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Obituary for Thomas A. Rowley
Thomas Arthur Rowley passed away on October 6, 2020 surrounded by his family after a long struggle with cancer. He was 75.
Tom was born in Racine, Wisconsin on November 26, 1944 to father John Thomas “Jack” Rowley and mother Joy Jewel (nee Hansen) Rowley and grew up in Green Lake, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Once earning his degree, Tom moved to Kokomo, Indiana for his first engineering job at Delco Electronics. There, he met his future wife, Justine Ann (nee Turley) Rowley and they were married on December 14, 1968. Tom and Tina had their first 2 daughters in Indiana and then moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1973, and settled in Birmingham, Michigan, where their third daughter was born. Tom was known for his kindness and generosity for family and friends, spending time in the outdoors and golfing, woodworking, his love of the University of Wisconsin, as well as giving back to his community through volunteering his time and talents, most recently at Humble Design and the Birmingham Optimist Foundation.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Jill (nee Rowley) Tews, Deborah Rowley and Robin Rowley. He is survived by his wife Justine Ann (nee Turley) Rowley; children Claudette Suzanne Rowley, Juliet Hope (nee Rowley) Matko and Anne Katherine Rowley; grandchildren Ethan Joseph Rowley Silverman, Emily Ann Matko, Bryan Thomas Matko, Melissa Joy Matko, and Charlotte Elizabeth Kennedy; brothers Jack Rowley, Scott Rowley and Jeffrey Rowley.
Visitation will take place at Lynch & Sons Funeral Home, 1368 N. Crooks (between 14-15 Mile Roads), Sunday, October 11, from 2pm to 7pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Name Catholic Church, 630 Harmon, Birmingham, Monday, October 12, at 10am. For those unable to attend in person, the Funeral Mass will be livestreamed via hnchurch.org
People wishing to honor Tom’s commitment to his community can make donations to Humble Design via the link below or to the Birmingham Optimist Foundation, care of Bill McConnell, Treasurer, 31574 E. Bellvine Trail, Beverly Hills, Michigan 48025. The Birmingham Optimist Foundation gifts will go towards Bringing Out the Best in Kids.
