Thomas Gardyko

Tom was born January 22, 1944 in Saginaw to Thomas and Loretta (Kiefer) Kneebone. His father was killed in Germany while serving during WWII, so Tom and his Mother resided with her parents in Saginaw. Loretta met and married Edward Gardyko who adopted and helped raise the family. Tom graduated from St. Andrew’s Catholic High School prior to attending Michigan State University. In 1966, Tom married Patricia DelBello and together they raised their two sons in Ishpeming and Negaunee.

Tom was employed by Cleveland Cliffs Iron Company. He began his career at the iron ore improvement plant and eventually retired as a chemical analyst at the CCI lab. He dedicated more than 35 years of service to the company.

Mr. Gardyko was devoted to his community. He was a volunteer firefighter for the Negaunee Fire Department from 1974-2009, serving as Fire Chief from 1993-2009. His many other contributions include: UP Firefighters Association where he served as President, 20 years as a State Fire Instructor, Marquette County Firefighters (Associate President), National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland; Grand Knight of the Negaunee Knights of Columbus #2894, Negaunee Booster Club (President), Negaunee Jaycees and the Negaunee City Planning Commission.

Most importantly, Tom was a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother. He coached Babe Ruth baseball in the early 1970’s and enjoyed spending time with his family. Tom was an avid MSU and Detroit sports fan, cheering for his alma mater Spartans and the Tigers and Red Wings.

Surviving are his sons: Jeff Gardyko of Negaunee and Rob (Cheri) Spear of Republic; his brother, Michael (Lori) Gardyko of Traverse City; grandchildren: Michele (Chris) Ouellette, Jennifer (Scott) Clark, Jacob (Taylor) Spear, Matthew (Kim) Spear; great-grandchildren: Sheldon, Elora, Delaney, Anthony, Elias, Hendrick, Griffin and Sophie; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Kneebone and Edward and Loretta Gardyko; his beloved wife Patricia Gardyko in 2017; and three sisters-in-law: Joyce (Donald) O’Neill of Marquette, Lorraine (Reino) Kantola of Negaunee, and Carol (Richie) Hibler of Spring Town, Texas.

Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until 11:45 am on Thursday February 12th at St. Paul Catholic Church in Negaunee, with the Negaunee Fire Department conducting funeral honors at 11:45 am. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 noon with Fr. Emmanuel Barwuah officiating. A luncheon will follow in the St. Paul Gymnasium. Negaunee Volunteer Firefighters will serve as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed in Tom’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Negaunee Firefighters Association.

Mr. Gardyko’s memorial page may be viewed at koskeyfuneralhome.com.