Pajak

Thomas Joseph Pajak, 82, of Harmony, passed away on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, after a long and beautiful life, from complications resulting from a stroke.

Born Aug. 21, 1942, in Chicago, Ill., Tom was the son of the late Joseph S. and Martha Gibes Pajak. Tom spent the beginning of his life living on his mother’s portion of her family's large farm in Lockport, Ill. He graduated in 1960 from Lockport Township High School and attended Joliet Junior College before receiving his degree in agricultural economics from the University of Illinois in 1965.

While in college, Tom worked for the United States Department of Agriculture, where he met the love of his life, Carole Cavanaugh. After graduating, Tom and Carole were married, and Tom worked in the computer department of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad, which was owned by U.S. Steel. Tom was eventually transferred to Pittsburgh, where he retired after 37 years in 2002. He was a devout Roman Catholic who attended St. Alphonsus Church, now part of St. Aidan Parish in Wexford.

Tom was known for his intelligence, storytelling and quiet wit. He loved spending time with his eight children and their families, cooking delicious food, tending to his prolific garden and lawn, woodworking, meeting old friends for breakfast, and researching his family ancestry. His knowledge of his Polish ancestors, and his wife’s Irish heritage went beyond that of a hobbyist. Tom believed that every family has a history that is worth recording for future generations. He and Carole spent endless hours together researching their family genealogy so that their children and grandchildren would know their family story.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Carole, of Harmony; his devoted children, Anne Annis (Michael), Joseph Pajak, Jeanne Pajak, Michael Pajak (Heather), Christopher Pajak (Sky), Timothy Pajak (Kathryn), Katharine DeVore (Patrick) and James Pajak; as well as by his seven grandsons; five granddaughters; and three great-grandsons.

PAJAK — Visitation for Thomas Joseph Pajak, who died Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 4, at St. Aidan Parish, St. Alphonsus Church, 221 Church Road, Wexford.

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to make a donation in Tom’s name to Lifesteps, lifesteps.net/memorialdonations, or Easterseals, https://bit.ly/4a4D4bI, two programs that mean a lot to the Pajak family.

Tom will be laid to rest at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery in Romeoville, Ill.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.