Obituary of Thomas John Sees Jr.

Thomas J. Sees, Sr. a long time resident of Grosse Pointe Farms died on January 20, 2021 age 77. He was born on September 16, 1943 to John and Helen (nee Connelly) Sees in Philadelphia, PA. He was the second child of four boys. Tom graduated from Father Judge High in Philadelphia, PA in 1961 and from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA in 1971 (Bachelor Degree) and 1976 (Masters in Business Administration). He completed pre-doctoral studies at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI. Tom worked at Drexel University in Philadelphia from 1962 to 1985 in the Office of the Registrar. He was Associate Registrar at Drexel when he was offered the position of Registrar at Wayne State University in Detroit. Tom retired from Wayne State in 2003 as Associate Vice President for Student Affairs. Tom met Sandy (Sandra) Fisher at Drexel University in 1963. They married in 1966 and have two children; Sandy Marie born in 1967 and Tom Jr. born in 1970. In 1968 they moved from Philadelphia to New Jersey so their children would have some "open space" to play. In 1985 they bought their home in Grosse Pointe Farms. Tom and Sandy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Savannah, Georgia. Tom enjoyed their family tradition (reunions) with his family each Thanksgiving starting in 2010 at Disneyworld, 2011 in Cancun, 2012 in Ireland and on a Caribbean Cruise in 2013 to St. Thomas and St. Maarten., Turks and Caicos in 2014 and another Caribbean Cruise in 2015. Continuing with Punta Cana in 2016, The Bahamas in 2017, Disney Cruise in 2018, and a Western Caribbean Cruise in 2019. These reunions included Tom and Sandy; his daughter Sandy Marie McGuire (Jim Selfridge) and her two children Shannon Marie McGuire and Gregory James McGuire Jr. His son Tom Jr. (Mollie Sees) and their two daughters Megan Rose (Cortez Hunter) and Erin Michelle also enjoyed these reunions. Tom loved to travel with his life long friend and spouse, Sandy. They vacationed in Hawaii, Ireland, Italy, Greece and the Greek Isles, Mexico, South America, the Bahamas and the Eastern and Western Caribbean and throughout the United States of America. Tom served in the USAF ANG in PA from 1964 thru 1975. He was a TSGT in Human Resources. He loved the military, but family commitments made it necessary for him to resign from the service in 1975. He regretted that decision even to the day he died. He could tell some real interesting stories about his flight to Panama with the PaANG. Tom was also very active in his community. In New Jersey he was a volunteer fire fighter and emergency medical tech on the Sewell Ambulance Corp. He also served as Mantua Township Planning Board Secretary, Gloucester County Planning Authority co-chair, Zoning Board Officer, President of the Sewell Fire Company and President of the Mantua Township Fire Association. He also taught catechism classes at Our Lady Queen of Peace in Pitman, N.J. In Michigan, Tom was active in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks serving as the Exalted Ruler in 2008-09, Secretary from 2009-2011 and Trustee from 2012 to 2014. Tom joined the Knights of Columbus in New Jersey in 1971 and transferred to Our Lady Star of the Sea Council 7780 in Michigan in 2002. On March 5, 2011 Tom was granted the Fourth degree of the Knights of Columbus. He served as the Knights of Columbus Financial Secretary since 2010. In 2012 Tom joined the Senior Mens Club of Grosse Pointe. For several years Tom also served as a Tax Aide Volunteer for AARP. Tom and Sandy also served as Secretary Couple in The Villagers, a dinner-dance group of about 100 couples. Tom was awarded Outstanding Elk Officer of the Year award in 2010-2011 and honorary member of Phi Beta Delta International Scholars in 2000. Tom is survived by his wife Sandy, his son Tom (Mollie), his daughter Sandy Marie McGuire (Jim Selfridge) and four grandchildren; Megan Rose (Cortez), Erin Michelle, Shannon Marie and Gregory James. Tom is also survived by his younger brother William (Will) Sees Sr. (Cathy). Tom is pre-deceased by his parents, his son-in-law Gregory James McGuire Sr. and his older brother Jack and younger brother Francis X. Sees, Sr., his sister in law Mary, and his many beloved nieces and nephews. Toms memorial mass service will be held at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic Church Friday, January 22, 2021 and interment will be in the columbarium at the church in the spring of 2021.