Leo Competes at the IHSA Class 1-A Sectional Track and Field Meet at Hope Academy

By Dan McGrath

Senior Jesse Howard won two events and junior Venson Jones was a three-event state qualifier as the Leo Lions placed second in the IHSA Class 1-A Sectional track and field meet at Hope Academy on May 21.

Host-school Hope swept the sprint relays and won the meet with 144 points to Leo’s 124.5. But, with the top two finishers in each event qualifying, the Lions will be well represented at the state meet at Eastern Illinois University on May 29-31, with five athletes competing in eight events.

They are:
* Howard, who won the shot put with a throw of 49 feet, 11 ¾ inches, and the discus with a heave of 112-11.

* Jones, who won the long jump with a best effort of 21 feet, 8 ¾ inches and placed second in the high jump at 5-5 ¾. Jones also finished third in the triple jump, behind Omari Lee of Fenger and Andrew Milissis of Northridge Prep, but he surpassed the state-meet qualifying standard of 41 feet, 2 inches by jumping 41-6 ½, so he will compete at Eastern.

* Freshman Steve Gordon, who won the high jump at 5-feet-7 ¾.

* Senior Lordan Black, who placed second in the 110-meter hurdles in 16.27 seconds.

* Freshman Cam’ron Thomas, who finished second in the pole vault at 8 feet 6 ¼ inches.

“The conditions weren’t ideal – cold, wet, windy – but we competed, and it was a good showing,” said Ed Adams, Leo’s veteran Hall of Fame track coach.

In addition to the state qualifiers, Leo’s point total came from 10 of the sectional meet’s 18 events:

* Pole vault – Vandell Dudley 3rd place, 8 feet, 6 ¼ inches;
* 4-by-100-meter relay, 3rd place (Amir Adams, Marcus Reddick, Jaivon Dale, Jubril Kannicke), :47.26;
* 4-by-200-meter relay, 4th place (Vandell Dudley, Jordan Watkins, David Maldonado, Amir Adams), 1:40.43;
* 4-by-800-meter relay, 4th place (Dudley, Watkins, Keion Long, Maldonado), 9:25.69;
* 100-meter dash – Chase Jordan 4th, :11.52, Amir Adams 7th, :11.66;
* 110-meter hurdles – Ayden Bright 4th. :17.79;
* 300-meter hurdles – Bright 3rd, :45.17, Black 6th, :48.57;
* Triple jump – Kyriell Pierce 5th. 36 feet 9 inches;
* Discus – Carlin Henry 6th, 107 feet 7 inches;
* 1,600 meters – Cam’ron Thomas 7th, 5:21.17.

Hope’s coach is Marcus Pass, a 2004 Leo graduate who was an assistant track coach and head cross country coach for the Lions before moving to Hope, where he heads up the men’s and women’s track and cross country programs.

Dr. Shaka Rawls

By Dan McGrath

That’s Doctor Rawls, if you please.

On Wednesday, March 6, Leo Principal Shaka Rawls defended “Watching the Asphalt Grow,” the dissertation he prepared to complete his doctoral degree in Urban Educational Policy from the University of Illinois-Chicago.

The topic covered the effect school closings and consolidation during Mayor  Rahm Emanuel’s administration had on the Woodlawn neighborhood of Mr. Rawls’ youth. A panel of doctorate-level UIC educators reviewed the manuscript, then questioned Mr. Rawls about the project rather pointedly while viewing a slide-show presentation he prepared to highlight his findings.

After roughly a half-hour of deliberations, the panelists summoned him back to the room and gave him a bell to ring, acknowledging their acceptance of the dissertation and his elevation to Dr. Shaka Rawks, Ed.D.

“Finally,” he said as family, friends and Leo colleagues congratulated him. And after the party adjourned to a conference room, the world-renowned Leo Choir performed a celebratory three-song set.

“We are incredibly proud of Dr. Rawls,” Leo President Dan McGrath said. “For as much time and energy and effort as he puts into our young men at Leo, it’s remarkable that he could rise to the highest level an educator can reach by completing a very demanding degree. It speaks to his commitment.”

As Dr. Rawls made his rounds at Leo on Friday morning, each classroom he entered greeted him with a standing ovation.

“This for you guys,” he told his Leo students. “I come from where you come from, I’m one of you. And if I can do something like this, so can you. Aim high and stick with it.”

