Tom Westaway

Tom Westaway passed away peacefully on Friday, February 28, at the age of 71, at UWHC in Madison, with his loving wife at his side. He was born on August 26, 1953, in Chicago, the son of Fred and Erna (DeGroodt) Westaway. He married Paula Pokrandt on September 8, 1984, in Madison, WI.

Tom attended Peterson Elementary and von Steuben High School in Chicago, graduating in 1971. He went to Loyola University for one year, then transferred to UW Oshkosh. He was a speech major with a radio, TV and film emphasis, and obtained a minor in business. Tom was a facility technician for a research facility. He had a huge heart and a big smile. He greeted everyone the same way, from CEO to cleaning staff, with a bright good morning.

Tom enjoyed tropical fish, raising Herbie the infamous Oscar fish while in college! Tom was very enthusiastic about steam trains and he rode one every chance he could, even on Maui and Kauai. He loved flying kites and last flew one on a beach on Kauai! Tom loved jazz, being introduced to Vince Guaraldi via the Peanuts cartoons as a young boy. He was an avid reader, loved science fiction and enjoyed Tom Clancy novels. Tom enjoyed traveling, bird watching, and gardening.

To his nieces and nephews he was silly Uncle Tom. He had a party horn sound he made that brought a smile to most.

Tom is survived by his loving wife Paula, his brother-in-law Duane Reed, nieces Sally (Shinzo) Amagai, Jill (Stewart) Stoller, Wendy (Larry) Douglas, Debbie Westaway, Kris McFadden (Bill Brehm); nephews David Kopp, Michael (Sharon) Kopp, Peter (DeDee) Kopp, and Jim (Tammy) Westaway, as well as many, many great nieces and nephews, especially Kennedy and Kayleigh Edwards, who brought him much joy.

Tom was preceded in death by his sisters Erna Kopp and Jean Reed, and his brother James, brother-in-law Ken Kopp, and sister-in-law Laurie Westaway, his nephew Ken Kopp Jr and his niece Donna (nee Reed) Bossenga.

There will be a gathering at Cress Funeral Home in McFarland, WI, on Wednesday, March 19, from 11 am to 2 pm. There will be a light lunch available after 12:00 pm. There will be no graveside service as his urn will go home with family. Memorials in Tom's name are appreciated to the Southern Wisconsin Bird Alliance https://app.moonclerk.com/pay/bf1uzhl57i3.

Cress Funeral Service

5801 Hwy 51, P O Box 105, McFarland, WI 53558

608-838-0655