GERMANTOWN, Wis. - Thomas P. Corda, 75, of Bruce Crossing, Mich., died peacefully with his family by his side on Monday, April 27, 2015, at the Gables of Germantown Memory Care Facility in Germantown, due to complications relating to Alzheimer's disease.
He was born Sept. 11, 1939, in Ironwood, son of the late Earl B. Corda and Anna (Soltis) Corda.
Tom attended Oliver and Central Grade School and graduated from Luther L. Wright High School in 1957. He served in the U.S. Army for three years and subsequently worked as a machinist at the White Pine mine, prior to entering the Michigan State Police, where he served for 24 years as a state trooper. As a trooper, Tom received many awards and recognitions, including Michigan's Law Enforcement Officer of the Year award in 1987.
Upon retirement, Tom was elected sheriff of Ontonagon County. He also served as Stannard Township clerk and was Cubmaster of Pack 252 for many years, where he also received numerous awards and recognitions.
Tom was married to Edith Britt on July 14, 1959, at the Holy Trinity Church in Killeen, Texas. Tom has a daughter, Deborah (Bill) Mattson; and two sons, Steven (Noreen) Corda and Tim (Tiffani) Corda. Grandchildren include Jennifer (Ben) Herther, Staci Mattson, Davis Corda, Dillon Corda, Kevin Mattson, Jackson Corda and Riley Corda. Brothers and sisters include Helen D'Innocenzo (deceased), Donna Panasso, JoAnn Von Der Osten, Geri Rosen, Earl Corda (deceased), and Karen Morzenti.
Tom enjoyed hunting with his boys and friends, traveling and camping with Edith and the local Good Sam RV club and working in his shop, where he was often found undertaking a woodworking project and machining parts for local farmers. Tom was a devoted and loving husband, father and grandfather and will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Visitation will be on Friday, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Cane Funeral Home in Bruce Crossing, followed by funeral Mass at noon at the Sacred Heart Catholic Parish in Ewen. A luncheon will then be held in the parish hall.
Interment will be at Hillside Cemetery in Bruce Crossing at a later date. The Cane Funeral Home Bruce Crossing Chapel is assisting the family.
Donations are preferred in lieu of flowers or other gifts. A fund has been set up in Tom's name at act.alz.org/goto/ThomasCorda.
Friends may view Tom's obituary and leave messages of remembrance at canefuneralhome.com.