Tom J. Berkshire

Tom J. Berkshire, 81, of Springfield, passed away May 31 surrounded by friends and family members, love and laughter.

He was born on January 16, 1943 in Massilon, OH, the son of Roger and Bernice Berkshire. Tom grew up in Champaign, IL and Gulf Breeze FL, where he would meet Charlotte, his wife of 46 years.

Tom spent his career tirelessly advocating for children and for a better world. While at the University of Florida in the 1960's, he joined local civil rights activists, even going to jail, to fight for an end to segregated businesses in Gainesville. After getting a master's degree in urban planning from the University of Wisconsin, Tom and his young family headed to England where he would spend four years working at the Greater London Council-a highlight of his life. Ultimately settling in Springfield, IL, Tom worked for three different Illinois governors, including Governor James R. Thompson, whom he advised on child welfare and social policy for fourteen years. He would go on to serve as the executive director of Illinois Easter Seals, establishing Springfield's very first inclusive day care facility, designed to serve children with and without special needs. Tom spent the last part of his career at the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, where he was the chief of staff.

After retiring, Tom devoted himself to Generations of Hope, a vision of intergenerational communities in which senior citizens help raise foster children and other vulnerable populations. Started in Rantoul, IL, the model has now spread across the country, thanks in large part to Tom's passion and expertise. He is also a long-time board member of Nehemiah, an ambitious community project led by Pastor Silas Johnson of the Calvary Baptist Church, that aims to rejuvenate neighborhoods of Springfield through affordable housing and quality child care.

Known for his resemblance to Albert Einstein (especially the hair!), Tom was a visionary who delighted in coming up with novel solutions to complex problems. He mentored countless adults and children over the years, deploying a unique blend of humor, curiosity and encouragement known fondly as the "Tomassori" method. He was also famous for his love of good food, including favorites like seafood gumbo, Indian curries (the hotter the better) and great barbecue. During family trips, Tom impressed upon his daughters that it was worth detouring hundreds of miles off course in pursuit of a tasty regional specialty. While his daughters didn't always appreciate his insistence on avoiding highways or chain restaurants-or the requirement that the front passenger read aloud from the relevant Works Progress Administration guidebook about whatever town they were passing through-they learned a lot about utopian communities and where to find the best persimmon pudding in Indiana or the best barbecued mutton in Kentucky.

Tom is survived by his three daughters, Jennifer Berkshire (Russ) of Gloucester, MA, Gretchen Conley (Patrick) of Dix, IL and Sarah Berkshire-Kincaid of Springfield; five grandchildren: Clayton (Megan), Ryan (Ashley), Aaron, and Camryn Conley, who knew him as Goofball; Connor Kincaid, and one great grandchild: Charlotte; three sisters: Judy, Anne, and Mary Helen; and his beloved partner of the last twelve years, Donna Lynn of Springfield. He also leaves behind an extended family of friends and caregivers who loved and assisted him during his final years, including Jaime Hannon-Rutledge and family, Teresa Laris and family, Michelle Morris, and James Lewis.

A joyous celebration of Tom's life will be held in Springfield in the spring of 2025 to honor all of his favorite things-delicious food, good company, and great humor.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of Tom's favorite projects, Nehemiah Expansion Inc and Nehemiah Child Care Services, Calvary Baptist Church, 2208 East Kansas St., Springfield, Il 62703.