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Thomas Humphrey, Sr. 01/08/2022

Thomas Willliam Humphrey Sr., age 61, died on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at Select Specialty Hospital in Madison, WI. Tom passed peacefully surrounded by his wife Mary and several of his children. He was born August 21, 1960 in St. Paul, MN, and he was the second youngest of four children, born to James and Marie Humphrey. He is preceded in death by his brother John, his father Jim, and his mother Marie.

Tom loved adventure. He traveled across the country with his wife and seven kids, crafting memories that will carry us forward. He planned a trip, that he affectionately called “The Great Tumbleweed Roadtrip,” where he meandered through the mountains, into deserts, and across the Great Plains; and whenever he went south, he never missed his chance to go to a Waffle House.
He was an avid, amateur Videographer and Photographer. We would make it to a stop in Yellowstone National Park, or Beartooth Pass, or one of the many beaches we went to; the kids would pile out of the car and he would start up one of his videos saying, “Well here we are….” and end with “signing off for now.” He loved capturing the moment, and his family couldn’t be more thankful for the memories he would encapsulate.
He loved the Great North Woods where he and his brother John took their families camping. These two brothers would bring their gas-powered griddles and wake all 13 children up with the smell of bacon, eggs, hash browns, and pancakes. There was nothing like sitting around an early morning fire, eating a meal cooked by these master chefs, listening to the sound of the wilderness, and surrounded by the people you loved most. This was where Tom flourished.
Tom got his mother Marie’s talent for cooking and her love of family. On Sundays after church you could find him in the kitchen with his wife Mary, cooking for his seven kids and twelve grandchildren. His home was always open to everyone, and it was never quiet in the Humphrey household when we all got together. He was always ready with a joke, kind words, or an ear to listen.
One saying you would often hear around the house was “Many hands make hard work light.” He was always there to help his kids, whether it was moving to Alaska or fixing things around their house. He was a man of action and faith and taught his kids what a good man was by showing them.
Tom is survived by his wife Mary; brothers Bob and Jim; children Josh, Kirsten, Thomas, Chrysa, Cassie, Daniel, and Kalley; grandchildren Joshua, Annabelle, Mikko, Aurora, Kora, Emersyn, Jonah, Will, Killian, Jakob, Jeremiah, and Mila. He is further survived by various relatives and friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at 10:30 am at St. Agnes Catholic Church (535 Thomas Ave) in St. Paul, MN. The service will be livestreamed via a link found at the bottom of the obituary.  Visitation was also Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 am at the church.  Interment ws in Guardian Angel’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Oakdale, MN.  Arrangements are with Bakken-Young Funeral & Cremation Services.

Click here to watch Thomas’ recorded Mass of Christian Burial. Due to the acoustics of St. Agnes Church the sound has a lot of reverberation.

21 Comments

  • Terence Doherty Posted January 11, 2022 11:57 am

    John was a role model at Light Rail. I first met John December 2003 at our 1st Light Rail class. He struck me as a serious student but also someone with a great sense of humor. John will be missed, I will miss him.

    • Jim Humphrey Posted January 14, 2022 5:32 pm

      You got the wrong brother Terence!

  • Michael Conlon Posted January 11, 2022 9:55 pm

    I had the pleasure of working with Tom for 20 years, and we had occasion to work closely in all of his roles. Tom was a great guy with a wonderful mind. Condolences to the family and all who are feeling the loss.

  • Carrie Desmond Posted January 12, 2022 9:12 am

    The last thing I said to Tom was “It’s been too long, let’s grab coffee one day soon and catch up.” We never got the chance. Tom was always such a positive force in the room, ready to step in and help, keeping everyone motivated. No matter how busy he was, you never got a “that’s not my job” from Tom. He took the time to teach and help anyway he could. I will miss seeing him at work and forever be sad that we didn’t get that cup of coffee.

    • Lucy Notermann Posted January 12, 2022 10:07 am

      I remember Tom Humphrey as always smiling. He lived and loved his Catholic faith. I’m so sorry to hear of his death.

  • Vince Pellegrin Posted January 12, 2022 10:37 am

    No words can describe the sorrow I feel today. I worked with Tom for over 20 years. He was always the “go to” guy to solve the toughest problems. I will miss him greatly. Tom was the consummate organizer. His humble style made everyone around him better. May he Rest In Peace. I will always cherish our time together.

  • Darla Meyers Posted January 12, 2022 12:14 pm

    What will I miss most about Tom? His happy smile and ability to make someone laugh like a child with belly laughs. He never held back on his pride in being a Catholic. He is someone to emulate in Faith and life. Eternal rest grant onto him, oh Lord, and may Perpetual Light shine upon him. May his soul, and all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

  • Elizabeth(McLean)Kelly Posted January 12, 2022 1:31 pm

    I was so delighted when I started working here and found out that I was working at the same company as Tom and John after having been best friends with their cousin, Paula, as a child. I am saddened to see that they have both died. I will always remember them fondly and especially while watching Planet of the Apes. Rest in Peace friends.

    • Jerry Poole Posted January 14, 2022 10:09 pm

      I have known Tom for nearly 40 years as my brother in law, I am deeply heartbroken over our loss of such a loving, funny and passionate soul. I have many fond memories of Tom and his fun personality. Tom had the best sense of humor. He was a smart, caring man and a devout Christian. I have also known John for the same length of time, he too, was a truly good soul, with a wonderful sense of humor. This was such an unimaginable series of events that took the lives of these 2 brothers at this early age. I pray for his family to find the strength through their faith to endure this unimaginable time.