UIC wasted no time putting its latest honoree to work. Dr. Rawls has accepted an invitation to be the keynote speaker at UIC’s Black Excellence Graduation Celebration on Saturday, May 4.

“You are an ideal choice to send our graduates into the world with words of celebration, encouragement and wisdom,” UIC Administrator Cynthia Blair said in extending the invitation. “You will give our seniors much-needed perspective and inspiration as they look ahead to life after graduation.”

A Very Big Week for Our Leo Choir

By Dan McGrath

The Leo High School Choir enhanced their “world-renowned” reputation and solidified their status as the school’s best ambassadors with two bravura performances over a five-day span.

Over spring break, the Choir flew to Los Angeles to audition for “America’s Got Talent.” Their audition aired on the Tuesday, June 10 edition of the popular program, and a national television audience saw and heard a powerful, upbeat, skillfully synchronized performance of “Born for This.”

So powerful was the performance, in fact, that all four judges, including the famously acerbic Simon Cowell, moved the Choir on to the next round of competition. Cowell was effusive in his praise of Mrs. LaDonna Hill, the peerless director, whose knowledge, talent and passion infuses every Choir performance.

They’ll be back in Los Angeles in August for Round 2.

On Saturday, June 14, the Choir was invited to perform at the Archdiocese of Chicago’s celebration of Pope Leo XIV’s Chicago roots at Rate Field, home of the White Sox. Word of their AGT appearance must have spread, because they were greeted with high-volume cheers before they’d sung a note. As they made their way to their seats after a three-song set that included the National Anthem, hundreds of well-wishers greeted them, congratulated them and thanked them for a sparkling performance.

They were also summoned to the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s box for a congratulatory visit.

The whirlwind tour moves to Wrigley Field this Thursday, June 19. The Cubs are acknowledging Juneteenth, and the Choir will sing the National Anthem and “Lift Every Voice” before a 1:20 p.m. game against the Milwaukee Brewers. 

A crowd of 40,000 is expected. After a national TV appearance and another before a stadium full house, it’s just another day at the office for a world-renowned Choir, the best ambassadors Leo has. 

Major Gen. William J. Walker ’75 (USA-ret.), Grand Marshall, Chicago’s Memorial Day Parade

By Dan McGrath

Major General William J. Walker (USA-ret.), who graduated from Leo in 1975, served as Grand Marshall of the city’s downtown Memorial Day Observance on Saturday, May 24.

Joined by Illinois Senator Dick Durbin, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, the 484th Army band and representatives from each branch of the U.S. military, General Walker spoke before a wreath-laying ceremony in Daley Plaza.

“It’s an honor to be with you on this solemn day,” he said. “Throughout our country’s history, Chicago has always answered the call.”

Describing himself as “a proud son of the South Side,” General Walker cited the education he received at St. Sabina and at Leo as the foundation for the success he has achieved in his career.

“At Leo Catholic I learned the meaning of ‘Facta non Verba,’ and it has been one of the guiding principles of my life,” he said.

Memorial Day, he acknowledged, is a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.

“Grief never leaves us, but it must not paralyze us,” General Walker said.

Our sense of loss, he added, should be tempered by appreciation for the sacrifice of those who died and a determination to maintain the freedom they fought to preserve.

“Freedom is not free – it’s not just a slogan, it’s reality,” General Walker said. “Freedom must be preserved, not by words, but by action. We must defend the ideals that so many died to preserve.”

General Walker is one of Leo’s most accomplished alumni. Before retiring from the Army in 2021 he was Commandant for all National Guard operations in Washington, D.C. As such he was responsible for putting down the insurrection that occurred at the U.S. Capitol when President Trump’s followers tried to block Congress from certifying Joe Biden as the nation’s duly elected President.

After he left the Army, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi hired General Walker to be Sergeant-at-Arms for the U.S. House of Representatives. He was the first African American to serve in that role, and he held it until Republicans reclaimed the House in the 2024 election.

General Walker is a proud member of the Leo Hall of Fame. He was named Alumni Association Man of the Year in 2019 and received the Andy McKenna Leo Lions Legacy Award at Leo’s sixth annual Scholarship Benefit in 2021.

A poster highlighting General Walker’s career and his ties to Leo is on prominent display on the back wall of the Leo cafeteria.

