Thomas James Mackin

Tom retired from the United States Navy in 1978 after serving nearly 24 years, rising through the enlisted ranks to achieving the highest enlisted rank of Chief Warrant Officer. During his military career, Tom’s service was recognized with honors including the Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, reflecting his dedication and the extraordinary actions of the units in which he served. He then began a second career in the United States Judicial System, retiring in 2003 as Clerk of the Bankruptcy Court for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Illinois. Many say his third career began at his retirement party, when he announced that it was now his time to take care of his wife, Ginger, just as she had cared for him throughout all the preceding years. He did so dutifully until her death in 2022.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia “Ginger” Mackin; his daughter, Debra Kay Foley; his parents, Leo and Dorothy (née Lewis) Mackin; his brothers, William M. Mackin, Leo E. Mackin, Kenneth E. Mackin, and Philip J. Mackin; and his sisters, Marianne Carney and Donna L. Grossman.

Tom is survived by his sons, David (Melanie) Mackin and Steven (Maria) Mackin; his son‑in‑law, Kevin Foley; his brother, Paul Mackin; his sisters, Bonnie (Dennis) Gonzales and Barbara Mackin; his grandchildren, Patrick (Vanessa) Foley, Timothy (Ali) Foley, Matt (Jackie) Mackin, Douglas (Christina) Mackin, and Thomas M. Mackin; and twelve great‑grandchildren.

Memorials may be made in the form of Masses to St. Nicholas Catholic Church in O Fallon, IL, or to Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas Catholic Church, O Fallon, IL.

A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Nicholas, with Father Nick Junker officiating. Interment will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please take your family out to dinner this weekend or sit down and share a meal together. Tom loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and his extended family—including the many nieces, nephews, cousins, and in‑laws who were part of his life. Many of his favorite moments involved gathering around a table—joking, giving each other a hard time, and offering support in equal measure.