Dear Sherry,

I am so sorry for your loss. Tom was a wonderful person to be around, and may his memory be a blessing.

I first met you both in Amsterdam. Later that year, I visited you in Chicago, where you both picked me up at the airport.

I actually knew you and Tom earlier through my mother, who stayed with you in Chicago when she was in her twenties and encouraged me to visit when I turned twenty. I also had a visit in Chicago when I was one year old but I don’t remember much of that.

During my stay in Chicago, you both showed me around the city, and I have very good memories of Chicago thanks too you both. Tom taught me the workings of radio, and I helped a bit with the wiring, although he did most of it himself. I’m also grateful for how he showed me around Chicago, giving me a good view of the city.

Thank you both for giving me such a wonderful time in Chicago, it helped shape what I wanted to do in the future.

Tom had an incredibly positive spirit and an endless curiosity about the world. I got to know him during his time as a volunteer at Lincoln Park Zoo, where our conversations quickly revealed the depth of his interests — from politics and sports to the complexities of electromagnetic wave propagation.

It was Tom who guided me through the process of earning my ham radio license, offering not only encouragement but also a stack of thought-provoking books that deeply influenced how I see the world. One of those books was The True Believer by Eric Hoffer — a gift from Tom that still resonates with me today.

There's a quote from that book that perfectly captures Tom’s essence:

"In times of change, learners inherit the earth, while the learned find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists."

Tom was, without a doubt, a true learner — always curious, always evolving, and always ready to explore new ideas.

I first met Tom while teaching HS Religion around 1974. Tom, as the major author of the teacher manuals that I was teaching from, was “on tour” to help religion teachers like me to be more effective religion teachers.

I still remember the point he emphasized during his workshop back then, a technique that proved very helpful to me in my years of teaching!

Ironically, a few years later I joined his company as the NY/NJ Sales Consultant. We became lifelong friends (over 40 years)! We worked together for 13 years for Wm. C.  Brown. After that together we joined the Loyola University Press Sales Team, From there we then graduated to Regional Managers for Silver Burdette Ginn Religion.

Tom retired from Silver, but our friendship continued right to the end. I believe that Tom, Sherry, Shirley, and will be together in Jesus’ Kingdom to come!❤️🙏

Dearest Sherry, 

I met Tom in 1994 when applying to be your housemate right after arriving from France. As I moved in, I discovered a "welcome home" banner on my bed. The start of a 30 years friendship and if I can say so a 30 years familyship. 

Then, in summer 1995 as my parents and my sister came to visit me, Tom left us his house on Pensacola for us to feel at home. It felt home. As in 2001 when I came back to the US and lived in the "technocrash" room  for a few weeks before finding an apartment. I have so much wonderful memories : french and international dinners shared together, Christmas parties full of joy and songs, my 1st Thanksgiving dinner with his whole family ...  

In 2010, Tom and Sherry made me the honor of attending my wedding and Tom offered to be the music master at church. 

Then in 2019, Tom and Sherry came on vacation in Europe and made a stop of a few days in Tours at my parents. They also came to visit my school where Tom showed pictures of Chicago to my stunned students ! 

I will cherish the chance I have to have known Tom and to have shared his laugh, his kindness and his high interest in culture. 

Love, 

Christèle

Tom was someone special.  Tom married my Aunt Bab's best friend,  Sherry.  From the moment he entered Sherry's life, he embraced our family with open arms and a generous heart, making us feel as if he had always belonged.  Tom embraced life with gusto. He faced every challenge with quiet strength and determination, and the way he  he faced the challenges of AML were remarkable.  His deep love for Sherry, his family and friends; his adventurous spirit; and his unwavering commitment to giving back to his community will never be forgotten.

I am forever grateful to Tom a few years ahead of me as former MSCs. When I left to attend Loyola University Chicago, he invited me to share the townhouse that he shared with a couple of other guys near Mundelein. It was there that I met my girlfriend whom I have been married to for 52 years. 

I remember Tom as a great guy and fantastic organist. 

Great guy memory - Our first New Years Eve living in the townhouse, we invited four young women who lived in a nearby unwed mother's home far away from their home and support network. To create a little joy in their challenging situations, we held a simple New Years Eve gathering. The MSCs taught us well to live lives of love of God, our neighbor and ourselves.

Fantastic Organist memory - In the seminary, Tom played the organ very skillfully and soulfully when accompanying our choir and his solo performances. He really exemplified St. Augustine's saying, "He who sings (and plays music), prays twice. " His playing enriched our prayers.

Sherry, words fail at this time but please be assured of my love and prayers for you. I can easily say Tom was the best! It was a privilege to work directly with him during his days at Silver Burdett. He was smart, always prepared, and eager to be of service to his customers. He was creative and enthusiastic as we developed new product. He came to meetings with ideas and strategies. He also knew how to add levity to heavy discussions. I will always remember his wonderful heartfelt laugh! As I said he was the best! He will be missed! I am happy that in recent years we were able to get together in Naples and Chicago.

 Love and peace to you.

Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2025 

Dearest Sherry,

Our thoughts turn toward you as we mourn the loss of our friend and your husband, Tom.

Over and over again, I have replayed the video in my mind's eye of Tom spending that Monday packing the car in preparation for your camping trip. I know how excited he was to go camping with you. I imagine how at peace you both were, enjoying a quiet meal of sushi together in your home. And then at once, without any notice, he suffered a massive brain bleed with no hope for recovery.

The very journey of life is a pilgrimage for all of us. Fortunately, you shared in that journey for three decades . How blessed to have each other throughout those hopes and dreams, joys and sorrows --- So much travel and so many fond memories you will cherish forever.

Sherry, Tom, and I used to talk about 'eternity,' and I recall not too long ago asking just what he thought it would be like. On the other side . He said in his Chicago accent - "Baa-a-b, we live in a universe that is never ending and ever expanding.  There has to be something more than all of this. The universe speaks of an intelligent designer . This world didn’t just occur on its own . If we only knew the hidden treasures beneath the waters -- there wouldn't be enough room in all the museums of the world to contain them.”

Sherry , may the words of Saint Paul comfort you in these difficult times : 'eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, the human mind has never, ever imagined the wonderful things God has in store for those who love him". 1 Cor. 2:9.

Betty and I, Sarah and Anna extend our love and sympathy to you at this time of great sorrow and loss.

Love,

Bob and Betty DeLuca 

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On 07/29/2025 5:20 PM EDT tomnsherry <tomnsherry@rcn.com> wrote:

Frank and Bob – I’m so sorry to let you know Tom passed away this afternoon. Very peaceful. We stepped out to talk to the hospice team and I guess he wanted to spare us the experience of seeing him go. So the medical staff who went in to do labs as we stepped out, told us he had just passed.

Bob – like you said – I gave him permission to be with his God on his own terms.

With love, Sherry

Sherry Zimmerman

2039 W. Pensacola Ave.

Chicago, IL 60618

773-281-0489

tomnsherry@rcn.com

Let everything you

do be done in love.

Corinthians 16:14