Dr. Thomas E. Engel, a revered educator and baseball enthusiast from Hale and Imlay City, Michigan, passed away on Sunday, April 21, 2024. He was 76. Surrounded by his loving family, his passing came after a courageous seven-year battle with Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), a type of cancer that affects the bone marrow.
Born in Saginaw, Michigan, to parents Joyce and Albert E. Engel, Thom experienced the loss of his father at a tender age of seven. His mother later remarried Gino Viola, who became a cherished stepfather to him. The family settled in St. Clair Shores, which is where Thom’s passion for baseball began to flourish.
Thom’s baseball career started in Little League and continued as he became the co-captain of the baseball team at Austin Prep High School. His talent shone through at the University of Detroit, where he played on a nationally ranked team and served as co-captain. His love for the game extended into his adult life as he managed local teams to notable successes, including six national championships with the Detroit Amateur Baseball Federation team.
Academically, Thom was equally accomplished. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Detroit, followed by Master’s and Specialist degrees in Education from Wayne State University. It was here that he met his future wife, Lydia. He later achieved a Doctorate in Education from Western Michigan University in 1989.
Professionally, Thom dedicated himself to education. He started as a teacher at St. Isaac Jogues in St. Clair Shores and went on to become the principal of Assumption Grotto in Detroit and later of St. Anne Elementary School in Warren, where he left a profound impact during his 24-year tenure.
Thom’s interests were not confined to academia and sports. He had a voracious appetite for travel, enjoying cruises and trips to Cancun, and cherished moments at his home on Loon Lake. An avid reader and puzzle enthusiast, Thom also had a green thumb, cultivating a beautiful garden that was a haven of tranquility.
His life touched many, especially the youth he mentored throughout his career. Thom’s ability to remember names and details about people’s lives endeared him to many. His compassionate nature and dedication were vividly illustrated during his final days, as he received numerous messages of gratitude and love from former students and colleagues, reflecting the profound influence he had on their lives.
Thom was a model of integrity and kindness, often bringing laughter to those around him with his clever one-liners. Above all, he was a family man, deeply devoted to his daughter Lisa, whom he supported in all her endeavors, and his wife Lydia, his partner in both life and adventure.
As we remember Thom, we are reminded of his exceptional spirit and enduring legacy. His life’s work in education and his passion for baseball have left indelible marks on many. His family is planning to establish the Dr. Thom Engel Scholarship Fund in his honor, to continue his legacy of supporting education.
Thom is survived by his wife Lydia, daughter Lisa, granddaughters Lauren, JT, and Annie, as well as his sisters Beth, Patrice, Jean, and a large extended family of relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.
Visitation and services will be held at the end of the week, with a mass at St. Anne Catholic Church in Warren, where the community will have a chance to say their goodbyes and celebrate a life well-lived. Thom’s story is not just one of success but also of resilience and relentless positivity, a beacon for all who knew him.
