Thomas R. Rusnak, Sr.
Thomas R. Rusnak, Sr., age 65, of Brookfield; loving dad of Katie (Ryan), Elizabeth (Dion), & Tom, Jr.; beloved partner of Mary Rita; cherished friend of Susan, mother of his children; proud grandfather of Hannah Mae; loving brother of Anthony (Charlotte) & Patricia (Steven); Favorite Uncle Tom to James & Nicole; loving Godson of Cioci; cousin & friend to many.
Tom was a teacher and a mentor in numerous forms. He taught with the Teaching English in Poland (TEIP) organization for 15 years through the Kosciuszko Foundation summer English Immersion camps. After many years at Morton East High School in Cicero, Tom retired as a beloved theater teacher and room manager for the Chodle Auditorium. He spent countless hours as a director of school productions, and of community theater productions as well. His love of the theater spanned into the technical side also; Tom was an accomplished Lighting Designer and Technical Director for 38 years for Lira Ensemble, a Polish arts organization at Loyola University Chicago’s Lake Shore campus. Tom’s work as Adjudicator for the Broadway in Chicago program led to many competitive awards for high school musical productions. He was committed to nurturing the creative spirit, and did so through F.A.M.E., the Foundation of Artists Mentoring in Entertainment. He assisted his fellow thespians with obtaining monetary awards so they could continue pursuing their love of the arts. Tom touched the lives of so many students through his work, and will be dearly missed.
A visitation will take place from 2 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside. Prayers from the funeral home at 9:15 a.m., Wednesday, February 27, followed by a procession to St. Francis Xavier Church, LaGrange. Mass 10 a.m. Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Justice. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Tom’s name to the American Heart Association or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are appreciated. Funeral info: (708) 352-6500
Tommy: our debates were legendary; we rarely agreed on anything. Yet, you were my favorite cousin – almost like a brother. I love you and will miss you. See you in heaven.
Thomas Rusnak touched many people in many ways. He will be remembered and will be missed.
Thinking back to so many happy, great memories in Cicero at Parkholme Pool and having the best lifeguards that won the relay race ever year!!!! So many fond memories from Morton East and missing such a fun, wonderful, genuinely good man. You will be missed and thought of by all you touched. Peace and prayers to your family during this difficult time.
With warm and loving thoughts of you,
The Folz Family
Gary, Cheryl and PJ
Sorry for your loss. Rest in peace TR.
He will be missed
We recently had a heated political debate on Facebook, as we often did. I remember at the end of the debate I had told you something, and I continued to find it true until what will now be our last debate. I told you that even though you haven’t been my teacher, officially, for 30 years now, you never stopped teaching me. Through our debates you pushed me to investigate and research, more so than I probably ever did in school. Our last debate ended with us talking about going and having a drink together. I am deeply saddened that we will not be able to do that again. I am deeply saddened that our debates have come to an abrupt end. You will be missed Tom.
Condolences From the Brizick Family On the Passing of Gentle Giant of a Human Being
I Will Miss Our Conversatiions About Grant Works, Mayna’s Pizza & Morton East High School
••••••••••••• Breezy
Tom, thank you for the life lessons, for the love you showed for theater. You where a star to many of us, you will be missed.
Thomas Rusnak touched so many people in so many ways. He will be remembered and missed.
IHe gave me a chance as a bad kid in school to be in his play ‘The wonderful ice cream suit ‘
Best years of my life he was the best
He was an amazing teacher and mentor. So grateful I had him to inspire me in life. He will be deeply missed. My deepest sympathy to all.
Remembering the fun days of summer and Parkholme pool. You will be missed by MANY. My condolences.
Roxanne Yannotti Schuchart
To say Tom was a good man is a tremendous understatement. He was kind, gifted, and gave more than he ever received. When I started teaching Technical Theatre, he mentored me and got me on my feet. There is a hole in my heart today.
My condolences to the family. We have lost a friend and mentor today. Rest in peace my friend.
Class act as a long time neighbor, lifelong friend and colleague (for two years at Morton). Always available in counsel and heartfelt conversation; a rare, one of a kind compassionate human being. Deepest condolences from the Barry and the rest of the Resnick family.
I am so heartbroken. He was one of the greatest inspirations of my life. I am still a performer thanks to you TR. You are an angel that walked the earth and inspired so many.
Gods comfort from my entire Pope family.
F.A.M.E Chicago Volunteer and friend
I will miss Tom a lot we always debating politics may you Rest In Peace. I will miss you
RIP my friend. You were a great friend and inspiration to so many. You will be missed
I am stunned and filled with sadness. My heartfelt condolences to Mary Rita and all of Tom’s family. May God console them in this difficult time! Tom was one of a kind and the best of colleagues — he will be sorely missed! R. I. P.
