Thomas Stoycos

How do you describe a life that was really just beginning? On November 6, 2024, Thomas Stephen Stoycos passed away. We do not know why. We will never know. What we do know is that the world is much darker for losing his light.

Thomas was born in Wisconsin on January 8, 2004. He came into this world ready to live life to its fullest. Even as an infant, he hated naps because he feared he might miss out on something. A very early reader, Thomas was insatiably curious about everything. His first question on the first day of Kindergarten was whether pentagons tessellate (they don’t). He also tried to avoid a flu shot that year by explaining “herd immunity” to the nurse vaccinating our family. That love of learning grew as he did - from sports to the cello to Supreme Court cases (after reading the book “The Nine”) to science to business. He participated in drama, robotics (Team RoboBacon), orchestra (as principal cellist), travel baseball, debate club, chess club, euchre club, and gaming club. His school years culminated in his being named a National Merit Finalist and Honors Graduate from Aurora High School with a scholarship to The Ohio State University.

More important than his fierce intellect were Thomas’ gentle soul and generous heart. During a tense moment at a robotics tournament when his own team’s chances were on the line, Thomas noticed a problem with an opponent’s board and quickly notified an official to let them fix it before the contest began. He met rudeness with kindness and always tried to see the other person’s perspective to find common ground. He erred on the side of believing in the good in people. He tended to give people the benefit of the doubt and forgave quickly. He was happy to step in and help others, and he was happy to deflect credit to others. Thomas ALWAYS stood up for the underdog, the marginalized, the bullied. He was a safe place and an ally, absorbing other people’s pain and trying to protect and support them as best he could.

Thomas was passionate about everything. As a senior in high school he found a cello piece he loved. He asked for more lessons when he realized it was beyond his abilities and ended up being featured as a soloist for his final concert. After he finished, his conductor told the audience that they couldn’t see the bandaids on some fingers, but he actually had practiced until his fingers bled. Even as a young novice player, his teachers would marvel at his musicality, saying he was feeling the music beyond his years. He wanted to learn everything - baseball, rock climbing, table tennis, video games, volleyball, golf. His senior year he took up golf and tried out for the school team. He knew it was a longshot, and he was the last one cut, but he left happy that he had learned a new sport rather than bitter at just missing out. College was where he began rock climbing and volleyball; if he wasn’t in class or studying he was in the Recreation and Physical Activity Center looking for a climbing buddy or pick-up game or happily on his own working on some skills.

Thomas was highly competitive in everything and adored playing all kinds of games. Board games, card games, whatever. Playing Magic with his friends was always special to him, and he would constantly work on building new decks. He never bent a rule to win; frankly, he wouldn’t need to because he was typically five steps ahead of you. This was often because he loved board games that took longer to explain than actually play. If you won, you knew you had accomplished something, and he was just as happy for your success as his own.

Recently Thomas took a leave of absence from OSU. Realizing he wanted to change his major, he spent the semester working at Mozart's to see if the business of cooking matched his love for it. Thank you, Anand, for treating him like one of your own. He was planning to return to OSU in January while continuing at Mozart's, switching to a business degree with an eye toward culinary school. Then November 5th happened, and something inside of him broke, leaving us all devastated.

Thomas leaves behind grieving parents Stephen and Carol, who are so grateful to have been blessed by his too short life, as well as loving and bewildered brothers Alex, Michael, and Peter. We take comfort in knowing how much we all loved him and he loved us. He was an amazing son and brother. He loved cooking with his mom, going to sporting events with his dad, taking Alex on elevator rides, playing video games with Michael, and watching Peter act, sing, and dance on stage. He also leaves behind a myriad of extended family and friends who mourn with us. He takes with him his quick wit as well as his passion for Brandon Sanderson books, board games (the more complex the rules, the better), Ohio State Volleyball and Hockey, the Cleveland Guardians (David Fry was one of his favorite players and his playoff walk off of the Yankees was a highlight), and the Columbus Crew (we are so grateful he was at the game that won them their third star).

Family and friends may gather at Church of the Resurrection in New Albany, OH on November 14, 2024 from 10-11:45 AM (ET) for visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will directly follow, beginning at 12PM (ET). Interment to take place at Resurrection Cemetery. Following the interment will be a reception at Mozart's Cafe 4784 N High St. Columbus OH to share memories and stories.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you make a donation in Thomas’ memory to World Central Kitchen, The Trevor Project, United Cerebral Palsy, Autism Society of America, or a charity of your choice.

Thomas, of all the Thomases in all the world God gave us the best one. We will love you forever and miss you every day; now we just await the time when we can hold you again in Heaven. In honor of ThoXas (if you know, you know), please choose kindness always.