Thomas Smith Venard

Thomas Smith Venard, 82, of Homosassa, FL, passed away on Tuesday, June 11, 2026 at his home under the care of HPH Hospice and his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Karen S. Venard, after a courageous battle with kidney failure. A native of Aurora, IL, but raised in Downers Grove, he was born October 5, 1943, the fourth child to Vincent and Margaret (Smith) Venard. Tom, as he was known to everyone, was a graduate of Downers Grove High School (Class of 1962) and then served his country honorably and proudly from 1965 to 1967 in the United States Army as a firefighter, including a 13 month tour of duty in Korea. Mr. Venard then enjoyed a long 30 year career as a lineman with Excelon Corp. in the Chicago area, while earning his Associate’s Degree from College of DuPage, taking his classes in the evenings. Tom moved to Sugarmill Woods in Homosassa in 1997 from Naperville, IL, where he was a faithful and devoted member of the Lutheran Church. Upon his arrival to Homosassa, he and his wife Karen became parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Homosassa and remained at St. Thomas for 22 years. He was a founding member of Knights of Columbus Council #15154 and a 14 year member of St. Vincent de Paul Society. Tom also held membership in the Sons of the American Revolution and offered his support of the Cypress Village and The Hammocks HOA associations in Sugarmill Woods. As an avid golfer, he pursued his passion for the game as a member of both Southern Woods and Sugarmill Woods Golf Clubs for 21 years, accomplishing three holes-in-one during his life. Tom’s perfect days would include golfing, fishing, caring for his yard, and following the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers football games. Mr. Venard also loved shopping for antiques, including steins, and visiting with his neighborhood friends. Tom loved traveling with Karen and their friends, exploring the United States, including Hawaii, as well as Europe (including Ireland), Australia and Canada. In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by four siblings; James Venard, Mary Paulus, Daniel Venard and Terry Venard. In addition to his beloved wife of 46 years, Karen S. Venard, he is survived by daughters Kristin L. Schaal (husband Keith), Folsom, CA and Lori S. Ford (longtime partner Tom Coyne), Chicago, IL and son Matthew A. Ford (wife Jane), Seattle, WA; grandchildren Connor Schaal, Long Beach, CA and Ella Ford, Seattle, WA; two sisters: Rosalie Sirovotka (husband Joseph), Lisle, IL and Karen Iverson (husband Ron), Winter, WI and brother Timothy Venard, Woodstock, IL. Friends will be received on Thurs., July 23, 2026 from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at Macrini-Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida, where a Celebration of Life will begin at 10:30 A.M. with Rev. Larry Griffin officiating. Military Honors will follow at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida at 2:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Tom’s name to HPH Hospice (www.chaptershealth.org), Covenant House (www.covenanthouse.org) or Citrus County Animal Shelter, Inverness, Florida. Services entrusted to Macrini-Wilder Funeral Home, Homosassa, Florida.