Thomas Shimek

Tom Shimek, 53, died peacefully, serenely, of pancreatic cancer on Jan. 7, 2013. Tom met his wife, the former Ellen Rabideau, just days before she graduated from high school and bought her a bottle of champagne as a graduation gift. They married in 1984, celebrating every day of life because they got to live it together. Tom and Ellen became the parents of Elizabeth (Beth), William (Will) and Benjamin (Ben). "I'm proud of all my children," Tom would quietly, matter-of-factly say. They were proud of him, too.

Tom was born and raised in Green Bay, graduating from Green Bay East and then from UW-Stevens Point with a degree in forestry. In 1992, he was head-hunted by Ellen's mom, Doris Rabideau, to work for Old School Cleaning, the company founded by Doris and the late Jerry Rabideau. Soon after, Tom and Ellen bought the business, but Tom made sure that his mom-law knew she had an office job as long as she wanted one.

"He was honored to take care of our wonderful Old School customers," says Ellen. "Tom took pride in taking care of others." The Old School family will carry on in that same Old School tradition.

Tom sometimes seemed quiet but then he would get that Tom twinkle in his eye. He would say something—the perfect something—and crack up the entire room. His wry sense of humor was never unkind. He loved camping with his kids, bowling with his buddies, working the grill for any party, and quiet time with his family. And he loved the Packers, of course, listening to the last great game even as he began to slip away.

Tom was the son of the late William and Doris Shimek. In addition to his wife and children, survivors include his dear stepmom Pat Shimek, and brothers Bob, Mark (wife Carol and sons Tony and Alex) and Brad (wife Vicki) and sister, Barbara (husband Bill Voltmer.) He enjoyed Ellen's big family—Ellen has 11 brothers and sisters—and generations of nieces and nephews. That said, he famously coined the phrase "all-Rabideaued-out" when he had a little too much family time.

A memorial gathering will be held from 4:00pm until 8:00pm on Friday, January 11, 2013 at Newcomer Funeral Home, 430 S. Monroe Ave. Green Bay.

"I wonder if chocolate is even better in heaven."