He was born in Trenton, New Jersey on October 25, 1943.
Tom graduated Summa Cum Laude from Ryder College in 1969 with a degree in Commerce & Economics and earned his PhD in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School in 1973.
He was married to Arlene Varga on August 23, 1969.
Tom was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force (December 13, 1961- November 29, 1965). Following his honorable discharge, he worked for 28 years (1977-2005) for General Motors as General Director of Economic Policy before becoming a beloved Professor and Director of the Center for Global Leadership and Understanding at Lawrence Technological University (2005-2020). His personal and professional accolades and achievements, too numerous to list, were matched only by his humility and disinterest in self-discussion.
Tom was passionate about his family and teaching and he maintained a deep love of knowledge, literature and writing. He was both a voracious reader and scholar and maintained great pride in his ability to influence the knowledge of others as a professor.
He was survived by his beloved wife Arlene, children Melissa A. Sugameli (Paul), Thomas J. Marx (Jessie) and Jeffrey A. Marx (CJ), his adored grandchildren Julian and Enzo Sugameli, Tyler, Miles and Valerie Marx, each of whom having never failed to fill his heart with happiness and pride, he was their Grandpop, as well as his sister Rosemarie Trippa and brother-in-law Albert Varga (Marie).
A private memorial ceremony for immediate family will be held at 11:00 a.m. on August 11, 2020 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 4300 Walnut Lake Road, West Bloomfield, Michigan 48323. A celebration of life will be held at a later date with friends and family.
If interested in making a memorial donation honoring Tom, the family suggests making a Tribute Gift to the Scholarship Fund being established in his honor at Lawrence Technological University which can be directed to: Office of Advancement, Lawrence Technological University, 21000 West Ten Mile Rd, outhfield, MI 48075 (https://www.ltu.edu/giving/online-gift.asp).
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Lawrence Technological UniversityOffice of Advancement, Southfield, Michigan 48075
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