Thomas Leo Vainner

Thomas Leo Vainner was "awesome"! His greatest pride was always his family. He's survived by his wife Gail, four children, and seven grandchildren. Beth (Andrew) Faber, Brennan, Alli and Myah; Andrew (Melissa) Vainner, Clint, Colt(man), Bryley; Daniel (Jenna) Vainner, Dawsey; and Therese Vainner. Tom was the oldest son of Jean and Joe Vainner and was a leader of the infamous 11 sibling Chittock Ave Vainner Clan*.

Two years into Tom's high school career, St. Mary's and St. John's merged into Lumen Christi. It was there on a bus trip that he met his future bride, Gail. He also played first base for the Titans' baseball team. He then continued to play baseball at Grand Valley State College, where he earned his Bachelor's in Accounting. His game-winning hit off the bench for the Lakers was a point of pride. Later, he earned his Master's from Eastern Michigan.

He started his career at Yardman and then loved his time in the telephone industry at CCS/T-Com. Tom's decades at Jackson Community College were highlighted by weekly pre-work breakfasts with his coworkers, donut Wednesday, coaching a club baseball team, covering his office with pennants of minor league teams he'd attended, and above all, the relationships he built there. His "Vainnerisms" are still being used in leadership meetings. After all, "you can't spend it twice."

Over 42 years of marriage, Tom and Gail took countless day trips "wherever the wind blows." Tom had a knack for finding hole-in-the-wall restaurants wherever he went, one without doors. He made it a point never to miss any of his children's events, where his humor and sports knowledge made lifelong friends with other parents.

Priceless memories were made where his love of family and passion for Grand Valley met. What started as family trips to Allendale to watch the Lakers led to a plethora of road trips all over the country, capped off this last fall with 14 Vainners going up to the Superior Dome in the Upper Peninsula. Many found his GV fandom unprecedented, but it wasn't just about the team, it was about the family time.

We will immensely miss his default "awesome" text reply regardless of the conversation, teasing his grandchildren, reactionary storytelling, guidance, and wisdom. But Tom would tell us, "Keep advancing the ball."

Services will be held at St. Mary Star of the Sea in Jackson, Michigan (120 E Wesley St, Jackson, MI 49201) on Wednesday, March 11. Visitation from 9-10:30, Catholic Mass at 10:30 with a meal immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family will accept donations towards the grandkids' college fund.

* Ann, Tom, Joe, Jane, Sue, Jim, Tim, Mary, Johnny, Robert, Mark

Desnoyer Funeral Home - Family owned for 130 years