Thomas Lee McAvoy

It is with profound sadness that we, the McAvoy Family, have to let you all know that Thomas McAvoy, beloved brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away this morning. Words cannot describe the loss that we feel nor the loss all of you who knew him even in the briefest of moments are feeling now. He is and was an irreplaceable source of love, joy, and yes even head-shaking stubbornness. But even in that, and maybe most of all in that, we were all awarded and redeemed by the laughter, the smart aleck wink, and the tall tales the size of Italian olives. For every antique collectible that was rarely collectible and sometimes not even antique, there was the hope behind it all that the next flea market or slot spin was bringing untold millions. For every miniscule moment of self-deprecation, there was the reassuring pat and the I love you too to follow. For every time in all our own lives where life seemed to be out of control, there was the subconscious certainty that he was there and there for you. 

For every tear shed now, there is an ocean of gratitude for the moments had. 

It is with that lifetime of love bestowed by him that he was allowed to leave: with all his children with him in his final days and with the final blessing of the only person who could ever tell him to leave, the only person who no one could really compete with for his own love and joy, the one person that he has so desperately missed: his wife, Diane. 

And so it is that in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, exactly seven years to the exact date of her New Year’s Day passing, that Diane came to him in his peaceful sleep and whispered, “Tom it’s time to come home.” 

Even in our grief, we celebrate that beauty and grace for him, for her, and for all of us in remembrance today. We encourage you to do the same.

Thomas is survived by his loving family, children, Dawn McAvoy, Michelle McAvoy, Shawn (Sheryl) McAvoy, Scott (Kim Bottema) McAvoy, Tracey McAvoy, sibling, Pat (Linda) McAvoy, grandchildren, Jeremiah (Danita Yancey) Lewellen, Christopher (Danielle Kovacic) Lewellen, Matthew (Cassandra Dahman) Lewellen, Jessica (Ken) Medo, Katie McAvoy, Caroline McAvoy, Thomas McAvoy, Gillan McAvoy, Hannah McAvoy, Nathan McAvoy, great grandchildren, Benjamin, Zackary, Owen, Finn, Eli, Ollie and numerous nieces and nephews.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. & Minnie McAvoy (Thompson), wife, Diane McAvoy (O’Connell), siblings, Don Thompson, Pete Thompson and Jimmy McAvoy.

Family will receive friends at Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 65 Old Frankfort Way, Frankfort IL 60423 on Sunday, January 4th, 2026 from 2:00 PM until 7:00 PM. Funeral Mass, Monday, January 5th, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 19515 115th Avenue, Mokena IL 60448 at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital would be greatly appreciated.