Thomas T. Kokocinski

Of Arlington Heights

 

Thomas T. Kokocinski was born March 3, 1938 in Chicago to Alexander and Adeline (nee Domek) Kokocinski.  He died October 15, 2008 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights.

 

Tom spent all his working life in the General Aviation industry.  He was one of the lucky ones; his work was his passion. His career began with Butler Aviation at O’Hare Airport which spanned over 30 years.  He began as a bench technician repairing Avionics equipment and very quickly became a department head and then a Manager of the Avionics and Maintenance departments for five bases.  After Butler he worked with Priester Aviation at Palwaukee Airport in Wheeling, Illinois.  He immensely enjoyed working with Charlie Priester, an icon in the general aviation business.  When the business climate changed he went to work with AAR, (Allen Aircraft Radio) as the General Manager of their large Avionics repair facility in Wood Dale, Illinois, from which he eventually retired from the Aviation business.

 

Tom was a Vice President of long standing with the AEA, an Avionics Electronics Association; plus, he was a member of the elite organization INA, (International Navigation Association). He also spent many years as a member of the esteemed Knights of Columbus.

 

His love of aviation was only surpassed by his love of family.  His grandparents, Elizabeth (Nonny) and Thomas; his parents, Adeline and Alexander; his children Julie and Pamela; his wonderful grandchildren Michelle, Thomas and Kimberly, and his loving wife Jennifer.

 

Thomas is survived by his wife Jennifer (nee Royer) Kokocinski, whom he married May 10, 1980; his children Julie (James) Healy and Pamela (John) Jaresko; his grandchildren Michelle, Thomas and Kimberly; and by his brother Michael Hatch.

 

He is preceded in death by a brother Dennis Kokocinski and by his parents.

 

Visitation from 3 until 9 PM, Monday, October 20, 2008 at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd., (4 blocks south of Palatine Rd.) Arlington Heights.  Prayers 8:45 AM, Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., to Our Lady of the Wayside Church, 440 S. Mitchell, Arlington Heights for Mass at 9:30 AM.  Burial at St. Michael the Archangel  Cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to: American Cancer Society, 1114 N. Arlington Heights Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60004.