Thomas Michael Zahorik, age 39, died suddenly on January 20, 2024 in Cali Colombia. He had just married the beautiful Luciana Gomez Pulgarin, in Cali, Colombia on January 13. Cali was a special place for Tom. He lived there from 2009-2015, teaching at an International Baccalaureate school and had many friends there. Tom was living in Evanston, IL and worked as an IT specialist. He had planned to bring his new bride back to Evanston.

Tom was born on March 15, 1984 in Evanston, the son of Janet McCauley and Michael Zahorik and leaves behind his brother Jesse (Jennifer), sister Meggie (Taylor) Lantz, niece Willow, sister Marie Therese, youngest brother Michael, step mother Barb Zahorik along with grandparents Ed and Joan Zahorik, uncle Mark (Elena) Zahorik, aunts Lisa Bower and Molly Zahorik, uncle Bob McCauley, aunt Molly McCauley, step father Fred Kraenzle and many great aunts, uncles and cousins.

Tom was intelligent and curious, kind and empathetic. He grew up in Northfield, graduated from New Trier High School in 2003 and attended several colleges pursuing his interest in anthropology. He traveled extensively in Latin America, went to Cali to learn Spanish and ended up becoming a teacher there. He was passionate about music, a self taught pianist with a keen interest in bebop era and latin jazz music. Tom was a co-founder of a jazz club in Cali, Punto Barre, the finest live music club in a city renowned for salsa and dancing. Tom also loved to cook, inspired by both his Mom, Janet, and Emeril LaGasse, beginning his journey to becoming fantastic chef at the young age of 13. Among his friends he was the resident grill master and was renowned for his breakfasts and desserts. He was constantly searching for his next culinary challenge.

Tom was an avid Chicago Bulls fan, a lifelong spectator of his father and grandfather’s game of handball and enjoyed lifting weights. He was a devoted son to his mother Janet, as well as a loving grandson to her parents Tom and Elizabeth McCauley. He loved dogs, no matter the number of shoes lost to them. He was proud to have worked with his Uncle Mark at Keeley Asset Management in a variety of roles and took after his maternal Grandfather, Porter, in his aptitude for math. During any trip to Chicago, Tom loved breakfasts with his Grandfather Ed at Walker Bros Pancake House, absorbing the history of our family and polishing his jokes. His Grandmother Joan was seen as a constant source of support for his creative endeavors, which always gave him the drive to continue improving.

Tom spent most of his childhood in Northfield, producing a nearly endless amount of stories of a wonderful teenage life spent with his brother Jesse and his closest childhood friends, Walker, Brian, and Doug. Tom lived with his father and step mother Barb and his little baby sister Marie Therese in La Grange during 8th grade, graduating from Park Junior High. Tom lived in Los Angeles during his first year in college, then moved to Florida to attend junior colleges. He continued his college years at DePaul in Chicago, then returned to Florida where he attended New College with Walker.

His story would not be complete without the mention of Jim Loftus and Jim’s son Shane, a one time roommate and constant partner in crime for Tom. Jim became a mentor and dear friend who Tom often stayed with when visiting Shane.

In Colombia Tom was fortunate enough to find a second family in Andres, his mother Doris (his “Cali mom”), and his dear friend Gio. Very few things brought Tom more joy than to host his friends and family in Colombia, skillfully planning trips tailored to the interests of the visitor and his deep knowledge of the country and its history. Colombia was truly a second home for Tom, and his favorite place to be outside of Chicago.

After many years away from Chicago and his family, one of Tom’s favorite periods was in 2014 when he and his brothers would use Playstation and voice chat as a way to keep their relationship strong. Countless hours were spent laughing and talking with Michael and Jesse—he often reflected on the joy that time brought him.

When Tom returned from Colombia he was proud to have an opportunity to work alongside his cousin, Dr. Juliet Bradley, putting his love for Spanish and Latin culture to work in serving Chicago’s Southwest side community doing outreach work in HIV prevention and LGBTQ advocacy.

Tom’s most difficult qualities to convey in writing were his wit and sense of humor. But if you knew him, there is no doubt you have your own experience to share.

Life was not always easy for Tom but he persevered and had found so much joy with the girl of his dreams, Luciana. It is heartbreaking for all of us that his life ended so suddenly at his happiest moment.

We are establishing a “Tommy Zahorik Tierradentro/Fundacion Musical El Colectivo de Cali Scholarship Foundation” – A foundation providing scholarships to Cali students studying music, academics and cooking. Contact Mike Zahorik if you wish to donate (m_zahorik@yahoo.com). The foundation will be managed by Mike and Andrés Tobón. 

There will be a visitation at Hallowell & James Funeral Home, 1025 W. 55th St., Countryside on Sunday, January 28 from 1-5 pm including words of remembrance at 4:00.

Information: 708-352-6500