Thomas Rondou

Tom Rondou was born May 26, 1927 in Glendale, California, Los Angeles County.  Tom’s parents Joseph and Margarite Rondou moved from Green Bay to California for business, then back to Green Bay during Tom’s elementary school years.  Tom was an only child, and his parents were very supportive of his interests and happiness.

He attended public high school in Green Bay, then transferred to and graduated from Catholic high school to ensure that he could attend St. Norbert College.  Tom graduated from St. Norbert’s in 1949 with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega and the Camera Club, sparking a lifelong photography hobby.  After graduation Tom worked various retail jobs in Green Bay, bought a Harley Davidson motorcycle and enjoyed touring the Great Lakes and Upper Peninsula with his friend Louie.  In 1957, Tom started working for the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development as a statistician in Green Bay, then moved to Madison in 1973.  He bought his house on Johnson Street in 1977, which he filled with interesting furniture and collectables – he loved visiting antique and thrift shops, had excellent taste and only bought high-quality items.

Tom was very generous, often giving purchases to friends and relatives “just because I thought you would like it”.  He enjoyed people, making many lifelong friendships at his job and in all walks of life, and loved cats – always had at least one.  He also liked to drive different kinds of cars, and traded in his car every two years for a new model – he owned 34 cars in his lifetime.  Tom retired in 1998 after 41 years of service to the state, traveled and pursued his interests in photography and collecting.  He was in good health until diagnosed with multiple myeloma a few years ago, but continued to be active until his death in September 2021.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held on Friday, October 29th at 4:00 p.m. at Benvenuto’s Restaurant in Fitchburg; all friends, coworkers, and fellow enthusiasts invited!  Also, there will be a short burial ceremony of Tom’s ashes in his family’s plot at Woodlawn Cemetery in Green Bay on Saturday, October 30th at 1:00, if any friends in Green Bay would like to attend.

Cress Center

6021 University Ave. Madison

(608) 238-8406