Thomas Allen Gaby

Madison-Thomas Allen Gaby age 81 passed away peacefully at St. Mary's Hospital Tuesday, July 12, 2011. Tom was born January 16, 1930 in Edgerton, WI, the oldest son of Thomas and Edna Gaby. He had a younger brother James and sister Betty. He grew up in Platteville and graduated from Platteville H.S. in 1949. During his youth, he worked at the Arcade Bowling Alley in Platteville, WI where he was a manual pin-setter and enjoyed playing pinball and bowling. Tom's passion for bowling continued throughout his life, he bowled in Madison leagues for several years and participated in a number of ABC Bowling Tournaments in Madison and in Columbus, OH in the 60's and 70's.

Tom enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1951 and served during the Korean War, stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage, AK and honorably discharged in 1953. Tom married Nancy Ann Bass, daughter of Guy and Florence Bass (Austin) of Belmont, WI on October 23, 1954 and moved to Madison, WI in 1956. Tom is survived by his sons Jeffrey (wife Nina DeHaven, son Austin) and Peter who both live in the Madison area.

Tom started working with the Milwaukee Road Railroad Company in 1953 building bridges in Wisconsin and Illinois. After moving to Madison he worked at the Milwaukee Road Roundhouse on West Washington Ave. where he performed maintenance on engines and freight cars until 1963.

Tom joined Laborer's Union Local 464 in 1961, he worked for Madsen Construction, on several UW Wisconsin building projects and Tri-North Construction Co. Retiring in 1988 Tom and his wife Nancy traveled several summers to Tennessee and Florida for extended vacations. Nancy preceded Tom in death in 2000 after a long battle with cancer.

Tom was proud to be active in his Laborers Union Local 464 and received his 50-Year Pin in 2010; he continued to make his monthly union meetings right up to this July. Tom was a devoted family man who enjoyed his sons and going to his grandson's basketball and Little League baseball games. He also enjoyed numerous gambling trips to Las Vegas and Iowa.

Many will miss his kindness and mellow personality.

A Funeral Service will be held 11:00 AM on Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Cress Funeral Home, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison, with a visitation to be held from 9:30 AM till the time of service. A burial will follow at Sunset Memory Gardens.

Cress
Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road, Madison
608-238-3434
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www.cressfuneralservice.com