Thomas Anthony Milinowicz

Thomas Anthony Milinowicz passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, on February 3, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, after 77 years of living life fully and on his own terms.

Tom is survived by his children: Jennifer Milinowicz; Zachary Milinowicz (Andria); Katelyn Milinowicz; Liana (Kevin) Wolfe; JB Sepeda (Kathy); Pedro Sepeda (Samantha); and Apolonia (Garrett) Brenaman. He also leaves behind many beloved grandchildren and others who affectionately called him “Gramps.”

Also surviving Tom are his siblings: David (Angela); Robert; Gail (Tom) Roche; William (Ronnie) and his sister-in-law Elsie (Gabriel) DeLeon, along with their extended families.

Tom was predeceased by his best friend and loving wife, Edna (Flores) Milinowicz; his parents, Anthony and Geraldine (Gronostajski) Milinowicz; his nephew, Christopher Milinowicz; and his son, Nathan Milinowicz.

Born on September 27, 1948, Tom lived a life rich with curiosity, adventure, and creativity. He loved reading, playing basketball, playing guitar, and writing poetry. His passion for music famously led him to hitchhike from Trenton, New Jersey to the Catskill Mountains to attend the Woodstock Music Festival—after his father refused to lend him the family car.

In early life, summers were often spent at the Jersey Shore in Wildwood, where time was passed on the boardwalk. Tom was known for lending his siblings money once they ran out—always with interest. In 1966, he earned an achievement scholarship to Providence College in Providence, Rhode Island, graduating in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics.

Tom began his career with the FDIC examining banks in 1970. It was an illustrious career that he loved and truly excelled at, spanning 34 dedicated years. During those years he had to close Savings and Loans and work with the FBI in the 80's, learn about oil, how cotton grew and about farming while in TX in the 90's and ensure the banks and their computer systems didn't stop at Y2K! He left behind a legacy of excellence, integrity, and respect from those who worked alongside him—as well as a lot of fond memories and good times. (If you know, you know.)

He first settled in Canaan, New York, where he started a family with his first wife, Linda (McCarthy). His work allowed him to travel extensively across the United States, often bringing his family along on road trips to experience other areas of the country. Hiking, camping and time in nature were deeply important to him, lessons he passed on to his children—though camping in the rain and without showers was not always appreciated by his young and teenage offspring!

Tom’s travels eventually led him to Lubbock, Texas, where he met the love of his life, Edna Flores, and became part of her warm and welcoming family. Their partnership brought deep companionship, joy, and shared adventure, and together they built a life rooted in love, music, and exploration.

Tom’s life journey took him from Trenton, New Jersey to Canaan, New York; Lubbock, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Santa Fe, New Mexico. His love for Colorado began during earlier travels as a teen with his Aunt Norine, when he fell in love with the state’s beauty—the Rocky Mountains, Royal Gorge, and the Black Canyon. After moving to Colorado with Edna, Tom fully embraced hiking and climbed many of the "14'ers" in the Rocky Mountains and came close to completing the Colorado Trail.

An avid collector, Tom surrounded himself with books, art, coins, rocks and gemstones, knives, and photographs. He was especially passionate about nature photography. The family joke was that he took more pictures of dead trees and waterfalls than of people. He loved a good happy hour, concerts, art shows, and interesting exhibits, always in search of something new and meaningful. Brilliant in math and science yet a hippie at heart, Tom embodied an eclectic spirit filled with poetry, music, and wonder.

Though deeply saddened by his passing, Tom’s family finds comfort in imagining him at happy hour with the friends and family he has lost, reunited with Edna by his side—sipping margaritas, sharing stories, and climbing endless mountains together once again.