Thomas Golovich

MSGT Thomas Paul Golovich, Air National Guard (Retired), age 70 of Lakeview, passed away on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at his home surrounded by his immediate family. Tom had been under the care of Elara Home Care & Hospice after being diagnosed with Gliobastoma grade 4 brain cancer in September 2022. The son of Louis Paul & Rosella Mary (Philpott) Golovich, he was born on April 21, 1953 in Wyandotte, Michigan. Thomas served in the Michigan Air National Guard for 28 years, working as a heavy duty mechanic and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. On October 19, 1974 he married Mary Lenona Mayberry of Centerville, Tennessee and they enjoyed nearly 49 years of marriage and raised two beautiful daughters which he adored, Alicia and Mandi. Tom loved traveling with his wife. They traveled to many places in their motor home, and made many friends along the way, Tom never met a stranger. He and Mary volunteered at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Florida during their winter travels. They traveled to many places overseas including, South Africa, Greece, Italy, and Egypt. Tom and Mary would enjoy many activities together including bird watching, bicycling, walking, and riding their Harley Davidson trike. He was on his way to getting his pilot's license, which had been a dream of his, but the tumor put a stop to that. He was a Jack of all trades, from wood working to mechanics and even inventing things to help his granddaughter, Izabel, with her disability. Tom loved fixing things, anything could be fixed if he got his hands on it. He restored many cars and boats, like the old wooden 1960 Chris Craft. In the late 80's, Tom and Mary bought a cottage on Townline Lake, which would become his happy place for him and his family. He spent many mornings fishing with his daughter, Alicia. He loved being on the lake, having fun, and making memories and did so even with his grandchildren, up until last summer. Tom never missed a sporting event when his daughters were in high school, he was their biggest fan. In recent years, he loved watching his grandson, Griffin, play baseball and would even pitch to him in the cage. He loved being a grandpa, he was a fun grandpa, most of the time. He found ways to relate to each one of them and spend time with them. They all thought he was The Best at pulling tubers behind the boat. Tom loved a lot of things but most of all he loved his wife, Mary. He claims it was love at first sight and would tell their story to everyone they met. He would move mountains for her if he had to. Their marriage was one that many looked up to and wanted theirs to be like. He was preceded in death by his father, Louis P. Golovich. Surviving are his wife, Mary Golovich of Lakeview; their children, Alicia & Danny Howe of Guyton, Georgia, and Mandi & Dan Tobias of Dimondale; his grandchildren Kaylei & Caleb, Izabel, Jude, Griffin & Blakely; and a great-grandson, Ethan. A celebration of life with military honors is to be held on June 29 at Camp Ford Lincoln Park starting at 2:30PM. (6551 Schmeid Road, Lakeview, MI, 48850) In lieu of flowers, the family has created two donation links in Tom's honor- For the Glioblastoma Foundation, please follow this link to donate in his honor: https://fundraise.glioblastomafoundation.org/fundraiser/4812490 or to donate to St. Jude Children's Hospital, please follow this link: https://raise.stjude.org/fundraiser/4812860 Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Christiansen’s Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Greenville, 616-754-5638. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas Golovich, please visit our flower store.