Thomas Michael Drinan

It is with deep sorrow that we mark the passing of Thomas Michael Drinan, aged 84, who succumbed to the natural progression of time and passed away peacefully surrounded by his family.

Born on May 22, 1939, in Streator, Illinois, to Parnell and Marie Cecilia Drinan (née Craig), Tom was the embodiment of the Kinsman, Illinois steadfast, hard-working farming community which shaped his lifelong commitment to family and the simple joys of life.

Tom's educational journey began in Mazon Illinois and later at Northern Illinois University, where he graduated in 1962, Tom's path was one of steadfast purpose. His professional life began in Chicago and in 1970 flourished in Scottsdale, Arizona, where he settled close to be closer to his mother Marie, his brother Doug, and Doug's family - always maintaining his Midwestern sensibilities.

A sports enthusiast since boyhood, Tom's love for the game was sparked while listening to baseball games with his father. His encyclopedic knowledge of sports often made him the centerpiece of many conversations, especially when discussing his favorite teams: the Phoenix Suns, Cardinals, and Arizona State Sun Devils. His unwavering support for his alma mater, the NIU Huskies, never wavered.

The Drinan and Craig families were the cornerstones of his life. The Drinan family farm, where his Uncle Raymond, Aunt Monica, and cousins Gary, Carol Jean, and Delores fostered a profound sense of home, was a place of cherished memories. His aunts, uncles, and maternal figures such as Winnie, Margaret, Lizzie, and Michael Craig, along with their descendants, imprinted upon him the warmth and resilience of the heartland.

Tom was predeceased by his parents, his only sibling, brother Douglas and Douglas's wife Marcella, and his long-time partner Wanda. He is lovingly remembered by his nieces and nephews—Tresa, Cindy, Patty, Danny, Darrel, and Douglas—along with many grand nieces, grand nephews, and cousins.

We mourn the loss of a man who was a beacon of Midwestern values, sport almanac and a loving son, brother, and uncle, and a treasured member of our family. We celebrate Tom's enduring spirit and the simple, honest way he lived his life. His legacy lives on in the stories we share and the values he championed.

May he find eternal rest in the peace of the rolling plains he so dearly loved.

A celebration of his life will be coordinated by his family in the near future. Any donations should be directed to Valiant Hospice.