Thomas J. Nugent, age 85, of Ottawa, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on June 12, 2025, surrounded by the love of his family.
Tom was born on August 24, 1939, in Boscobel, Wisconsin, the third of four children born to Claire and Nora Nugent. He spent his formative years in Boscobel, where he met the love of his life, Patricia Mary Friar. After graduating from Boscobel High School in 1957, Tom moved to Chicago and began working at Western Electric. Four years later, he proudly enlisted in the United States Army, serving four years in Germany.
On December 2, 1961, Tom married Mary, beginning a lifelong partnership rooted in love, laughter, and unwavering commitment. After his military service, Tom and Mary settled in the Chicago area, where he began a 40-year career with AT&T.; The couple purchased their first home in Lyons, Illinois, where they raised the first eight of their nine children. In 1971, they moved to Sandwich, Illinois, where their family was completed with the arrival of their ninth child. Tom retired from AT&T; in 1999 after four decades of dedicated service.
Tom was a devoted father and a man of many passions. He loved garage sales and became a dedicated collector of antique glass insulators. He enjoyed repairing bicycles and spent countless summer days boating with his children in Marseilles, Illinois. He also spent many years driving a school bus-Bus Number 8: Super Great and Never Late!-and proudly served as an alderman on the Sandwich City Council. Every year, he shared his love for collecting by displaying his impressive insulator collection at the Sandwich Fair.
Tom had a great sense of humor and especially loved April Fool’s Day. He was a lifelong prankster, famously scaring his kids by pretending to be Barlow from Salem’s Lot—a favorite joke they never forgot.
In 2003, Tom and Mary made their final home together in Ottawa, Illinois, where they shared over two more decades of love and memories.
Tom was a member of St. Columba Catholic Church and a previous member of St. Paul’s
Catholic Church.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife Mary and their nine children: Steven (Jackie), Teresa Green, Dana (Gary) Goodin, Michael (Ruben Hernandez), Jean Maloney, Mary Kenyeri, Julie (David) Richmond, Becky (Joe) Endres, and Kathy (Todd) Daggett. He is also survived by 25 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, his sister Mary O’Donnell, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Claire and Nora Nugent; his brothers Bill and Ed; grandchildren Dakota and Shelby; nephews Mark and Ned; sisters-in-law Bonnie and Chris Nugent; parents-in-law Michael and Genevieve Friar; brothers-in-law Michael Friar and Fred O’Donnell; and sons-in-law Don Green and Steven Kenyeri.
Tom’s legacy is one of love, laughter, community, and deep devotion to family. He filled every room with joy and mischief and left a lasting impression on all who knew him. His memory will live on in stories shared, pranks remembered, and smiles sparked.
A wake will be held on Thursday, June 19, 2025, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Ottawa Funeral Home, 1111 LaSalle Street, Ottawa, IL. A funeral mass will follow on Friday, June 20, 2025, at 10:30 AM at St. Columba Catholic Church, 122 W. Washington Street, Ottawa, IL. Tom will be laid to rest at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Sandwich, Illinois.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to The Open Door in Sandwich, Illinois, or Marquette Catholic Academy in Ottawa, Illinois, in Tom’s memory.
The online guest book may be viewed and remembrances shared at www.ottawafuneralhome.com
Ottawa Funeral Home & Crematory
1111 LaSalle St, Ottawa Illinois 61350
815-433-0300
www.ottawafuneralhome.com
