Thomas L. Sinnaeve

Resided in Gladstone, MI
Died May 19, 2022

Thomas L. Sinnaeve, age 64, of Marquette and Gladstone passed away peacefully with his loving wife by his side on Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Covenant Healthcare in Saginaw, MI.

In 2018 Tom was diagnosed with a rare aggressive blood cancer, Non-Hodgkin Mantle Cell Lymphoma. He was treated at the Mayo Clinic / Rochester with chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant that put the cancer into remission. This was followed with 3-years of maintenance treatment every 8-weeks. The beginning of this year Tom was diagnosed with Long COVID. This was unchartered territory for the many doctors and medical professionals who reviewed his case. He would go through cycles of improvement followed by setbacks and no matter the treatments or therapies administered COVID was hiding out in his body. It wasn’t until the morning of his death that it was realized he was not going to be able to fight this any longer. Tom’s upbeat and positive attitude along with his Faith in the Lord were unwavering during his health crises.

Tom was born January 26, 1958, in Escanaba, the son of Cyriel “Sonny” and Marlene (Ducheny) Sinnaeve. Tom was raised in Gladstone and attended All Saints School and Gladstone Area Schools where he graduated in 1976. He attended Bay de Noc Community College receiving an Associate of Science in Business Administration (Accounting). Then transferred to Northern Michigan University earning a Bachelor in Science Degree in Business Administration majoring in Accounting. He went back to school at Lake Superior State University where he earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration in 1991.

Tom loved his career in accounting. He started working out of college at Hannahville Indian Community and School as their Tribal Accountant where he established many friendships and was always appreciative of the Indian culture that he learned there and getting a chance to start his accounting career.

Tom played softball for the Chiefs with many of his friends from Hannahville. He then started a long career of 23 years in the auto industry as the Controller for Northern Motor Company in Escanaba where he loved his Ford Vehicles. After NMC he worked for several accounting jobs before moving to Marquette where he met his wife, Marie. Tom worked at O’Dovero Development as a Staff Accountant doing work for Marquette Mountain, O’Dovero Properties, Westwood Lands, Associated Constructors and Midway Rentals. He retired from National Carbon Technologies as Controller where he created their office and accounting system and was developing a cost accounting system when he was forced into retirement about a year and a half early due to an illness.

Many of you knew Tom from his loyal service to his community by being voted into office of the Gladstone City Commission for sixteen and a half years. He served as Mayor for eight and a half years and Mayor Pro-Tem for 2 years. During his tenor on the Commission he served on many boards including: Delta Co. Solid Waste Authority, Alternate to the State Boundary Commission, Treasurer of the Gladstone Industrial Development Corporation, Secretary of the Delta Co. Overall Economic Development and Planning Committee, Chairperson of the Gladstone Industrial Promotion Committee, Chairperson of the Gladstone DDA, Board of Review, Chairperson of the Michigan Municipal League Region 10, Great Start Collaborative Board, OSF Hospice Professional Advisory Committee, Board of Directors of the Gladstone Kiwanis Club, All Saints Parish Finance Council and Secretary/Treasurer of Northern Motor Co.

Tom enjoyed and was honored to serve his community. He always felt it was important to participate if you were going to live there. He loved to talk to, listen to and then represent all the individuals and relationships he developed while serving. He was very proud of the accomplishments that the Commissions he was a part of completed which include: the Downtown Development Authority which created areas of development in downtown (utilities, infrastructure, facade program, etc.) north town (Senior Facility, Industrial area, etc.) Shoreline boardwalks, walkways, etc. and development of the old McGillis and Gibbs property (Subway, McDonalds, Hotel, etc.) Other improvements are the fishing pier, lighthouse, beach house, kid’s kingdom, skateboard park, harbor improvements, ski park improvements, ball parks, campground improvements, 10th street improvement, water infrastructure on bluff and many others.

Tom met the love of his life and best friend, Marie, in October of 2010. They soon fell in love and Tom moved to Marquette to share the rest of his life with her. She was Tom’s caregiver during his cancer fight. They’ve enjoyed their home in Trowbridge where they had many memories and family gatherings for Easter, 4th of July, Birthdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Including, dinners, picnics, backyard fires, etc. Mini vacations to lower Michigan and Wisconsin visiting children and grandchildren.

Tom’s other passions were playing softball, which he played until he was over 60 years old. Tom and Marie enjoyed their time camping, kayaking, hiking and cross country skiing. Their love for the outdoors was something that brought and kept them together.

In addition to his Wife, Marie, Tom is survived by:
Daughter: Ashley of Luxemburg, WI
Granddaughters: Mya, Emily, Erin and Malaina of Luxemburg, WI
Step-Sons: Joshua Aprill of Jackson, MI
Jonathan Aprill of Marquette, MI
Step-Daughter: Jennifer Aprill of Marquette, MI
Grandkids: Travon, Joshua, Rayanna, Shyann, Skylar and Alaynah
Sister: Kathy (Kenny) Mathers of Gladstone, MI
Brother: Steve (Mendy Kolbus) Sinnaeve of Gold Canyon, AZ

In addition to his Parents, Tom was preceded in death by:
Paternal Grandparents: Cyril and Margarite Sinnaeve of Gladstone
Maternal Grandparents: Armond and Margaret Ducheny of Gladstone

Family will receive friends on Monday, June 13, 2022 from 10:00 AM until Noon at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:30 PM at the All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone with Rev. Fr. Jamie Ziminski officiating. A luncheon will take place in the parish hall. Tom will be laid to rest next to his Parents in the Fernwood Cemetery.

