The world said farewell to a deeply good and solid person, a giant of a husband and father, a true family man, when his courageous and hard-fought battle with cancer came to a close on April 18th, 2022. Tom Tesch was a true friend, partner, and dedicated husband to the love of his life, Jane. Together they raised three children, Becky, KT, and David, who always knew that they had their dad (and mom) fully in their corner; his love was unconditional. They never got out of the house without a hug and an "I love you." Grandchildren Mattea, Louise, Hazel, and Serafino will know his love-some through memory and others through the legacy of stories, pictures, and references to a litany of dad jokes. They never got out of the house without a hug, either! His younger siblings, Mike and Mary, loved their big brother immensely and will miss him dearly. Thomas's driving force was always his family. Tom and Jane, a strong parenting team, supported their children in numerous activities and passions, ranging from gymnastics to ballet, from art to soccer to art, also t-ball, skateboarding, horse camp, Girl Scout camp, music, and theater. They were always right behind their kids-especially for theater and art. They spent many summer vacations in Door County at The Farmhouse. Here was where the Tesch family had fun riding bikes, learning to drive stick shift, swimming, toasting s'mores, lighting fireworks, attending drive-in movies, and soaking up countless epic sunsets. This past summer Tom and Jane's 51st anniversary was celebrated with laughter and love under clear skies. They are deeply grateful for this last hurrah with Dad. His clever wit and cheerful demeanor endeared him to friends and clients alike, as he provided for himself and family with a life-long career in sales. Tom was always a fixer and a doer; every house he lived in he left in better condition than he found it. Maintaining his home and cars were his hobbies, and through these he taught his children to fix things, jump-start a car, change a tire, wash windows, change storms and screens, and unclog drains. With his charcoal grill and corny wit, Tom loved to gather with his family in the summers. A pint of Kopps custard could almost always be found in the fridge. Tom was a king in the realm of puns and dad jokes (see next and final paragraph). Tom valued giving to causes he believed in. He supported Habitat for Humanity, the Heifer Foundation, and was a leader and past president of his Rotary Club. For many years he would rise early for runs through Lake Park, to care for his health, and to enjoy the wilderness there. He loved the natural world and found peace observing birds and wildlife wherever he went. He also put a lot into caring for the environment. He was a consummate recycler, diligently crushing cans (even though it's "soda pressing"), and repurposing items for practical reuse. He read National Geographic and Smithsonian cover to cover every month, and then passed them on to his kids. His last act was to set an example for his loved ones by choosing a green burial, which we are giving him today. Tom will be celebrated at Prasser-Kleczka in Bay View on Howell Avenue on Thursday, April 28th, from 11:30-1:30 pm, after which he will be committed to green burial at Forest Home Cemetery. Dad would always explain that cemeteries have fences around them because, of course, "people were always dying to get in." Very punny Tom. Thanks for the laughs and eye rolls! And for all the love.