Thomas Andrew Sobon

My loving husband and life partner of nearly 60 years has passed from this life and found peace.

Tom had been ill for three years and was diagnosed with bladder cancer in late 2021. His cancer became untreatable when complicating conditions developed early this year. He was at home in Shorewood, with Vitas hospice care from June 2 up until four days before his death. He passed away at the Vitas Hospice Center in West Allis, WI, when he needed 24/7 nursing.

Tom was born in Chicago, IL and grew up in South Milwaukee, WI, the youngest of 5 children born to Isabelle (nee Guziewski) and John Sobon. After his father’s death and while Tom was a young child Isabelle was remarried to Joseph Dinkelman. Joe encouraged Tom’s interests in academics and Fine Art. Tom went on to receive a BS in Art Education at UW Milwaukee. Tom and I (Jean Dexter Sobon) were married April 1, 1963, the year we both graduated. Soon afterwards Tom began his Master’s studies at UWM in Fine Art. Fatherhood and work duties extended his studies and studio work out over many years, mainly through courses available only as evening classes. This effort included some years of commuting from Kenosha, when his workday job as a WI DVR Crafts Instructor of homebound adults ended. In 1968 Tom was able to transfer back to the Milwaukee area with our family of 4. We moved to Shorewood in 1973 where Tom was better able to continue his independent studio work in Sculpture at UWM. He also added darkroom film development of Fine Art Photography film to his skills. Tom retired in 2004 after 45 years as a State Teacher of homebound adults. We travelled to upper California in 2006, and in following years to Denver, New York City and Mexico with good friends, visiting other good friends and enjoying new and varied vistas and experiences. 

During the years our two children, Andrea Sobon (Erik Zenz) and Matthew T. Sobon (Lynn) attended Shorewood Schools and began studies at UWM, Tom encouraged their developing interests and skills in academics, sports, music, the Arts, their widening circles of friends and in our family’s animal companions. Both eventually went on to get their Doctorates in Veterinary Medicine at UW, and now practice at the New Berlin Animal Hospital. As a young family we hiked State and National Forests, rafted the Wolf River, went camping with family and friends, played soccer and watched sports competitions, participated in Scouting, home gardened and made many needed improvements to our 1926 bungalow. Our children have added 5 grandchildren to our family: Nathan (Sarah), Gwen, and Toni Sobon (Andrew Provenzano), and Kristian and Anna Zenz. Three great-grand sons have since come along, to our delight: Matthew N. and Owen Sobon, and Sutton Provenzano. 

As Tom’s health declined, his off-beat sense of humor and wide interests in art and human history, current events, music, word origins and good conversation shared with those close to him (especially with our grandchildren), televised sports and British Mysteries kept him current and engaged. His focus in his last weeks was on his wish to be/to go “Home”. I loved him with all my heart, even during our somewhat rocky times. No one else can fill his size 14 shoes.

Our deep gratitude goes out to Tom’s Vitas Hospice Team of Caregivers, to our children and families, friends and neighbors for their support and generous help over this year. Tom repeatedly asked me to thank everyone for him. During his life, he always put the welfare of others before his own. He was a most kind man and so giving of himself. In his memory please treat others as you would yourself be treated, as other human beings equal and worthy of your understanding and compassion.

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