Thomas A. Malesich was born May 12, 1936, in Dillon, MT, to Joseph and Emma (Stefanatz) Malesich. He was raised in Butte and attended Butte schools, graduating from Butte High School in 1954. After high school, Tom entered the Navy Reserve. He went to work for the Anaconda Co. as a pipefitter, where he worked until his retirement. Never content without work, Tom went to work at MSE as a security guard.
Tom married Carol Harrington on May 22, 1982. They shared 30 years of marriage until Carol’s untimely passing in September 2012.
Tom loved cooking and sharing his delicious food with family and friends. One of his best dishes was his sarma recipe, which would rival any recipe in Butte.
Always the flirt, Tom loved teasing the ladies. He had a way of making people laugh, which gave him immense joy.
Tom loved football and his team was the Denver Broncos. In his younger years Tom was a member of the car club, The Lifters and he enjoyed his Chevys. Tom was a good neighbor and formed long lasting relationships with many of his neighbors, especially Bill and Becky Daly and Mike and Sherry Hanson.
Tom is preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Joseph, Bill and Fred Malesich; his first wife, Judy; and the love of his life, Carol Malesich.
Tom is survived by his daughter, Dee (Malesich) Charles; son in law, Fred Charles; nephews, Joe Malesich (Erik) and Jim Malesich (Janet); niece, Dana ( Malesich) Turner (Gary); nephew and niece in law, Dan and Tawni Emmet; great niece, Chandler; cousin, Don Stefantz (Laura); son, Gary Stefantz; his sister, Shanna; and numerous cousins.
Special thanks to Trek Hospice for their wonderful care of Tom, especially to Robin Baker. They are all special angels who helped Tom transition to his next life. Special thanks to Father Patrick Beretta for his loving grace and spiritual care.
Funeral Mass will be held at 11 am on Friday, April 25th at St. Patrick’s Church, 329 Mercury St., Butte, MT, immidiately followed by a graveside service at Mountain View Cemetery, 3910 Harrison Ave., Butte, MT.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be mailed to St. James Cancer Center, The Grace Fund, or St. Patrick’s Church.
Axelson Funeral & Cremation Services is privileged to care for Thomas and his family.
Please visit below to leave a condolence or share a memory of Thomas.
Mary. Paddock says
My condolences to all. I really liked Tom and I’m sure he’ll be missed by anyone who knew him.
Shawna&Dee Stevenson says
I was so sorry to hear about the passing of Tom. He’s been a great family friend of my mom and dad‘s for years. We used to see him all the time in church and he will truly be missed. He was a great man. My condolences to the family from the Stevenson family.
Pat Holland says
I worked with Tom at the ACM Tom was a great guy and mentor. My thoughts and prayers are with you
Randy says
I will miss our visits at the Barbershop R.I.P. Tom
Liz Spolar says
Awe so sorry to see Tom passed away.If we ran into each other while doing our grocery shopping we would always share great memories of growing up in McQueen. How we just lived down the street from each other & the basketball court outside of our house where my brothers & the other neighbor hood boys would Shhoot the hoop. R.I.P. TOM My condolences to the family. God Bless……Sissy
Erlinda Herrera says
I am so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. He was always so friendly to me and my family. I am going to miss sitting with him at Mass every Saturday. Condolences to all of his family. May he Rest in Eternal Peace. Linda Herrera and family.
Glenn and Sabrina Laitinen says
So sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. One of my good friends was his brother Fred. Spent a lot of time at their place in McQueen. It was always fun to catch up with Tom and Carol at one of the Casinos in Butte. We always had some fun stories to entertain each other with. R.I.P. Tom.
Sarah Evankovich says
I am very sad to hear the passing of Tom. He was one of a kind. I hope you are loving the milkshakes and honking that horn. We will sure miss our chats. Sending our condolences to the family. Sarah and Danielle
Janice Clark Muniz says
Rest in peace Tom,
He sure was a great guy.
My thoughts and prayers to his family.
Janice Muniz
( Sparky’s Garage Butte)
Mike And Sherry Hanson says
We are so sad to lose our neighbor! We miss him and will miss our phone chats and visits!
Our sympathies to Dee and family!
Rest in Peace our dear friend and neighbor!
Mike and Sherry
Colleen Hackett says
how I miss you Tommie, from our bantering about football and the Denver donkeys, watching the Bold and the Beautiful (just for the pretty girls), your sarmas and clam chowder soup, to our Friday night dinners at Chefs Garden, to our birthday celebrations at the Montana Club. I will cherish our late night conversations and nicknames for each other, and wait to hear “yes dear” one more time.
Kimmie Gollinger says
Tom was our neighbor for years across the street from us. I grew up knowing Tom and Carol and they were like family to us. My Dad loved to play some shenanigans with Tom and he as well with us. When I was growing up typical teenager on the phone outside on the deck talking on the phone he would see me and yell at me to get off the phone!! Haha! And still would tell me as an adult when he would see me. He was THE most caring neighbor any one could ask for and he will be missed .
I am soo grateful the time on earth that Tom was a big part of my life growing up !
I am just only sorry I didn’t get to see him more before he passed. But I will hold onto the fun memories of Tom and the shenanigans we played on him the laughter and good times will never be forgotten! Tom rest in peace now with Carol.
My deepest prayers for his family . He truly was one of a kind, and caring neighbor that I was lucky to have in my life growing up!
See you on the other side someday Tom!
Love , Kimmie Gollinger and Colleen and Mike Gollinger Rest easy . ❤️