Thomas “Tom” James Wolfenden • December 5, 2022
Thomas (“Tom”) James Wolfenden, 83 of Pensacola, Florida, passed away peacefully on December 5, 2022 at the Covenant Care Center for Hospice Care at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida.
He was born on July 21, 1939 in Chicago IL to Thomas and Wilma Wolfenden and was the youngest of six children. Tom graduated from General High School, Chicago IL in 1956.
A devout American patriot, Tom wanted to serve his country. After graduating high school, he served in the United States Navy as a mechanic for four years, where he was stationed at NAS Pensacola and on the USS Boxer. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the military and then earning his A.S. Degree at Pensacola Junior College, he started working for the US Postal Service, moving up from clerk to supervisor to mailpiece design analyst. He retired from the Post Office after 37 years.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Wilma, and siblings Dorothy Reichert(Ernie), Doris Schaumberg(Leonard), Wilma Zeller(Bernie), and John Wolfenden(Rose).
He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of over 46 years, Elizabeth Ann Wolfenden, his sister Helen Rago of Tinley Park, Illinois (Jim), and daughters MaryAnn Suarez of Pensacola (William), Nancy Lombardo of Gulf Breeze, Florida (Vince) Diane Perry of Millersville, Tennessee (Eddie), Lori McClure of Pensacola (Ron), Angela Wolfenden-Schmitt of Pensacola (Joey), Melissa Wolfenden of Cottontown, Tennessee, as well as many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Tom was an avid Civil War historian, as well as ancestry researcher. He was also a big Chicago Bears fan, and the most loyal Chicago Cubs fan there ever was. He always said before they finally won in 2016, “If I could see the Cubbies win just one World Series, I could die a happy man.” He had also been an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Tom was the best husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and cousin you will ever find on this Earth. He always called his daughters with “hey kid.” He was a hard worker, loyal, supportive, and extremely funny. Tom was the best there ever was and will be truly missed.
Services will be held at Pensacola Memorial Gardens Chapel, Pensacola Florida on Thursday December 8. Visitation will be from 1-2pm with service at 2pm.
Pallbearers are Tom’s son-in-laws Ron McClure, Eddie Perry, Joey Schmitt, Vince Lombardo and grandsons Jason Lombardo and Marcus Hurston. Honorary Pallbearers are grandsons Jeremy Lombardo, Justin Lombardo, and grandson-in-laws Patrick Coogan and Blaine Perry.
* In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warriors Project and Shriners Hospital for Children.
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I am so sorry for ya’lls loss. Wishing peace and comfort for your family. I know just how much he loved his Cubbies!
My dearest brother I will miss you very much. I will cherish all the memories we had together as siblings growing up.
I adored my Uncle Tom. He told awesome stories and was a very gracious host when we visited. His love for this country was beyond words. He and my mom were more than brother and sister, they were great pals, especially when it came to the Cubbies.❤️ I will miss you Uncle Tom. Please say “hello” to my mom and dad. I miss you all so much.💔🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