  • Sheri Gingerich Posted January 13, 2022 4:46 pm

    Tom was one of those guy’s that would always go above and beyond to get a job done. He never, and I mean never, shied away from hard work or a difficult task. His enthusiasm was contagious. I know his family meant a great deal to him and it sounds like he did a great job of creating lasting memories with his videos. My deepest condolences to his entire family. Please know a lot of people cared about him. May he Rest in Peace.

  • William Blair Posted January 15, 2022 6:34 am

    I did not know Tom as well as I knew his brother John, But I did know that Tom was a man of conviction and loyalty. May God provide comfort to his family in this time of grief.

  • Brian Funk Posted January 17, 2022 7:35 am

    I had the pleasure to know Tom for many years as a co-worker and he will be missed dearly. More than “work stuff”, I loved sharing stories and pictures from our shared love of travel. He made all of us better and his contributions to Metro Transit will be felt for many years to come. To the family, I’m so sorry for your loss and may he rest in peace.

  • Paula (Clancy) Rothstein Posted January 17, 2022 12:46 pm

    Tom’s welcoming smile, piercing intelligence and curiosity regarding so many things will be greatly missed. As his cousin, we grew up together and I have wonderful memories of Tom and will cherish them always. I wish to offer my sincerest condolences to Mary and the children, grandchildren, and all who knew and loved him well. He was a great man and we were fortunate to have been a part of his life. May he rest in peace.

  • Christy Ann Bailly Posted January 17, 2022 2:24 pm

    It seems like yesterday that I would see Tom working diligently in his office across the hall from ours at Metro Transit. I would knock on his door to have a chat or ask for his help with one of the many issues of the day. He was always accommodating. He was very knowledgeable about the many of the systems that we used and was able to give us a quick fix or work around if needed. One time, when he was still in the maintenance department he returned my call, saying he was sitting on the edge of a mountain top out west, logging on to his computer so he could fix a software issue for us. He was generous, kind, funny and caring. It’s hard to believe that he is gone from this life. There is comfort knowing that he is working those problems out from on high. Goodbye, my friend. My thoughts and prayers to Tom’s loving family.

  • Julie Johanson Posted January 17, 2022 3:36 pm

    I too was very sad to learn of Tom’s passing. My sympathy to each person in Tom’s Family.. I knew and worked with Tom for many years when he was a Manager in Bus Maintenance at Metro Transit. Tom was a very energetic person who worked tirelessly to improve the quality of service at Metro Transit. He was especially intrigued with technological improvements. He was always willing to share his expertise and help his colleagues at transit. Tom spoke very fondly of his children and shared stories of their family vacations! I will remember Tom as a very kind person who helped many throughout his life. Tom will be missed by so many!

  • Rob Milleson & family Posted January 17, 2022 7:15 pm

    I worked side by side with Tom for many years at Metro Transit and am so saddened by his passing. He worked tirelessly at his job and was a great coworker. Ideas and their implementation was Tom’s specialty… not just within Bus Maintenance, but across all departments. He was always willing to offer a hand to anyone in need. My thoughts are with Tom’s many family members. Please accept my sincere condolences.

  • Lucy Galbraith Posted January 18, 2022 10:15 am

    Tom’s office was across the hall from mine. Like so many others, I enjoyed sharing work, stories, pictures, and advice. My deepest sympathies to his family. Tom and John gave so much to so many of us.

  • Jan Homan Posted January 18, 2022 11:07 am

    Tom left a imprint on my life that I will never forget. He shared with me his commitment to God, family, friends and work. He was a self taught master at developing computer programs that helped bus maintenance achieve record performance. Always open to feedback, he was an amazing man. His vacation stories were ones for the record books. Driving across country in record time, climbing mountains, or jumping across rocky tops in the Badlands. He made the most of the life and time he was given. I miss you Tom and know that I will keep your family and brothers in my thoughts and prayers.

  • Imee Clark Posted January 18, 2022 1:31 pm

    I had a chance to work with Tom on the TAM project he was leading. He was very helpful, accomodating and always there to help you solve the problem. Very nice, thoughful and knowledgeable guy. Gone to soon, he will be missed here at Transit. My thoughts and prayers to the Humphrey family during this challenging time. God bless!

  • Bill Porter Posted January 18, 2022 9:02 pm

    I just heard today that Tom has passed away. I would like to extend my condolences to the family. I know that Tom’s family was the most Important thing to him. I can’t imagine the inconsolable grief each family member is going through. He was a great husband and a great father. Tom was one of the most intelligent and talented people that I have met at Metro Transit. I am happy that I had the privilege of working with Tom all those years.
    I will keep Tom and John and the families in my prayers. Calm winds and trailing seas Tom.
    Rest In Peace Tom

  • Jeff Jelinski, Commissioner, Morrison County Posted January 21, 2022 10:27 am

    As a member of the Statewide Emergency Communication Board (SECB) I was honored to have served on this Board with Tom. Tom was an active member on the SECB. It was my honor to have served on this board with him. My deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Tom’s entire family. RIP Tom, RIP.

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