Thomas Patrick Harlin November 20, 1932 – January 2, 2023
Family and friends are asked to meet for the Christian Funeral Mass, Saturday January 7th at 11:00 am directly at St. Michael Catholic Church, 14327 Highland Ave., Orland Park, Illinois. Thomas will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Alsip, Illinois.
The Harlin family kindly asks that in lieu of flowers, you may consider a memorial be made in Thomas’s name to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust. Please use the link provided https://cst.dav.org/ and also Michael Harlin’s email as the family contact. Harlin5college@gmail.com
For information please call 815/260-0668
Thomas Patrick Harlin, age 90, born and raised in Chicago, passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 2, 2023. Beloved husband of Joanne, nee Andersen for 55 years; devoted and proud father of Michael B. (Jamie) and Thomas A. (Kelly) Harlin; beloved grandfather of Michael M., Ruby, Sean, Elizabeth, Thomas M., and Margaret Harlin; dear brother of the late Joseph, Bernard, John and Mary Ellen. Fond uncle and great friend to many. Tom was born in Chicago on November 20, 1932 to the late Joseph and Mary, both of whom emigrated from Ireland to a better life in the United States. As the youngest of five, Tom was showered with love and affection, especially by his doting mother. A graduate of St. Brendan grammar school and St. Rita high school, Tom was a faithful and observant Catholic for all of his 90 years. Tom and Joanne were active members of St. Linus in Oak Lawn, and he filled many roles (including co-chairman) in the parish’s signature “Way Off Broadway” production. They were richly rewarded for their efforts with close friendships that lasted long after their move to Palos Heights in 1999. Tom served as a corporal in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany early in the Cold War. After his military service, Tom tried his hand as a cook, a salesman, and other jobs before starting as a janitor with the Chicago Public Schools system. Over almost 30 years, Tom worked his way up to becoming a Grade 5 stationary engineer at some of CPS’ largest high schools. Always handy with his tools, his mechanical skills served CPS well, as he fixed boilers, windows, desks and the rest of the physical plant. In his retirement, Tom’s natural friendliness & work ethic led him to work at Oak Lawn’s Stony Creek Golf Course for several years. Tom used his diverse skills & talents at home. Among other repairs & creations, Tom built a large, round kitchen table around which many meals & laughs were had. Usually Tom had prepared those meals himself, making great use of his talent & enjoyment of cooking. Most famously, Tom made fudge every year for the holidays, initially giving the credit to Joanne, but eventually accepting the praise for the best fudge ever made. His famous fudge was even featured at one of his sons’ weddings, when he prepared 45 pounds of fudge as treats for the wedding guests. Thanks to Tom, the “fudge wedding” was talked about for years afterward. More than anything, Tom loved his family with his whole heart & soul. He spent many long evenings and weekends in the bleachers, watching his sons at swimming meets and water polo games. And to Tom, his family was not just his wife, children, and grandchildren, but included his in-laws, his children’s in-laws, his neighbors – all were family to him as well. Family and friends are asked to join the funeral Mass at 11:00 am at St. Michael Church, 14327 Highland Ave., Orland Park, Il., followed by entombment at Holy Sepulcher Cemetery, Alsip, Il. Orrico Kourelis Funeral Services Inc. has been entrusted with all arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Charitable Service Trust (website: https://cst.dav.org/ ). May Tom rest in peace and his memory be eternal. For information please call 815/260-0668