Monday, February 10, 2025
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Thomas George Sazama

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Thomas George Sazama, age 93, passed peacefully into eternal life on January 30, 2025, surrounded by his loving children.

Tom was born on November 21, 1931, to Francis and Josephine (Rosenthal) Sazama in Watertown, WI. After graduating from high school in 1949, he attended Northwestern College in Watertown from 1949-50and Marquette University from 1950-51. As a true patriot, Tom enlisted in the United States Navy during the Korean War, and he proudly served our country for four years.  He played football for the Navy during his two years stationed in Japan and playedD1 football for Marquette University after returning home in 1955. Tom completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Marquette in 1957 and was accepted into Marquette University Law School, where he obtained his law degree in 1960.

During his last year of law school, Tom met the love of his life Mary Josephine (Daley), who had just graduated from Marquette’s nursing program. After a short courtship, they were married on April 23, 1960, at the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee. 

Tom applied for and was accepted into the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation after graduating from Law School, but with their first child on the way, Tom and Mary Jo decided to move to Merrill, WI to raise their family. There, Tom began his law career as a general practice attorney in 1960.  He opened Sazama Law Offices in 1962, where he continued to practice law for 34 years until his retirement in 1996. He served as Merrill City Attorney from 1965-72, as well as Assistant City Attorney.  He was a participating attorney of Wisconsin Judicare, Inc., which provided free legal services to those in need. 

Tom contributed much to his community of Merrill and received much in return. He was a faithful Catholic and involved member of St. Robert Bellarmine/St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, where heserved as a Parish Council member, Finance Committee Chairman, and President of the St. Robert’s Home and School Association. He also participated in the church choir and volunteered as a Mass lector.  After retirement he instructed school children in how to reverently altar-serve at Mass.  He was a member of the Merrill Knights of Columbus, Lincoln County Bar Association, Merrill Lions Club, Merrill Rotary Club, Merrill Jaycees and Town of Harding Land Use Committee. Tom was elected to the Merrill Area Board of Education for multiple terms, serving 12 years.

Tom and Mary Jo were dedicated to raising their four children, and he unapologetically prioritized God and family above all else for the entirety of his life. He loved the outdoors, which he shared with Mary Jo, his children and grandchildren, friends and relatives, making the most of every season as an avid fisherman, hunter, snowmobiler and sportsman.  He enjoyed coaching basketball teams at St. Robert School, and he was a constant presence cheering at every one of his kids’ (and later grandchildren’s) sporting events over the years.  After retirement, Tom and Mary Jo enjoyed several years of motor homing. They visited family and friends and reached several destinations throughout North America.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife Mary Jo, brother-in-law Walter Schwarting, and brother/sister-in-law Jerry and Joan Daley.  He issurvived by his four loving children Jeanne (Kevin) Custy, Lone Tree, CO; Joanne (Paul) Andress, Colgate, WI; Julie (Michael) Hogan, New Brighton, MN; Jerry (Gina) Sazama, Waconia, MN; eighteen grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, sisters Mary Jo Schwarting and Karen (Richard) Sonnentag, both of Oconomowoc, WI, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at St. Francis Xavior Catholic Church.  Father James Horath will preside.  Burial will take place at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Merrill, with military honors. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 14 from 4:00-7:00pm followed by a Rosary 7:00-7:30pm at Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral and Cremation Serviceat 301 S. Eagle Dr, Merrill.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to St. Francis Xavier Catholic School, 1708 E. 10th St, Merrill, WI 54452.

We will greatly miss Tom, but we rejoice knowing he will be welcomed into his true Home as the good and faithful servant he was. Thank you to the wonderful staff at Bell Tower, Marshfield Medical Center-Weston and Compassus Home Health and Hospice who specially cared for “Tommy George.” 

Taylor-Stine-Waid Funeral & Cremation of Merrill is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences are encouraged and may be made at www.taylorstinewaid.com.