Thomas Joseph Schmitz died Thursday morning September 3, 2015 with family by his side. Tomwas born in Great Falls on July 8, 1929 to Bernard “Ben” Schmitz and Lucinda “Peg” (Brockley) Schmitz. He was the middle child with Dorothy and Marnie his sisters. The family moved to Dodson, Lewistown, and finally settled in Helena. Tom graduated from Helena High with the class of ’47.
After graduation he met Mary Lou Tobin and they married in summer of 1950. They had three children together. Tom had careers with Montana Motors in Helena, Watson Motors in Bozeman and 18 years with General Motors in Denver and Omaha. Upon retiring from GM in1971, Tom and Mary Lou purchased Art’s Auto Supply in Omaha Nebraska. In 1977 Tom and Mary Lou returned to Helena where they purchased Capital Auto Supply. Tom operated Capital Auto until his retirement in 1982. After playing hundreds of rounds of golf at Green Meadow Country Club, he joined the staff of Power Townsend where he was known as Tool Tom.
His hobbies included a metal shop in his basement where you could eat off the floor. In this meticulous shop he manufactured numerous spare parts for various machines, motors and gadgets for friends and strangers alike. Usually for free. Golf at GMCC and fishing the local rivers and lakes were also some of his most favorite times
Tom was preceded in death by his wife Mary Lou, parents Ben and Peg Schmitz, sisters Dorothy (Howard) Schwendler and Marnie (Peter) Ricci, and his great granddaughter JessicaWeinfurtner.
He is survived by his son Steve (Jenny), daughter Missy (Al) Weinfurtner and daughterCharmaine (Dennis) McLaughlin. He has 7 grandchildren, Al and Terry Weinfurtner, Amanda and Spencer (Kris) Schmitz, Landon, Emily and Kristen McLaughlin. He also has 6 great grandchildren.
A visitation will be held on Monday, September 7th from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Ave. A Funeral Mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8th, 2015 at the Cathedral of St. Helena, 530 N. Ewing Street. A reception will immediately follow the Mass in the Brondel Center. He will be laid to rest, privately, at Forestvale Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family wishes donations in his name be made to The Angel Fund. PO Box 7436, Helena, MT 59604.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday September 7, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Funeral Mass
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday September 7, 2015
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Ave
Helena, Montana 59602
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Cathedral of Saint Helena
530 N. Ewing St.
Helena, Montana 59601
Reception
Following the Funeral Mass
Tuesday September 8, 2015
Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana 59601
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Pat Ackerman says
He was a great man and friend. Always had a smile and advice about any subject you would throw at him.
RIP
Lucinda Mattalino says
We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Take comfort in knowing he will be reunited with Mary Lou, his sisters and his parents. He was a wonderful man who could light up a room with his presence and humor.
You will all be in our prayers.
Lucinda and Family
Marcia Wall says
The Tool Man was one of a kind earth angel! He would create/invent a tool for a customer at Power Townsend only to insist they donate to Angel Fund for his handy work! He would check with me weeks later to make sure I received a donation and continued handing out my business card to many customers! He always had a twinkle in his eye and a fun story to tell. He and MamaLou are now together sharing their laughter and wisdom. He had many gifts to share and I appreciated his giving spirit to help kids in need through Angel Fund. Thank you Tom and God Bless you always! My love to you! Marcia
Gary and Meg Blom says
What an awesome American and gentleman too! Tom will be missed. Our condolences to the family for your loss.
Dave Nardinger says
The immediate thoughts that enter my mind as I think of Tom is: What a gentleman, what a positive spirit for the Helena community and I’m sure where ever he went. I met Tom years ago at Capital Auto Supply and was immediately taken with his intelligence, honesty and quality as a man. He was a wealth of knowledge for us mechanical folks and always brightened my day when our trails crossed. He will be deeply missed. Best wishes to his family. Dave
Marci & Steve Lynn says
Steve, Jenny and family,
So very sorry to hear of your great loss. Steve, your dad sounded like a terrific guy. May the Lord comfort you during this time of sorrow.
John Schwendler says
My cousins will think me insincere, but I extend my condolences anyway. Thanks for the notice that he had passed, what, three weeks ago? Unbelievable.
David says
How’s it going, Tom? …. “Better Every Day!” Thanks, Tom, for being my friend. See you in heaven.