Thomas J. Galbavi

Tom passed away peacefully on September 8, 2024 at Hospice House of Mid-Michigan. He was born in Lansing, Michigan to Antoinette and Lewis Galbavi and was the 5th of 11 children. He was raised in Perry, Michigan on the "Galbavi Farm" which was always dear to his heart.
In 1953 Tom contracted polio just 1 year before the vaccine was developed. He never let the effects of the disease stop him from anything he wanted to achieve. He was a true survivor.
Tom graduated from Perry High School in 1969 and married his wife of 52 years, Mindy Hurley, in 1972. They were blessed with 2 wonderful daughters, Tracy (Dave) Clark and Jamie (Dean) Piper and 4 grandchildren, Lena and Thomas Clark and Sydney and Dean Piper. His kids and grandkids were the pride of his life and he never missed an opportunity to spend time with them. He retired from GM in Lansing in 2009 after 30 years of dedicated service and had a truly special ability to fix anything that came his way. Nothing was too big a challenge for him.
Tom is survived by brothers, Gary and Bob (Amy) Galbavi, sisters, Pat McDevitt, Nancy (Gordon) Bogner, Victoria Larder, Chris Sperry, Karen (Al) Cornell, Julie Galbavi, brothers-in-law, Dean (Tricia) Gaffner, Dale (Donna) Loveall and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved sister, Mary, brother, Jim, nephew, Alex and special parents, Bob and Linda Gaffner and special grandparents, Ruth and Jake Slocum.
Per Tom's wishes there will be no services. Donations in his memory can be made to Home Joy-Pat's Place Adult Social Center for Memory Care, 101 S. Shiawassee St., Corunna, MI 48817, the Alzheimer's Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, or to Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, 1210 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48915.
The family is being served by Watkins Brothers Funeral Homes, Perry Chapel where online condolences, memories, or photos may be shared at www.watkinsfuneralhomes.com.