Thomas Frank Landa

THOMAS FRANK LANDA (May 29, 1933 – October 2, 2022)
Thomas Frank Landa, 89, of Shelby Township, Michigan, passed away on October 2, 2022.
Tom was the devoted husband of the late Jean Landa for sixty-six years and proud father to Felicia Landa, Jill (Chuck) Turnbull, Santo (Julie) Landa, Danny (Karen) Landa, Angela (Lloyd) Lind, the late Gasper Landa, Jeanne (Mark) Mikulski, Tommy (Tina) Landa, and Tony (Nancy) Landa. He was also the loving grandfather to eighteen grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Tom was born on May 29, 1933, in Detroit, MI to Felicia and Santo Landa. He was the youngest of three sons. After graduating from Nativity of our Lord on Detroit's East Side in 1951, Tom was offered a scholarship to Michigan State University for baseball and invited to play for the Philadelphia Phillies. Instead, he stayed at home to join Local 58 of the IBEW and most importantly, marry the love of his life, Jean Nicoletti.
Tom met Jean at a church dance where he was brave enough to ask her to dance. He would later muster the courage to ask for Jean's hand in marriage, and they tied the knot in 1954. They had a very special relationship for more than six decades. It is difficult to think of one of them without thinking of the other.
Tom and Jean had a large family and trusted that things would always work out. Because of their countless sacrifices throughout the years, they did. It was often remembered how, during an especially hard time, Tom courageously went to New York to find work and mailed checks home every week to provide food for his family. Tom did whatever it took to provide for his family, always.
Through his example, he taught his children the value of family, hard work, loyalty, friendship, and trust. Tom had the kind of wisdom they don't teach in school, often sharing it with memorable phrases or stories about his past. We will always remember him telling his children to "save your money" or "a day's work for a day's pay." He would also say that "you can go through life and be lucky to count your true friends on one hand." Tom had many more sayings. Most aren't suitable to put in writing, but they always made you laugh.
Without a doubt, his defining trait was his commitment and devotion to his family. Much like Jean, Tom loved being surrounded by his family and welcomed everyone into his home. Tom loved good food, dancing, and people. He had a great personality which allowed him to connect with all walks of life over the years. To family and friends alike, he was affectionately known as "TL" or "Papa."
In the last few years of his life, Tom was still teaching by his example, as he bravely dealt with health issues, the loss of his wife, and moving out of his home that he shared with Jean. Our family has been blessed to have such a great role model and a tremendous father.
Tom carried two wounds on his heart, the loss of his son, Gasper, over forty years ago, and the loss of his dear wife, Jean, 18 months ago. Both wounds are healed now. Rest in peace, Dad. Your family loves you.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 11 from 3:00 – 8:00 pm with 7:00 pm Eulogy by Santo Landa at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons 54880 Van Dyke at 25 Mile Rd. (SHELBY TOWNSHIP). Funeral Wednesday, October 12 Instate 9:30am at St. Kieran Church 53600 Mound Road (btw. 24 & 25 Mile Rds.) until time of Mass at 10:00am. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Association at https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give.Entombment Resurrection Cemetery. Share memories with the family at their "On Line Guest Book" @ WujekCalcaterra.com.