“Leo illuminated me,” he said.

“He is currently the director of Security for Allied Security Systems Worldwide.

And his Memorial Day speech was as beautiful as it was powerful.

Coach Schab Day

By Dan McGrath

Few men, if any, have had greater impact on the young men of Leo High School than Robert A. “Bob” Schablaske – or “Coach Schab” to his legions of admirers as a social studies/theology teacher and basketball/baseball coach.

He spent 27 years at Leo, and it’s fair to say that everyone he encountered came away with a “Coach Schab” story. The common denominator: an uncommon determination and matching ability to inspire maximum effort from and provide meaningful enjoyment for those in his charge, in the classroom or on the basketball court or baseball field.

“Coach Schab was my favorite coach ever,” said Staff Sgt. James Fagan USMC, who was the Lions’ top pitcher in 2012-13.

After surviving a liver transplant, Coach Schab succumbed to a heart attack in January 2019, at the height of a brutal polar vortex. He was 64. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him” has been a common refrain among his many friends in the six years  since.

So at the behest of former coaching colleagues Anthony Rappold and John Arvetis ’69, Leo’s baseball game with De La Salle on Saturday, May 17 was designated “Coach Schab Day.” The largest Kroc Center crowd of the season included many of Schab’s friends, former players and family members.

His brother Mike and wife Karin drove over from Rockford and were presented with a plaque and a “Coach Schab” Leo baseball jersey. The Schablaske family presented Leo with a generous check for the school’s Scholarship Fund.

“When I think of the word ‘coach’ I immediately think of our dear friend,” Rappold said. “Every ounce of his being was teaching and coaching. His dedication to his student/athletes was second to none.”

Mike Zunica is De La Salle’s current president, but part of his tenure as St. Rita’s baseball coach coincided with Coach Schab’s time at Leo.

“I considered Coach Schablaske one of the greatest coaches in Catholic League history,” Zunica said. “His love for the game and his kids was authentic and admirable. I will always cherish the fond memories I have of Bob Schablaske and his Leo Lions.”

A Leo High School graduation is a ceremony unlike any other

By President Dan McGrath

A Leo High School graduation, it’s often said, is a ceremony unlike any other.

And this year’s, for the Class of 2025 held at St. Margaret of Scotland on Sunday, May 11, fit that description.

The stately old church was filled to capacity as 49 young men made the transition from Leo student to Leo alumnus, giving our school 13 consecutive years of 100 percent graduation. The world-renowned Leo Choir performed two songs, including a customized version of “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now” that had the audience on their feet.

The energy level was high at the start and grew higher as each speaker congratulated the graduates on their achievement and encouraged them to use their preparation and be confident and strong as they take on the world ahead.

“I know I yelled at you a lot,” said Leo’s Principal, Dr. Shaka Rawls,” but I was looking out for you. I wanted you to be ready for what awaits you today and from this day forward.

“And I believe you are.”

Indeed, confidence in themselves and an appreciation of each other helped form the bond that made the Class of 2025 particularly close. That appreciation was evident in the enthusiasm with which they greeted each graduate who was recognized. 

Aiden Lott, 2025 valedictorian, thanked the Leo administration, faculty, staff and coaches for “always having our back and showing us the right way to do things.” Lott, who graduated with a GPA above 4.0, is headed for Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo on an academic scholarship.

Shane Shambley, the salutatorian, recalled highlights of the previous four years and thanked the Leo staff and the graduates’ parents for the strong foundation they provided. Shambley will attend the University of Memphis.

Gavin Donald is the recipient of a $10,000 scholarship from the Arose Foundation, his entry deemed best of the more than 400 submitted. Donald will use the scholarship toward his tuition at Jackson State University. 

In addition, 10 graduates were honored for proficiency in various academic subjects, as well as citizenship and leadership.

Nick Armour, the William J. Kolosieke Award for athletics
Joshua Clark, the Bishop John R. Gorman Gold Medal for religion
Keith Smith, the Michael L. Thompson Gold Medal for music
Scott Millsaps, the Donald R. Flynn Gold Medal for history
Carlin Henry, the Dr. James J. Ahern Gold Medal for science
Aiden Lott, the Thomas and Mary Owens Gold Medal for math
Joshua Smith, the Stafford L. Hood Gold Medal for English
Kshawn Moore, the Br. James Glos Gold Medal for foreign language
Javon Logan, the Frank W. Considine Gold Medal for social justice
Lordan Black, the Andrew McKenna Gold Medal for leadership.

