ellie and Beth
Dear John and family,
I am saddened to hear of your brother’s passing. His life was filled with adventure and variety. He will be missed by many.
May he rest in peace.
Margie Daugherty
16th Avenue South
St. Mary’s Class of 1963
Tech Class of 1967
Paula,Ed,Giles & Madeleine
All of you know what a great husband and father he was, but to have worked with Tom was an honor, you never knew if what he said was true or he was playing a trick on you, but his human and great personality will be missed dearly. People have many stories to tell about Tom and you cannot help but laugh at his humor. We all have a story to tell. You have my sympathy and I will miss him dearly.
James Miles wrote, “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him or to him”. I think of Tom when I hear this quote. He was a great man with so much kindness in his heart. I am so sorry to the whole Henry family for your loss.
Paula Petunia,
I was shocked!!! I’m so sorry for your loss.
Kay Cauliflower!!!
How saddened I was to hear the news that my good friend Tom had passed. The best years were those I spent working with Tom in Madison at the Great Dane! We were part of the Magnificent 7, both coming on board at the same time. Tom would love to play practical jokes on me, once leaving me a “surprise” in my desk drawer during the World Dairy Expo! Perhaps my fondest memory is playing trivial pursuit reading the cards to each other across our offices during our slow time. Sometimes Tom would make up the answers to the questions..and I would actually believe him! Paula, Ed, Giles, Maddie, and the entire Henry family, my deepest and sincere sympathy to you all during this sad time. Tom had a wonderful life, and I know how much family meant to him. I always will remember him telling me, that one day, he couldn’t wait to get back to St. Cloud to be with his family and raise his children there with Paula. Tom fought the good fight, his battle is over, finally peace. God has gained another amazing angel..who I am sure will keep everyone on their toes!! Tom..thanks for your friendship over the years..one that continued even after we both moved from Madison. I will never forget you and all of our laughs together.
Services
Visitation
Holy Spirit Catholic ChurchServices
Holy Spirit Catholic ChurchSchedule Details
A Memorial Mass will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church for Thomas E. Henry, age 58, of St. Cloud who passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, July 1, 2010 from pancreatic cancer. Reverend Thomas Knoblach will officiate.
Family and friends may call from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Monday and after 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in St. Cloud. Parish Prayers will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday at the church.