Thomas E. Cusack
Thomas E. Cusack, age 65, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2017. Tom, a resident of Indian Head Park, IL was born in Chicago on January 13, 1951 and raised in the South Shore area. Tom attended St. Philip Neri, Mt. Carmel High School and Arizona State University, where he was a member of the Sigma Nu Fraternity. A serious automobile accident forty-five years ago left Tom a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. However, he refused to let this terrible accident slow him down. With limited use of his arms and hands, he spent most of his life working for various mobility companies who specialized in designing vans and improving home access for the disabled. Given his own circumstances, who better to help the disabled improve their own quality of life but Tom? Tom was a man of strong Catholic faith. He touched the lives of countless co-workers at Mobility Works and Braun Mobility, his many friends, and was truly beloved by all, especially Roy Butler, his beloved caretaker for many years of Tom’s life. Tom helped mentor many people with disabilities and made presentations on the importance of safe driving and seat belts at high schools throughout the Chicago area. Tom was a longtime advocate for the disabled and volunteered at The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and, most recently, at The First Division Museum at Cantigny in Wheaton, IL. Always ready with a quick smile and a witty comment, he never lost his zest for life and was a great example to us all. We will miss him greatly. Tom was predeceased by his parents, John Cusack and Magdalene Cusack (Hanousek) and his brother John Cusack. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Noel (Zidek) Cusack and his siblings, Judy Ryan (Jack) of Burr Ridge, IL, Jim Cusack (Lynn) of Western Springs, IL, Ray Cusack (Cindy) of Tucson, AZ, Rick Cusack (Yvette) of Lake Forest, IL, Mag Kemp (David) of Coeur d’Alene, ID and Ana Marcyan (Carl) of Lake Forest, IL, and many nephews and nieces. A Memorial Mass for Tom will be held at Saint Francis Xavier Church, 124 North Spring Avenue, LaGrange, IL, Saturday, January 21. Visitation 9:30 to 11:30am, Mass 11:30am. Please, no flowers. Donations would be appreciated to: The Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute, c/o Elizabeth Knollman, 420 East Superior Street, Arthur J. Rubloff Building, 9th Floor, Chicago, IL 60611. Arrangements entrusted to Hallowell & James Funeral Home at 708/352-6500
Noel
So sorry for your loss if you need anything let me know
I know He is resting in peace now
Cathy clark
What a beautiful tribute, Maggie. Sending my heartfelt condolences to you and all the family.
He was really an example of
Courage
Quick with a smile and a handshake
Wonderful family
Great wife
He will be missed
He was a remarkable individual. As everyone would say – always someone who had a quick and very funny quip. A great guy and will miss him.
Dearest Cusack Family ,
Sending love at this time of deep loss.
Tom was always so , so nice to me as a little girlfriend of Maggie’s growing up.
What wonderful things he did in guiding so many through a journey that he knew first hand.
I know I speak for all the Brooks family in sending our prayers and love to you all.
Much love, as ever. Helen R. Brooks
My sincere sympathy on the loss of your husband.
So sorry for this loss at such a young age. Our prayers are with our dear friends Maggie and David Kemp and all of their family. My Father house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? John 14:2
May God bless the family and may they feel his loving arms around the family!
Noel and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I will keep you in my prayers.
The thoughts and prayers of the Mount Carmel High School community are with your family during these days. May the saints of Carmel welcome Thomas into God’s eternal embrace and may Our Lady of Mount Carmel wrap you in the mantle of her love and care.
– Mount Carmel High School
Noel and family,
Tom and I were good friends back in the mid 1970s. I worked at RIC as an orderly prior to going to seminary and that was our connection. For several months in 1976-1977 I helped Tom as his caregiver. He was a great friend, one time even driving me home to Jefferson City, MO to see my family. He was generous, funny, warm, kind and a great friend. I am so sorry for your loss. God bless him.
Fr. John Hagan
On behalf of Tom’s Sigma Nu Brothers we will all miss him greatly. He was truly a legend among his Brothers and greatly admired for having the courage and strength to return to Arizona State and graduate after the devastating accident. Tom’s great dignity, perseverance and humor will never be forgotten. God Bless you Noel for your love and dedication to such a wonderful man.
Anna, Carl and family,
So sorry for your loss. Charlene and I will pray for strength and comfort9during these difficult times.
Love you
Tom DeRosa
Anna and Carl and Tom’s wife Noel, and family. I am praying for you all today. Tom sounds like he was a terrific man. I’m sorry we never met. He also sounds like he lived every day to the fullest and gave back by volunteering. May God hold him in the palm of his hand.
Dear Noel, so sorry for your loss. I have such fond memories of growing up with Tom in South Shore. He was a wonderful guy!
Fondly,
Patti Powers Deveney
Tom was a very special friend. I met Tom and Noel in 1990. My landscape help at their fantastic home flourished into a wondrous relationship that spanned decades. Tom’s love of trains led to a long journey of special collectibles that he always knew I would think he would appreciate. I was there to appreciate Tom, Noel, Remus, Shannon, Baron and Kirby, his beloved family of pets he referred to as ‘our kids’. Once in Florida, I saw a man using a Mobility Works van and I said I had a friend in IL who designs and installs these things. Wheni mentioned Tom’s name, he knew who Tommy was! How sweet.
Tom will always be remembered. He was a great man.