In what has become a highlight of the ceremony, English Dept. Chair Titus Redmond had each senior prepare a Mother’s Day poem for his mother. After Joshua Smith, Kshawn Moore and Marshawn Durr read their poems from the podium, the graduates presented their poems to their moms in a highly emotional exercise. 

The new graduates brought the total of Leo alumni in the house to more than 100. Following the presentation of their diplomas, they were all summoned to the front of the church for another Leo tradition: a rousing rendition of the Leo Fight Song, with the Class of 2025 leading.

Leo graduation: A ceremony unlike any other.

And it never gets old. 

A Pope from Chicago’s South Side is historic

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/video/leo-catholic-high-school-students-alumni-held-prayer-service-honoring-new-pontiff/?intcid=CNM-00-10abd1h#x

A Pope from Chicago’s South Side named Leo requires Leo High School to take action, in honor of our namesake, Pope Leo XIII, whom new Pope Leo XIV cited in explaining the name he picked when he became the surprise choice to succeed the late Pope Francis as head of the Catholic Church last week.

So we held a Prayer Service at Leo in the new Pope’s honor on Monday, May 12. 

Mrs. Lydia Tabernacki and Mr. Daniel Ridges from the Theology Department put the service together. School President Dan McGrath explained that Leo, when it opened in 1926, was named for Pope Leo XIII, who is remembered as a champion for human rights, civil rights and the rights of working people.

“Throughout its history, Leo has shared his commitment to justice, fairness and the dignity of all people,” McGrath said. “Pope Leo XIV’s presence at the head of the Church will be a daily reminder that we here at Leo must honor that commitment, always.”

The world-renowned Leo Choir performed two songs, twins Stephen and Stephan Jackson read passages from scripture, and Father Michael Pfleger delivered an inspirational, high-energy message to Leo’s students:

“If a boy from the South Side of Chicago can grow up to become one of the most powerful figures in the world, boys who are currently growing up on the South Side should follow his example by setting their goals high and never be dissuaded from achieving them,” Father Pfleger said.

“Pope Leo is what they call an influencer, already one of the top 10 influencers in the world,” Father Pfleger added. “And he has Creole-Haitian blood, so he’s a brother! From the South Side of Chicago!

“So what are you young brothers from the South Side of Chicago gonna do?” 

Dr. Shaka Rawls, Leo’s Principal, cited the Pope as an example of a man’s determination to be all he can be despite daunting odds — in more than 2,000 years, no American had ever been elected Pope before.

“I’m not saying anyone in this room can become Pope,” Dr. Rawls said. “But anyone in this room can achieve greatness once they decide what they want to do and lock in on it.”

The service drew a great deal of media attention, with each Chicago TV station filing a story. Junior Stephen Jackson is from Dolton, the same town where Pope Leo XIV grew up as Bobby Prevost.

“It’s really inspiring to me that a man from the town where I live can become one of the most important people in the world,” Stephen told Fox Chicago’s Joanie Lum. “It helps me believe I can do something great with my life, and it makes me want to.” 

2025 Graduation Week activities

Gavin Donald was the star of the show as Leo’s Class of 2025 kicked off Graduation Week activities with the Senior Luncheon at Maggiano’s Downtown Restaurant on Wednesday, April 30.

The Senior Prom is scheduled for the downtown Willis Tower on Friday, May 2. The Class will graduate at St. Margaret of Scotland Church on Sunday, May 11 – Mother’s Day.

In “Senior Superlative” voting by his classmates, Donald was recognized for understanding the meaning of friendship, for his “beacon of light” positive attitude, for being the best-dressed member of the class and for being most likely to take over as principal of Leo High School.

A product of St. Sabina Academy, Donald has been an honor student, a class officer and a four-year football player at Leo. He also received a $2,500 Marquette Bank award for scholarship, leadership and citizenship, which he will use toward tuition at Jackson State University.

With well over 100 graduates, family members and Leo staffers in the audience, the Class of 2025 recognized Marshawn Durr and Joshua Smith twice. Durr, who played football, baseball and basketball at Leo, shared the Best Athlete award with Neil Anderson and was cited as most likely to become a coach.