21 Tributes for “Thomas L. Sinnaeve”

    My deepest sympathy for the Sinneave family. Tom as a good man and a very good friend to me growing up. We often laughed about or meager roles on the All Saints 6th grade basketball team and then all the fun we had playing on the Bud fast pitch baseball team. Tom was always one to bring out the fun of playing sports. My thoughts and prayers to his family.

    My cousin, Tom, was always a good person. He was loving to his family and he always wore a smile. He went on to become Mayor of Gladstone and I loved my bragging rites about that. As Memorial Day approaches, I remember of attending a Memorial Day celebration at Gladstone’s veteran’s hall with my aunt Marlene and uncle Sonny. Tom spoke eloquently –in his humble way–on respect for our veterans.
    Tom was filled with Grace. His time on earth was too short.

    Tom was one of the good guys! I grew up with him and went to school together! I followed Tom up to NMU where we graduated together! He was my neighbor after he got married and I remember him at the Northern Motor and as the best commissioner and Mayor that Gladstone ever had. He will be missed! R.I.P. Tom and prayers for your family!

    Tom will be greatly missed by all who knew him. So sorry he is gone this soon. Tom was kind to this country rube who moved to Gladstone my junior year of high school. I always appreciated his kindnesses.

    I am so sorry to hear of tom’s passing.Tom was a great guy kind man all around good human being god bless

    Tom was the most sincere and genuine person you would ever meet. He always had a smile on his face and he enjoyed a good laugh. I got to catch up with him a few years back during one of his check-up visits to the Mayo Clinic. It had been over 25 years since we had chatted but he was still that same fun loving guy. My condolences to Marie and the rest of his family. There is a big void in this human world but heaven has received a special gift in Tom.

    Very sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He was a good friend in high school and community college and a really great guy. Praying for his family – may God give you strength during this difficult time.

    Gayle and I send our prayers and deepest sympathy to the Sinnaeve family. I came to know Tom during my years as Pastor of Grace Church in Gladstone. I greatly appreciated Tom’s deep commitment and service to the community and the humble manner in which he served. He will be missed by all.

    I was so sad to hear of Tom’s passing . Tom was such a up beat and good person ! I had many fun times and memories of Tom in high school and I was glad to be able to speak with him during his remission. My sympathy to all the Sinnaeve’s .

    I am sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, he was always a stand up guy (and he had a great laugh too) and an inspiration for meeting his educational aspirations and an excellent example for the kids from Kipling! Rest in Peace.

    My sincere condolences to Tom’s family. Tom was a friend as we attended GHS and played football together. Even though our life paths took us in different directions, anytime we ran into each other it was like we never had been separated by time and distance. Tom’s genuinely friendly personality was always on display. He will be sorely missed by all. Thankfully he is now sitting in the presence of our Lord and Savior.

    My deepest condolences to Tom’s family.
    Tom was a very good man, a kind and gentle man.
    His kindness will always be remembered.
    My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

    Always upbeat, and with a smile, every time I saw him. Tom and I became fast friends working together years ago. He will be sorely missed.

    I can’t find the words; but am otherwise in agreement with what others said; good guy, grew up on the East End together enjoyed playing softball and other sports thru out the years. He’ll be missed R.I.P. Tom.

    I met Tom when I took my first job in high school at the Northern Motor Company. What a kind and patient man. I don’t think Tom ever lost his temper or raised his voice. Years later when I purchased my first home, Toms parents were my neighbors. I quickly learned where his kind and congenial habits came from, such nice neighbors. A wonderful family all the way around. I know Tom is resting in peace, and in heaven I’m sure they only drive Fords!

    Deepest condolences to Tom’s family. He was a few years ahead of me in high school & always such a nice guy. My husband had the pleasure of meeting him as they had their LSSU MBA classes together. So very sorry for your loss. Prayers to the entire Sinneave family.

    Sorry to hear of this passing. I knew Tom growing up, we attended All saints together and used to play in the big field across the street from his house . One of my memories of him from about 7th grade was we used to go watch the fast pitch beer league games down by the harbor and one of the teams was short a player short; there was 3 of us there and the captain of the short-handed team asked us if anyone would play. Tom volunteered, played a respectable game, got on base, made a catch in right field .

    Kudos to you Tom for a well lived life and all you’ve done for the community. You’re gone but not forgotten.

    My sincere condolences to all of Tom’s family, we are praying for you all. I met Tom in grade school, always sitting behind or in front of each other due to the Catholic school’s penchant to seat students alphabetically. Like some have mentioned, we played a lot of baseball in the fields in front of his house growing up. We would play all day, and with the score something like 83-79 we would run out of daylight and then lay around on Tom’s porch listening to the end of the Tiger’s game. That is where Tom got his early life nickname, “Billy Martin” for his ability to out-argue anybody on a close call. I like to think that Tom’s dedication and persistence in advocating for what he saw was right began then and served him (and us) so well during his political career. The high school days were also so memorable, Tom was the first of our gang to have a car and we would pool our money to buy $1.75 in gas to cruise 10th street. We got to live together in college at NMU, first at the dorms and then at a little gray house on Presque Isle Ave. We lost touch for a while before Tom reached back out several years ago to share his challenges with the lymphoma. We talked and texted often since then, and he was looking forward to a trip to Colorado with Marie that he fought so hard for. I miss you Sinnav, rest in peace and we’ll see you again some day.

    My sincere condolences to Tom’s family. Such a nice man whenever I had to work with on DDA projects or anything else at The Daily Press. I had a lot of respect for him. May your family remember the wonderful memories of a wonderful man.

    Tom was a class act from day one to the end ! It was a pleasure to be in the same graduating class as Tom. What a bright personality ! And all that he has done for the community, you set the bar mighty high my friend RIP………….

Post a Tribute

Your email address will not be published. Tributes are moderated before posted. Required fields are marked *