We are so very saddened to report the death of Thomas J. Powers, devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Tom passed away on January 9, 2019 in Naples, Florida. Mass of Christian Burial for Tom, 77, of Coloma, Michigan, formerly of Painesville, will be held on Thursday, January 17th, 2019 at 10:00am St. Anthony of Padua Church, 523 Plum Street, Fairport Harbor, Ohio.
Friends will be received at Spear-Mulqueeny Funeral Home, 667 Mentor Avenue, Painesville from 2:00pm – 4:00pm and from 6:00pm – 8:00pm on Wednesday, January 16th, 2019. The son of Joseph C. and Hannah (Nan) (Nugent) Powers, Tom was born on August 25, 1941 in Painesville and was raised here. He attended St. Mary School (Painesville) and was a 1959 graduate of St. Joseph High School.
He furthered his studies at DeVry Technical Institute in Chicago, Illinois completing his studies in June, 1961. Tom began as a radio engineer in 1961 at WREO in Ashtabula. In May, 1965 he began as a radio engineer at KYW in Cleveland.
He remained there and transitioned into TV engineering at WKYC in Cleveland. Tom served in several management capacities at WKYC. In 1991 he had the opportunity to advance his career at WMAQ in Chicago, with various management positions over ten years.
After a thirty-six year career at NBC, he retired in 2001. Tom was devoted to his Catholic faith. He served as a Eucharistic Minister for over twenty-five years.
While a member of St. Gabriel’s, he was President of Bingo and a member of Parish Council. He was also a member of the Lake County Serra Club. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #947 in Painesville and was a current member of Council #4055 in Watervliet, Michigan.
He was a member of Knights of Columbus 4th Degree, Cardinal Newman General Assembly as well as the Father Baroux Assembly 0476 in Benton Harbor, Michigan. He served as Grand Knight in Watervliet, Michigan from 2004 -2006. He is a member of the Bishop Baraga Association.
He was a longtime member of the Painesville Elks Lodge 549. Family was important to Tom. He was a devoted son & brother who was always ready & willing to help.
He was married for forty-nine years to his wife, Loretta (Lipovich) whom he married on August 30, 1969. Together they raised their two children, Martin & Jen. Upon retirement in 2001, they settled in Coloma, Michigan on Paw Paw Lake where they enjoyed boating and spending time with family and friends.
They wintered in Naples, Florida for the past thirteen years where Tom was President of their phase of the Homeowners’ Association. Tom is survived by his wife, Loretta (Lipovich); son Martin J. Powers; daughter Jennifer L. Powers (Judith Scharli) all of Illinois; sister, Kathleen P. Dolney of Painesville; niece Meghan (Adam) DeLange of Mentor; brother-in-law Ronald (Phyllis) Lipovich of Painesville; niece Lesley Lipovich of Willoughby. He is also survived by many cousins.
He was preceded in death by his beloved parents; brothers Martin J. Powers and Edward C. Powers; and sister Martha Sabol.
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