Thomas Lawrence Pacynski "Tom"

Obituary for Thomas L. Pacynski, age 75, Bay City, Michigan

The world is a less joyful place today as Thomas (Tom) Pacynski, age 75, a husband, father, GaGa to his grandkids, brother, Uncle, friend, and mentor to many students, passed away at Covenant Hospital on Friday, June 3rd, 2022 surrounded by his family.  He fought a long and courageous battle but could not defeat the illnesses that ravaged his body, and now his pain has vanished and he is at peace.

Tom was born June 17, 1946 in Bay City, MI to the late Walter and Lois (Benford) Pacynski.  He is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Beverly, his daughter Laurie Zielinski, son Mike Anderson, and grandkids Alexx, Abby, and Sami Zielinski.  He is also survived by his sister Nancy Snover, his sister- in- law Linda (Bruce) Helton, and brother- in- law Dick (Linda) Woodard and many nieces and nephews.

Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his sister Diane Mieloch, his brother Duane Pacynski, his brother-in-law Ken Mieloch, his brother-in-law Tom Snover, and his mother and father-in-law, Lewis and Edith (Nestle) Woodard.

Tom loved sports, particularly golf, traveling, especially to Vegas, boating, and morning coffee sessions with his retired friends.  But most of all, he loved doing things with his grandkids.  He followed Alexx all over Michigan and out-of-state to see him play high school and college sports.  He especially loved to sit behind home plate watching him pitch baseball and stand along the fence watching him catch passes in football.  He loved bike riding all over Mackinac Island with Abby and never missed her stage performances.  He loved to watch Sami with the marching band and enjoyed watching her and Abby play high school tennis.  He cherished the times we traveled with the grandkids, including summer vacations on the boat, and trips to Disney, Boston, Chicago, and New York with them.  He never forgot taking Alexx to Boston to see the Celtics play, or seeing broadway shows with Abby and Sami in New York.

He touched many students' lives during his 32 years at Bangor Twp. Schools as a teacher and administrator at Christa McAuliffe M.S. and John Glenn High School.  He also coached basketball for 13 years and football for 23 years at John Glenn plus mentored many students as a driver's education instructor.  After retirement he was a substitute administrator at BAISD Career Center, AuGres Schools, and Pinconning Schools for several years.

He was a great athlete standing close to 7 feet and excelled in basketball.  He was a high school all American in 1964 while attending Bay City St. Marys High School and went on to play at Boston College from 1964-68 with Bob Cousy as his coach.  Some of his best college basketball memories were when he scored 15 points against Bob Lanier at St. Bonaventure, and when he held Kareem to his college career lowest points during a tournament game at Madison Square Garden.  He was drafted by the NBA but knee injuries ended his basketball career.

Tom earned a BA in Marketing from Boston College, and Masters' degrees from Saginaw Valley and CMU.  He was a finalist for the MASSP Principal of The Year in 1997 and was inducted into the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame in 1999.  He was a member of the River Roar Board for 20 years serving as Vice President and president for 2 years.

At his request, cremation has taken place.  A visitation will occur at Gephart's, Funeral Home, 201 W. Midland Street, Bay City, MI on Monday, June 6, 2022 beginning at 1:00 pm with a prayer service led by Assoc. Pastor Linda Williams of Westminster Presbyterian Church and visitation from 1:30 to 3:30 immediately followed by a tribute to Tom with friends and family sharing light hearted stories and memories of him.  Visitors will also be invited to share memories at the end of the tribute.  Thanks to his friends Bob Shearer and John Loop for organizing the tribute.  The family would like to thank Covenant Hospital ICU doctors and nurses for their wonderful care during Tom's 6-week stay there, especially Dr. Ramaiyah.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to John Glenn High School Athletic Department.

When we look toward the night sky, we will notice a bright shiny new star reminding us that Tom is in Heaven.