PILARSKI, Thomas Allen “Tom”, 66, of Alpena died Friday, October 1, 2010 at home.

Tom was born July 19, 1944 in Alpena to Harry and Mary Ann (Ennest) Pilarski and had been a life-long resident of the area, except for time spent in the US Army stationed in Alaska.  He graduated from Posen High School in 1962, served in the Army for three years and attended Alpena Community College for a year.  On July 6, 1968 he married Sharon McNeil at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Ossineke. He also worked for Huron-Portland Cement for 20 years.  He then attended ACC again and became a certified nursing assistant working as a home health care assistant for 12 years.  Tom also worked for the Alpena News for 11 years as a bundle hauler, and spent eight years as Santa Claus in downtown Alpena, an event he loved to do and looked forward to every year.   His many volunteer activities included serving as President of St. Mary’s Catholic School Board.

Surviving are his loving wife of 42 years, Sharon, two children; Michelle (Tim Gapske) Pilarski, Tom, Jr. (Cris) Pilarski both of Alpena, four grandchildren; Jordan, Andrew, Rhys, Alec, four brothers, his twin brother Richard (Donna), Harley (Violette), Harry (Mary), Jerald (Connie) and many nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents.

Tom Pilarski is at McWilliams Funeral Home-Alpena where friends may call on Monday from 2:00-8:00 PM and on Tuesday at the funeral home from 10:00 AM until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 AM with Fr. Greg McCallum officiating.  Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life or please give blood to the American Red Cross as Tom had done so very often.  Please visit Tom’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign the on-line guest book.