Thomas F. Londrigan

He was born in Springfield on May 10, 1937, the son of Joseph A. and Loretta (Foster) Londrigan. Tom married Carol Ann Fish on August 31, 1963.

Tom attended Hazel Dell Elementary School, Little Flower, and graduated from Cathedral Boys High School. Tom was an All-City football player at Cathedral. Tom attended the University of Notre Dame and was chosen as the first Captain of its inaugural varsity swim team. For reasons unknown, Tom took pride in removing the bust of Knute Rockne, a statue that was mounted at the swim team pool, the Rockne Memorial, known as the "Rock". Tom hid the bust of Rockne in the bathroom stall, snuck in later and placed it on the second story windowsill of the President of the University, Father Thomas Hesburgh. To this day, the Rockne statue is bolted to the building. He later graduated from University of Notre Dame and earned his Juris Doctorate degree from University of Illinois.

After graduation, Tom joined the Air National Guard and was assigned to the kitchen. When the Navy offered him an officer's commission in the Judge Advocate General's Office, he happily accepted the move into the courtroom. He served in the Navy Reserves from 1962 to 1980, rising to the rank of Commander.

Tom met Carol, his future wife, when she returned to campaign for her boss in Washington DC, Congressman Peter Mack. Carol never went back to Washington DC. The couple married at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in 1963.

Tom worked as an Assistant United States Attorney for Robert Kennedy's Department of Justice, and later worked with his father's firm of Londrigan and Londrigan before striking out to create his own firm, Londrigan and Potter, later known as Londrigan Potter and Randle P.C. Tom was a litigator and was a former president of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association. Tom was known to take very difficult cases to trial. He stood and fought for people that needed a champion. His spirit is best exemplified when he won a landmark verdict for families in Taylorville that were exposed to environmental carcinogens.

He was a member of Knights of Columbus, YMCA, the Lincoln Memorial Gardens, the International Star Class Yacht Racing, and Island Bay Yacht Club. He was also a faithful member of Catholic Church of St. Jude in Rochester as well as Church of the Little Flower in Springfield. Tom enjoyed sailing, skiing, and flying. He has won the Great Lakes Championship in the Star Class, and he was most proud of his 2012 win of the Chicago to Mackinac Race.

Tom was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Carol was the love of his life, and his family bore witness to that love in action through decades of serenades, trips around the dance floor, adventures to far-flung places and, when she needed him the most, caretaker. As a father, Tom held strict standards and great pride in his children's achievements. Whether it was the Londrigan Annual Fishing Tournament, sleigh rides through the snow or family trips, Tom loved to create special memories for his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol; son, Patrick Joseph Londrigan; and brother, Michael Londrigan.

Tom is survived by his sons, Joseph P. (Amanda) and Thomas (Betsy) Londrigan, Jr., both of Springfield; daughter, Genevieve Turner of Springfield; grandchildren, Wesley (Kayla) Copelin, Dylan, Jack, Tori, William, Kathryn, Haley and Ali Londrigan, Scarlett Turner; and several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2025, at Butler Funeral Home- Springfield, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. The gathering will begin with a prayer service.

Mass of Christian Burial: 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, 1725 S. Walnut St., Springfield, with Father Michael Friedel officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Lincoln Memorial Gardens.

Burial will be held at Oak Ridge Cemetery.