Thomas J. O'Toole

Mr. Thomas J. O'Toole, age 82, passed away peacefully at home on August 14, 2008. He was born in Muskegon on July 20, 1926 to Thomas P. and Virginia (Martin) O'Toole and was a lifelong resident of Muskegon. He married the former Patricia Schimke on January 22, 1955 in Manistee and she survives him. He is also survived by his children, Thomas (Sarah Stevens) O'Toole of Silver Springs, MD, Kathleen O'Toole (Tim) Langlois of Portage, Mary O'Toole of Midland, Daniel (Kellie) O'Toole of Williamston, John (Patti) O'Toole of Kalamazoo, Margaret O'Toole of Muskegon and Sarah O'Toole (Bob) Stephenson of Surprise, AZ; 19 grandchildren; 1 sister, Virginia O'Toole; 3 brothers, Mike O'Toole, Martin O'Toole and Brian (Nancy) O'Toole; many nieces and nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, John Patrick of Muskegon. Tom was the Valedictorian of the 1944 class of St. Jean's High School and went on to graduate from Muskegon Community College, Marquette University and the University of Michigan Law School. He proudly served his country in the US Army from 1951-1953 during the Korean War. He was a practicing attorney in Muskegon for over 50 years. During his legal career, he served as city attorney, assistant attorney general for the State of Michigan, president of the local bar association and president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Attorneys. Many of these years were spent in partnership with friend and colleague, G. Thomas Johnson. Until recently, he was of counsel at the law firm that bears his name, Parmenter O'Toole. He loved and respected the law and was known to those who practiced at his side as quiet and unassuming, and because of that, an effective lawyer. He enjoyed reading, music, trout fishing with his brothers, tennis, traveling and spending time at the family cabin on Lime Lake in Leelanau County. Tom was a member of St. Jean's Catholic Church, Serra Club, Irish American Society, American Legion, Muskegon Bar Association, lifetime member of the NAACP and other affiliations. In lieu of flowers, please consider Arc/Muskegon, St. Jean's Endowment Fund or Harbor Hospice. He touched many lives and leaves behind a rich legacy for his family and many cherished memories for his friends. He will be remembered for his deep faith, his service to the Muskegon community and love of his country. The MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be celebrated 11AM Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at St. Jean Baptiste Catholic Church with Rev. Fr. Thomas Page presiding. A MEMORIAL VISITATION will be held from 4-7PM Monday, August 18, 2008 at The Walburn Chapel Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc. 1547 W. Sherman Blvd. 231-759-8565 The ROSARY will be prayed at 7PM Monday.