Thomas A. Abele

Obituary for Thomas A. Abele  

Born February 14, 1948 in Chicago, Illinois

Departed on March 14, 2021

Tom Abele, father, grandfather, husband, uncle, brother, friend, and businessman.  

Born to Robert Joseph Abele and Helen Marie Abele (nee Hauser) on February 14th, 1948.  Tom grew up in Oriole Park on the northwest side of Chicago, where he attended St. Eugene’s Catholic Grade School and mass for many years, later volunteering as an usher.  

Father to Brian (Joanne) Abele and Andrew Abele.  Born second of ten, Tom was a caring brother to Robert Abele; Susan Abele (Dan Greiner); Nancy Larson-Thurman; James Abele; Kathleen (Dennis) DeSando; Carol (William) Schiavone; Amy Abele (Dan Sorrisso); John Abele; Peter (Mary) Abele; Grandfather to Aubrienne Abele; and uncle to many beloved nieces and nephews.  He loved you all. 

Shortly after he learned to walk, Tom began his career at the family business, Consolidated Dental Lab, where he developed his strong work ethic.  He worked through his time at St. Patrick High School and went on to study chemistry at University of Illinois Chicago.  In 1969, he was drafted into the Army and served honorably until 1974.    

Tom was dedicated to family and generously gave his time to help any family or friend in need, often without being asked.  If he cared about you, you were part of the family, and he gave his assistance and advice in many forms.  He quietly volunteered as a tutor, at various churches and soup kitchens behind the scenes.

Tom loved being around people and making them smile.  He brought jokes and laughter to everyone, ready or not.  Nothing said “everything is ok” like Tom laughing, often at his own jokes, which may have been the funniest part.    

Tom took pride and believed in the dignity of hard work.  He built and ran Consolidated Dental Lab with his father, cousin, Michael Doyle, and partners—a true success story of the 70’s and 80’s.  Tom was active in the professional community and was recognized with multiple awards from the Illinois Dental Lab Association.  He later founded Northwest Dental Prosthetics, working cases through his final days.

Tom balanced work with his passion for boating.  He built his first boat before he was sixteen and spent his life on and around the water.  He loved everything about it: the people, the good and foul weather, the gear, the culture, the adventure, the hard work…and teaching others.  Boating became a form of fulfillment and self-expression for him.  Ultimately, whether he admitted it or not, his passion was invested in the primary purpose of connecting with others, sharing time, and creating unique experiences with those he cared for most, transforming his passion and effort into joy, wonderment, and memories for a lifetime.  

We are thankful for your thoughts and prayers. 

Funeral Mass, 10 am, Saturday, June 4, 2022. Please meet at St. Paul of the Cross, 320 S. Washington Ave., Park Ridge, Il.  Inurnment private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to TUTORING CHICAGO.

https://tutoringchicago.rallybound.org/personal-fundraising-campaign/tomabele