He was born April 22, 1932, in Dollar Bay, a son of the late George A. and Georgiana (Durand) Rose.

Tom attended grade school in Dollar Bay for six years and then attended St. Ignatius Loyola School for two years, followed by three years at Houghton High School, where he participated in all sports and lettered in football.

After completing high school, Tom joined the Naval Reserves in 1949. In 1950, he joined the United States Air Force serving until 1974. He served in 18 countries and Tan Son NHUT Air Base in Vietnam, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

He received a Certificate of Recognition for his efforts and support with the chapel programs at Hellenikon Air Base, Athens, Greece, 1978 to 1980. He directed Catholic CCD plus many other services.

Tom’s life’s work in the Air Force was as a medic, receiving the Air Force Commendation Medal. He was also awarded the Air Crew Member Badge plus many other awards. Tom retired from the military August 1, 1974.

After retirement, he completed two years of college in the Air Force receiving his B.S. degree in Business Management, graduating in January of 1978. He returned to the states for four years before going back to Greece, working at the Airbase for eight years as a civilian sales rep for Sansui Electronics.

In April of 1991, he returned to Houghton to make his home with his wife, Maria A. Poulis, whom he married August 11, 1957, in Athens, Greece. She passed away July 31, 1999.

Tom was a devoted member of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Houghton, serving as an usher for many years.

He was a life member and past financial secretary of Knights of Columbus Council 13115, and member of Msgr. A.J. Rezek Assembly 0472. He was also a member of the Alfred A. Erickson American Legion Post 186 of Hancock, life member of the DAV of Chassell, life member of the Dollar Bay VFW Post 6028 and was a member of the Houghton High School Alumni.

Tom was an avid coin collector and book reader. He loved to read the USA Today Newspaper and the Daily Mining Gazette. He enjoyed working Sudoku, crossword puzzles, building 3-D puzzles and playing cards with friends.

Bringing in the mail was one of Tom’s highlights of the day. He was quick with a smile and giving $2.00 bills out generously, along with $1.00 coins. He preferred a hug to a hand shake. Tom was a self-taught genealogy expert and a huge fan of the Detroit Tigers.

Besides his parents and wife, Tom was also preceded in death by four brothers, John, Fred, William and Douglas; and seven sisters, Elizabeth, Margaret, Evelyn, Catherine, Eunice, Mary and Patricia.

Tom is survived by his sister, Coletta Rose of Houghton; brother-in-law, Michael Goudge of Quincy Location; special niece and caregiver, Linda (Bill) Hill; grandnephew, William Hill; special grandniece, Tamara Northway; special friends, Rev. Msgr. James A. Kaczmarek, Barbara Robillard and Roger Voldarski; along with eight nieces, six nephews, ten grand-nieces, 20 grand-nephews, several cousins; nieces and nephews in Athens, Greece, and many wonderful friends. He was loved by all who met him.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2016, at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Houghton, with Rev. Fr. John Martignon as celebrant and Rev. Msgr. James A. Kaczmarek as co-celebrant.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, August 29, 2016, at the Jukuri-Antila Funeral Home in Hancock with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Tuesday in the church from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m.

Burial with military rites will be in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Houghton.

Arrangements are being handled by Antila Funeral Service, Inc. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at antilafuneral.com.