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Of Arlington Heights
Thomas S. O’Donoghue, 84, of Arlington Heights died October 12, 2011. He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 60 years, Marie J. (nee Kroger) and his children Tom Jr. (June), Bill (Stephanie), Mark (Cheryl), Jean Marie Dexter (Greg), James (Patricia), Timothy (Christine), Maureen Kelly (Scott); grandchildren Patrick, Matthew, Catherine, Shannon, Zachary, Brenna, Jennifer Dexter, Ryan Dexter, Michael, Connor, Dillon, Emily, Meghan, Caitlin, Kayley Kelly, and Kerry Kelly; dear brother Dr. John B. O’Donoghue, Jr. and Helen Ermeling; brother-in-law of Celeste (nee Kroger) Dick Bonin, Joseph and Mary Kay Kroger, Jeanne Marie Ryan (nee Kroger) and Jack Kroger and fond uncle of numerous nephews and nieces.
Thomas was born January 19, 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in
Rogers Park and Lake Forest, Illinois. He graduated from Loyola Academy
in 1944, graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1948 with a
degree in chemistry. During college, he served a short stint as a radio
operator for the U.S. Navy. In 1960, Tom founded TODCO Chemical Co.,
later called TODCO Industries, applying his knowledge of chemicals and
his skills of communication to build a company, which provided custom
cleaning solutions for the metal finishing industry. He was active in
numerous industry associations including the Porcelain Enamel Institute
and American Electroplaters Society. Over the years, the company also
developed products to solve unique cleaning challenges such as the
restoration of marble surfaces in Union Station and safe maintenance
products for cleaning the cage areas at zoos. For many years, Tom
provided entertainment and tender thoughts expressed through poems he
wrote to commemorate special occasions such a birthday, baptism,
wedding, graduation or holiday. His work “Notre Dame Spirit” was
published and sold through the Notre Dame bookstore as a commemorative
plaque shortly after his 50th reunion.
Tom raised his family in several suburbs of Chicago, including Rogers
Park, Bellwood, Lincolnwood, Lake Geneva, WI and Glenview before
settling in for an extended period in Prospect Heights. His outdoor
hobby and enjoyment was a game of golf at links such as Evanston Country
Club and Big Foot Country Club. He introduced his family to the game by
handing them a starter set of clubs with the admonition to “keep your
eye on the ball.”
He gave back in many ways beyond his family and business. These
included, the Knights of Columbus, alderman for the City of Prospect
Heights, Trustee of the Prospect Heights Fire Prevention District,
Trustee of the parish of St. Alphonsus Ligouri parish (Prospect
Heights), Trustee of St. Francis de Sales Parish (Lake Geneva, WI) and
numerous volunteer roles with parent organizations supporting his
children’s activities.
Visitation will be held from 3:00pm to 8:00pm on Monday, October 17,
2011 at the Glueckert Funeral Home, Ltd., 1520 N. Arlington Heights Rd.,
Arlington Heights (4 blocks south of Palatine Rd.). Prayers will be at
9:15am on Tuesday, October 18, 2011 at the Glueckert Funeral Home
followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00am at St. Alphonsus Ligouri, 411 N.
Wheeling Road, Prospect Heights. Interment private at All Saints
Cemetery, Des Plaines. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Prospect
Heights Fire Protection District, General Fund, 10 E. Camp McDonald Rd.,
Prospect Heights, IL 60070 would be appreciated.
Glueckert Funeral Home
(847) 253-0168
1520 North Arlington Heights Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004