Thomas Charles Perzynski

Thomas Charles Perzynski Guitarist, singer, bicyclist, and beloved man, Thomas “Tom” Perzynski, age 74 of Toledo, Ohio died peacefully this past Saturday, August 22nd, 2026, at home in Old Orchard. Tom was born the third of five children to his parents Theodore and Dorothy Perzynski (Szymaniak) on September 22, 1951. He grew up in the Kuschwantz Polish neighborhood in Toledo, and he graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School in 1969. During his studies at the University of Toledo, he met Kathleen Louise (1953 to 2020), his soulmate, and they were married in New Riegel near the Raitz family farm on September 7th, 1973. Soon after their marriage, he became a licensed social worker and completed his Master of Social Work degree on scholarship at St. Louis University. Across more than three decades as a social worker, Tom’s passion for helping others and making a better world extended into his career serving children at the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas, persons living with mental illness at the Hancock County Mental Health Center, patients and families at Northwest Ohio Hospice, and working people via an employee assistance service. His gentle optimism and creative encouragement brought guidance, harmony and comfort to many people who were in a time of need. On Sundays, for three decades, Tom sang harmoniously beside his wife Kathy as a member of the Folk Choir at the Blessed Sacrament Parish Community in West Toledo. He also served as a volunteer usher at the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle for a decade. Tom was a bicycling enthusiast, an active participant at the (former) International Boxing Club of Toledo, a member of the Lourdes University Classical Guitar Ensemble, and was a longtime member of the Pyrotechnics Guild International. He loved his family and friends, cherished his nieces and nephews, and adored his grandchildren. Tom and Kathy hosted German exchange students and enjoyed travel adventures to Europe and regular visits to the Grand Canyon and other locations in the Western United States. Tom enjoyed making the family’s secret recipe of homemade kielbasa with his brothers and nephews and loved to share a year’s supply with as many friends and family as possible. His family and friends remember him as being one of the most compassionate and joyful humans to walk the earth. Tom was insightful, devout, caring and always able to make us laugh, even if the jokes weren’t very good. He is survived by his children Adam (Kristen), Rita (Brian), and Maureen; grandchildren Holly, Sophie, Edward, Theodore, Paul, and Oscar; his brothers Tony (Susan), Chuck (Luann), and sisters Mary (Denny) and Margie; and his angel and loving partner, Jane. His family appreciates the care, love and support given to him by so many from the healthcare and nursing community, family, and friends. The family requests contributions in his honor be directed to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at https://www.michaeljfox.org/ . Friends are invited to visit from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Ansberg-West Funeral Home, 3000 Sylvania Avenue. Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Pius Church and will be available for viewing via a livestreaming link for those not able to attend. He will be interred at Calvary Cemetery.

Thomas Charles Perzynski

September 22, 1951 - August 22, 2026