His classmates see medical education in Joshua Smith’s future; he was voted most likely to become a doctor and most likely to become a teacher. Nick Armour, all-conference in football, wrestling and track, was cited as most likely to turn pro.

Carlin Henry was recognized for being accepted to 14 colleges, while the $800,000 offered Aiden Lott  in scholarship assistance was another superlative. Kaleb Larry was deemed most likely to become a political leader, and social media maven Shane Shambley most likely to become an “influencer.”

Keith Smith, one of the lead voices in the world-renowned Leo Choir, was cited as most likely to win a Grammy, and Ryan “CJ” Cunningham was voted best dancer.

On Thursday, May 1, 29 seniors made their college choices known in a “signing day” ceremony in the Leo gym, and NBC Chicago was hear to tell the story. Chicago’s Roosevelt University and Jackson State, an HBCU in Mississippi and alma mater of Walter Payton, were the big winners, landing three Lions apiece. https://www.nbcchicago.com/local-2/leo-high-school-celebrates-academic-excellence-on-decision-day/3735783/

Another dozen or more graduates are awaiting word on financial assistance before declaring a college choice.

The list:

Derrion Anderson: Alabama A&M
Neil Anderson: Triton College
Nick Armour: Bowie (Md.) State
Lordan Black: Northern Illinois
Rashard Cerant: Northern Illinois
Joshua Clark: U.S. Air Force enlistee
Ryan Cunningham: Northern Michigan
Gavin Donald: Jackson State
Kam’ron Dove: Roosevelt University
Ian Dunn: Clark Atlanta
Marshawn Durr: Jackson State
Daniel Gamble: Purdue Northwest
Tyshaun Glenn: Wilberforce (Ohio)
Jayden Hart: Olive Harvey College
Carlin Henry: Eastern Illinois
Jesse Howard: UIC
Daniel Jackson: Arrupe College
Jaquan Jackson: St. Xavier
Makai Jackson: SIU Carbondale
Ryan Kilgore: DePaul
Kaleb Larry: Penn State
Aiden Lott: Cal Poly SLO
Justin Murphy: Lincoln (Mo.)
Khaliq Rhazaak: Roosevelt University
Xavier Robinson: Jackson State
Shane Shambley: University of Memphis
Joshua Smith: Xavier (New Orleans)
Christian Whiteside: Vincennes University
Tyler Wilcox: Roosevelt University

As our 100th year approaches, the Leo Alumni Banquet continues to pack ’em in

As Leo’s 100-year anniversary approaches, the Leo Alumni Banquet continues to pack ‘em in.

A capacity crowd of more than 400 filled the main ballroom of the Chateau del Mar in Hickory Hills for this year’s event, held on Friday, April 25. The group included some 50 members of the Class of 1975, celebrating their 50-year anniversary. 

Their class spokesman was John Caponera, a Canaryville product from St. Gabriel who makes his living as a stand-up comedian. Mixing anecdotes from his days as a Leo baseball player and band member with material that gets him regular work in Las Vegas and on cruise ships, Caponera delivered a routine that was somewhat  … unusual for the occasion but seemed well-received nonetheless.

The 60-year Class of 1965 was also well-represented, a tribute to Man of the Year Ray Siegel ’65, who was unable to attend as he recovers from shoulder surgery necessitated in part by his days as an All-Catholic League lineman for the Leo football team.

Dr. Jim Stankiewicz ’66, the Alumni Association Man of the Year in 2023, accepted for Ray and directed his remarks toward the younger alums in the audience, urging them to follow Ray’s generous lead and get more involved with Leo, in particular with fundraising efforts that will sustain the school’s viability into a second century. 

Larry Lynch ’75, longtime Alumni Association contributor, received the Doc Driscoll Award for above-and-beyond service to Leo. The late Tom Krull ’69 was the Community Service Award recipient, in recognition of his efforts to promote Special Olympics through his work at the Chicago Park District. Tom’s son Eric accepted for him.

The late Mike Lux ’62 headed a six-member Hall of Fame class. An All-Catholic League quarterback and a lightweight basketball standout at Leo, Mike was cited for his extensive involvement with youth sports dating to his days as a DePaul University student. Brother George Lux ’54 and son Mike Jr. accepted for Mike, who died in 2019.

