Thomas L Peters

Tom grew up on the East Side of Detroit, the son of a Grosse Pointe Farms police officer and a homemaker. He was blessed with three siblings, his older sister Theresa, a younger brother James and the baby of the family, Joanne. They were a loving family and had an enjoyable life growing up. As a youth he helped his Grandfather raise pigeons and was heavily into archery.

Tom had a mischievous young soul that led him into trouble often. The earliest episode that I can remember was when he and his buddy sat behind the church smoking and drinking wine that they had confiscated from the church. There was also the time he tied his younger brother to the front yard tree and left him there for his mother to find when informed by a neighbor. Then there was the time the Detroit police took him home at 11:00 in the evening after he was caught throwing snowballs at cars. That same year several of his buddies and Tom took the golf cart from Jim Causley Pontiac for a joy ride. Giving Tom a drivers license may have been a mistake because once he starting driving he developed his own rules of the road.

His working career started with paper route at 12 followed by one or two jobs until he finally retired from Grosse Pointe Farms Department of Public Works in December of 2009.

Tom met his wife, Ricki, at the ripe young age of 12 when her family moved in next door. They were married at 19 and proceeded to have three boys of their own. Tom’s family was a source of great happiness and pride. His sons gave him five grandchildren (Ryan, Ashley, Andrew, Jenna and Robert Jr.) who filled his life with joy.

Animals were attracted to Tom so he was constantly bringing home strays including baby ducks , rabbits, cats and dogs, the boys loved this. He even attracted two fawns that followed him around like puppy dogs one season. I’m sure this spoiled his hunting season that year fearing he would shoot his pets.

In his early twenties he developed a love for pool and was marveled for his expertise. Fishing was the family sport spending many hours with his wife and sons instructing them in the sport. He was the family mechanic and all around handyman and was called on frequently for help with one project or another. He loved helping others but would never ask for help himself. Tom also developed an obsession with alcohol which caused him and his family much concern; he fought that demon 20 years ago and won.

Those who knew Tom well will remember him for his humor and wit, always with the funny comments and one liners. He would make us all laugh with his e-mail notes, and photoshopped pictures and captions. Even through his illness he had an easy smile and a witty remark.

Tom and his wife invested in a property with 40 acres and a rundown house. They both took up hunting together and summer s and weekend were devoted to renovating the house into a lovely retirement home. In December of 2010 after 32 years of service with The Farms he retired with his wife to this up north get away.

Three months later Tom was diagnosed with lung cancer and fought a losing battle for twenty seven months.

Beloved husband of Ricki for 40 years; dear father of James Vincent, Robert William (Christina) and the late Thomas J.; dearest grandfather of Ryan, Ashley, Andrew, Jenna and Robert Jr.; loving brother of Theresa (Larry), James and Joanne (Gordon).

The family will receive friends Monday 1 pm until 7 pm at the Kaul Funeral Home, 35201 Garfield Road, Clinton Township. In Thomas’s honor memorial donations may be made to Woodland Hospice of Mt. Pleasant.