Thomas Longfellow
Galien – Thomas Longfellow, age 77, of Galien, Michigan died unexpectedly Thursday morning, January 5, 2012 at his home.
Tom was born May 8, 1934, in Galien to the late Lena (Miller) and Howard Longfellow. He graduated from Galien High School in 1952. Tom served his country stateside in the US Army. On August 10, 1957, he married Pauline Freehling. For over 35 years, Tom worked as a casting inspector for Bosch in St. Joe, Michigan, retiring in 1996. He cherished every moment he spent with his family. For 37 years, they spent every weekend during the summer at Swan Lake in Allegan, MI. Tom also enjoyed vacationing with his family in Florida and had recently returned from there visiting his brother. Tom never missed an opportunity to spend the day outside in his yard and loved tending to his garden.
Survivors include his wife, Pauline; children, Dale Longfellow, Cindy (Larry) Norris, Tim Longfellow, and Pam (Dale) Bailey, all of Galien; grandchildren, Mandie Stansbury, Andrea Longfellow, Lauren Barkman, Jenna Longfellow, Tom Norris, Becky Norris, Kharysa Longfellow, Miles Longfellow, Ryan Bailey, and Derek Bailey; 8 great-grandchildren; his brothers, Charles “Bud” (Rachel) Longfellow of Port Orange, FL and Robert Burl (Eleanor) Longfellow of Baroda, MI; sisters-in-law, Norma Freehling of New Troy, Mary Lee Leazenby of Buchanan and Arlene Burkett of South Haven, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Tom was preceded in death by his granddaughters, Brandie Longfellow and Cynthia Norris, and his sisters, Helen Dodd and Carmen Foster.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Sunday at the Pobocik Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, January 9, 2012 at Pobocik Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Galien Cemetery with military honors.
Memorials may be made to the Galien United Methodist Church or the Roy Chilson American Legion Post 344 in Galien.
To leave an online tribute, please visit www.pobocik.com.
Print Obituary & Condolences
To the Longfellow Family..
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your Husband, Dad, Grandfather, and friend!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time. Our hearts go out to you in your time of sorrow. May the comfort from God help you all during this time. Although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, you know that you are very close in every thought and prayer.
So Sorry for your loss many fond memories of the family Prayer’s to you all
Aunt Pauline & family, we are so, so sorry for the loss of Uncle Tom, many prayers n hugs to you all. I too have a ton of wonderful memories of those Swan Lake weekends I will cherish forever!! know we are there in spirit although we can’t be there in person at this time…. much love to ya’ll
Laurie & family
Pauline and family: Our sincere sympathy. What great memories we have of Tom. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Myra and Beryl
My sincere condolences to the entire Longfellow family. May your good memories comfort you in the loss if this great guy.
Pam, I am so sorry for your loss. Your dad always made me smile and always seemed so happy. That is how I will rememer him. To Pauline and the rest of the family, My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I pray that God will give you the strength to get through this sorrowful time. Just know that Tom will be missed by all who knew him.
Pauline and family we are so sorry to hear the passing of Tom,we like most have fond memories of the fun times @ Swan Lake,and what helpful neighbors you both were.May the memorys of his life bring sunshine and laughter to you all.Sorry we won’t be able to attend the services as we are in Fla. for the winter but you are in our thoughts and prayers.Rest in peace Tom! Love Ruthie and Mr.Bill Arnold
Pauline and entire family,
Please accept our deepest sympathy at your great loss. You will be in our prayers and thoughts at this most difficult time.
Jack and Tom just spoke the day before we left. They talked about the wonderful time you both had in Florida in November.
Cherish the good memories and times you had together.
Pauline,Dale,Cindy, Tim and Pam: I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God comfort you and give you strength you need to get through this difficult time. I have so many wonderful memories of Tom and growing up with your family and spending time at swan lake.
Our condolences to the entire family, we will miss Tom tremendously. Tom was the best neighbor and friend a person could ask for.
Larry & Amy
Pauline and family, I was surprised and sad to hear about Tom’s passing. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear Longfellow Family,
Our sincere condolences on the passing of such a special person to you all, trust that he is in God’s arms and you will be reunited one day. Your entire family is in our prayers.
I was raised next door to Tom, my parents were Clarence and Eva Huss, I lived there until 1952 when I married Wayne, in the Olive Branch church by Rev. Putman. We moved to Louisville, Ohio 46 yrs ago but both Wayne and I are Michigan born. You have our sincere sympathy. God Bless you at this difficult time. Beverly
Pam and family,
You are all in our prayers.
Jeff, Laura, Bec, Veiga and Pat
Pauline & family,
We are so sorry to hear of Tom’s sudden passing. No matter the age or the reason, it is still very difficult saying “goodbye” to someone who has been a significant part of your lives for many years.
Our thoughts and prayer are with you as you move forward dealing with your big loss. Hope all the fond memories you all have shared will help to ease the pain.
With deepest sympathy,
Ken & Donna
Cindy & Larry,Pauline
We are so very sorry to hear the bad news. We truly considered Tom a friend.
Thank you very much for letting me know about Toms passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!
To the Longfellow family, My deepest sympathy to you and your family at this unexpected loss. I worked with Tom at Bosch for many years. What a nice man to everyone. Your in my thoughts and prayers.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. May the God who grants peace, comfort you by means of His promises found in His Word, the Holy Bible. He is close to all those who are broken at heart and those crushed in spirit, He saves. (Psalms 34:18). My prayers are that you will find the comfort He provides.
As a child,i lived 2 doors down from the Longfellow family,and I don’t think I ever saw him without a smile on his face.He lives on in your hearts.
Dear Pauline, I was shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death of your dear husband Tom. I’m sorry I never got to know him but was happy to meet him at our class reunions. May the God of all comfort be near you at this time and give you the peace and comfort that only comes from Him! Be assured of my prayers for you and your family at this time of sorrow.
Pauline
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Dear Pauline & family,
We were so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Milly’s Family