Dave Wetzel ’74, Mike Arrigoni ’76, Pat Barry ’85, Terrence Cook ’94 and Shelvin Payne ’96 were the other Hall of Fame inductees. 

It was, no surprise, a productive night for Leo, as Class Captain John Gardner presented President Dan McGrath and Principal Dr. Shaka Rawls with a check for $21,975 in Class of ’75 donations earmarked for the Leo Scholarship Fund. In addition, Mike Carroll ’74 delivered a check for $5,000, Leo’s share of proceeds from a benefit golf tournament the Carroll Family Foundation staged last summer to raise money for cancer research and other charities. 

No self-respecting Leo event ends without an enthusiastic rendition of the Leo fight song. Terry Earner ’76, the first of six Earner brothers to attend Leo, took the lead this year, inheriting the mantle from his dad Gene Earner ’50, who was the Fight Song maestro for many years.

Finally, a dozen or so members of the Class of ’75 and several spouses came to Leo for a tour on Saturday morning, some of them visiting the building for the first time since they graduated. They displayed an Alcatraz-like fascination with the jug room, which has been much more constructively repurposed as the music room, home to the world-renowned Leo Choir.

Parade Rest? No Way

By Dan McGrath

Leo was in such demand at the South Side Irish Parade that it sent two delegations to this year’s event, which marched down Western Avenue in the West Beverly neighborhood on Sunday March 16.

The chilly weather and occasional snow might have held down the crowd some, but no one from Leo complained, or even noticed. We were too busy acknowledging the “My dad went to Leo!” or “My grandpa went to “Leo!” cheers that greet us from the audience every year.

“We have a ton of alums in the general area of the parade, and it’s great for us to reconnect with our roots,” Leo President Dan McGrath said. “The kids always feel welcome. They enjoy it as much as the old-timers … present company included.”

The Big Shoulders Fund was featured as grand marshall of this year’s event. Leo, as a Big Shoulders school, was honored to provide more than a dozen students to march with the Big Shoulders contingent at the very front of the parade.

Further back, a delegation of 30-plus alums, staff, parents, friends and students marched alongside the Leo Alumni Association float, to greetings that were just as enthusiastic as those which greeted the first Leo group.

“All told, we must have had 50 people, which might be our largest group ever,” McGrath said. “The promise of a post-parade lunch didn’t hurt, but I think they would have come anyway.

“This is a good, fun day for everybody. And we really appreciate the opportunity to be involved.”

Rest in Peace Thomas Hayes ’99

The Leo High School Family was saddened to learn of the death of Thomas Hayes ’99, who passed away on March 13, 2025, three days before his 44th birthday.

He is survived by his wife Veronica and three children.

Thomas was one of the most accomplished fighters to emerge from Leo’s storied boxing program, turning pro and compiling a 26-2 record as a heavyweight after an injury cut short his football career at Joliet Junior College. After retiring as a fighter, he opted to share his passion and expertise with aspiring young boxers and had more than 500 under his tutelage as Director of the Chicago Park District’s boxing program.

In fact, he was on his way to conduct a boxing class at the Celtic Boxing Club in Chicago’s Mount Greenwood neighborhood when he was stricken. His car veered off the road and struck a light pole and a cemetery fence. Results of an autopsy are pending, but it is believed he died from a brain aneurysm or a heart attack.

 Thomas Walter Hayes was born on March 16, 1981 in Frankfurt, Germany, while his parents were on active military duty. He grew up on the South Side and graduated from St. Thaddeus Elementary School before moving on to Leo, where football, wrestling and boxing whet his appetite for contact sports.

Mike Joyce was Thomas’ boxing coach at Leo and later managed his professional career.  A skilled trainer himself, Thomas found his greatest fulfillment in mentoring others, sharing his expertise and encouraging their personal growth, which he believed Leo had done for him.

Thomas spent 12 years with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office and attended night school at Chicago State University, earning a degree in criminal justice. He married Veronica Dotson, “the love of his life,” in 2012. They were blessed with three children: Thomas Jr., Carla, and Michael (Mikey).  Thomas considered his family the greatest blessing in his life and he always prioritized their happiness and well being.

A visitation for Thomas will be held at Blake Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W. 103rd Street in Oak Lawn, on Sunday, March 23, from from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. A repast will immediately follow visitation.