I am stunned and brokenhearted to hear this news and so sorry for TR’s wonderful family. I taught with Tom in the 90s at Morton and found him one of the most creative compassionate and thoughtful people in the arts and education that I’ve ever known. Please know his memory will live on in his students and with those of us who were fortunate enough to be his colleagues .
TR and I had many heated debates. I looked forward to them because we shared common goals even though we had different ways of solving the issues. He was a father figure to me and many.
The world was a much nicer place because he was in it. Rest in Paradise my teacher, my mentor, my friend.
Rest in Peace Mr. Rusnak. You were truly one of a kind. A teacher who knew how to relate to students in a way that made them feel comfortable to be themselves. Your time here was too short and you will be sorely missed by many.
Condolences to the Resnick family from everyone here at the Lee family from Arizona. Tom rusnak touched many hearts he will be greatly missed I’m sure he’s going to be doing his best performances now in heaven
Deepest condolences on your loss, the world lost a great man but gained an angel.
TR, Thank you for teaching me to try and listen to my parents and helping me realize they just wanted me safe. Thank you for always checking in with my momby tue phone in your office, so she knew I was at CATS after school and at shows when they were happening. TR, Thank you for having such patience and love and true concern for EVERY STUDENT YOU TAUGHT. Thank you for being the man u were. Until we meet again, u are always in my heart and your lessons of life and all the stories you told, carry on thru me to my children You were a wonderful influence and u guided the path for many of us. You will be deeply missed Thank you, Cutains Closed, Exit Stage left. GOOD NIGHT. REST IN LOVE ,TR.
He was a good teacher may he R.I.P.
Tommy, there are too many words and accomplishments to list and they would not do justice to the life you have led and the individual lives you have touched.
My most heartfelt condolences to all who loved him.
Mr. Rusnak was a huge impact on me in school, the nicest guy! So very sad to hear 🙁
I will miss him! I am so glad that after almost 20 years out of touch, we re-connected last year when I returned to Chicago for reunions. Tom was a prince!
His entry in my yearbook…class of 1978. “Mickey, Thanks for the memories, the help, the healthy conversation. You’re a good guy, together and all that. Best always, Tom Rusnak.”
A wonderful man who shaped us through the arts and kept us grounded and on path…Thanks for a good start to becoming an adult Teach…
Mike Devereux
He always had a smile on his face . One of the nicest guys I ever met.
TR, Haven’t been in touch since i was in Morton West HS 1990-1994 tech guild, you made theatre fun and were a great teacher for many, your name was and will never be forgotten by many generations. May you rest in peace.
Condolences from the Rudolph Family.
“Act well your part for there the honor lies”.
Tom lived up to that quote everyday of his life and taught it to all by his words and actions.
My heartfelt condolences at your loss.
So Sorry to hear of this sad news. I will miss your smiling face
Deepest sympathies to the Rusnak Family. Tom will be sorely missed as a valued board member of the Morton Scholarship League.
Our deepest sympathies to the whole family and Mary. Tom will be deeply missed by all. My his memories bring some comfort.
A few years ago I was surprised to hear from you after so much time had passed. I’m glad we had a chance to touch base. My best memories are working at the pool together and the conversations we shared about our mutual love of drama and our hopes and dreams. Bye, Tommy. Miss you, Tyke
Sigh… I am sorry that I’m unable to be with you for Tom’s funeral but my heartfelt condolences are with your family and Tom’s other friends for our loss.
Thank you for allowing us to share Tommy with you all these years.
He’ll never be gone in our thoughts, our stories, and our hearts.
RIP,,,, He was a good guy,,,,, he will be miss…
I met Tom through his passion with volunteering for the non profit organization, Foundation of Artists Mentored in Entertainment (F.A.M.E.). Tom along with Mary Rita who introduced Tom to F.A.M.E., dedicated so much time to helping young deserving artists succeed in the arts and entertainment career.
The message I want to extend to Tom as he is watching us in heaven is a quote from Catherine Pulsifer;
“A fact of life we all die. But the positive impact you have on others will be a living legacy.”
Thank you, Tom for being in our lives and making it better.
My heart is broken. You will never be forgotten Mr. Rusnak. Morton East 1980-Sandy Urback-Barrer. May you RIP.
Mary Rita, sooo sad!!
My love and condolences to you.
Tom and Ken together – but so impossible to let go.
Ruth Julkowski
It’s been said that “There are some who bring a light so great to the world
-that after they have gone, the light remains.”
THANKS, Tom, for shining
the light of hope, inspiration, and love!