Thomas Fredricks

1937 - 2015

Fredricks, Thomas (Tom)

5/4/37 - 2/27/15

Tom was born May 4, 1937 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to the late Frank and Madeline (Mikolic) Fredricks. He died peacefully in Seasons Hospice on February 27, after battling cancer for over a decade and a stroke in early 2014.

He married Metrodora (Metty) Evagelatos on June 21, 1969, in Brooklyn, New York. Tom is survived by his daughters, Jennifer (Harvey Schuckman) of Guilford, CT; and Rose (Dr. Christopher) Fyock of Greenville, SC; as well as four much loved grandchildren, Jacob and Dylan Schuckman and Madeline and Alexander Fyock. Tom is further survived by his siblings, Donald (Bonnie), Richard, Mary (Ray) Pitsch, Barbara (Jerry) Sprenger, Donna Thomas, Geralyn (Doug) Stieber, and Laura, all of Sheboygan; as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, Roman (Ann).

Before serving in the U.S. Army in Germany for three years, he attended Marquette University, where he graduated with a BA in Accounting. After his military service he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, earning teacher certification in 1964 and an MBA in 1970. He sat for the CPA exam in 1968 and was an Elijah Watts Award winner that year. He began an accounting practice from his home in 1970 and was a partner (retired) with the firm of Hartwig, Fredricks, & Pelzek.

Tom started the Accounting program at Waukesha County Technical College, where he taught from 1965 to 1993, full time and from 1993 to 2010, part time. He also taught part time at Carroll University from 1979 to 2012. Beside his family, Tom's love of teaching was central in his life, and he maintained close personal relationships with many former students.

Outside of his family and teaching Tom was a devoted Packer fan, biker, skier, runner, and gardener. He pedaled through Wisconsin, Vermont, Canada, Switzerland, and Minnesota with his friends. He even biked to Chicago for a Cubs game. He also competed in several marathons, Birkebeiners, and Kordolopets. He maintained a large home garden and always gave much of the produce to friends and family.

He lived life on his own terms but always with an eye to helping those he loved and those in need. Tom was a member of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Joseph Waukesha Conference, for over 30 years. He would make personal visits to answer calls for help several times each week until the stroke disabled him. He also served as an usher at St. William parish.

The family would like to thank the staffs of ProHealth Home Care, Visiting Angels, and Seasons Hospice for their help and gentle care of Tom this past year. And a special thank you to all the family members and friends who visited, played cards, had lunch, and prayed for us.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Church and Chapel Funeral Home, Highway JJ and Bluemound Road in Waukesha. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Monday, March 9, at St. William Church, 440 N. Moreland Blvd., Waukesha with visitation beginning at 9 a.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Joseph church, the WCTC Foundation for the Fredricks/Hansen Scholarship fund, or the charity of your choice.

An informal memorial service will be held later in the spring when his many friends and biking buddies return from their winter homes so we can share lots of "Tom stories." We know he is pedaling across heaven now with Bob and Jim. And we're sure there's always enough snow there so he can cross country ski any time he wants to.

He fought the good fight and ran the good race. He did not stumble. He will fly on eagle's wings always.