Thomas A. Kain, 87, entered into Eternal Life on March 27, 2017. Son of the late Mary Katherine (nee Wheeler) and Hubert Thomas Kain. Tom is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Joan Marie (nee Mulcare), father of Mary Anne Kain Cavanagh and Thomas J. Kain. Proud grandfather of Colleen, Maeve, Jerry, Sheila, and Bridget Cavanagh. Dear brother of Hubert (deceased) and William (deceased). Treasured brother-in-law of Dorothy (nee Fesus) Kain. Adored uncle and friend.
Tom grew up on the West Side of Chicago and attended St. Mel Parish. His neighborhood was a melting pot of different backgrounds: predominantly Irish, Italian, and Jewish. During his youth, Tom enjoyed playing 16-inch softball, baseball, basketball, and “drag them down alive” football in his neighborhood. He spent his summer breaks working at Riverview and Crown Cork and Seal Company.
Tom attended St. Mel’s grade school and high school. After his sophomore year at St. Mel, Tom was offered a full 6-year scholarship for his completion of high school and college at Fournier Institute of Technology, a college for electrical engineering, run by the Viatorians. Fournier provided Tom with a good moral compass and pointed the way to success in life and business. Tom graduated in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and went on to receive his MBA from the University of Chicago in 1958.
Tom served as Second Lieutenant in the Air Force as a Communications Officer. Tom worked on bombing navigational systems for B47s and B52s, and was Motorola’s representative for the “Right Field” or Technology Center for the Air Force.
Tom had a successful career with Motorola for 43 years. Tom worked in the two-way radio, portable and paging, and cellular industries as Marketing Manager and Director of Strategic Planning. As his career progressed, he became personally engaged in every aspect of the engineering, marketing, and planning for the developing industries.
Tom’s love of golf was seen by many at his beloved Mount Prospect Golf Club, where he found much enjoyment in all that it offered him: great friends, beautiful scenery, camaraderie, humor, exercise, and sometimes, a well-played 18 holes. Tom greatly appreciated the art of music, and often created CD compilations of his favorite musicians for his grandchildren, friends, and neighbors.
Tom’s greatest enjoyments were his “3 Fs” – Faith, Family, and Friends. He was a parishioner of Saint Raymond Church in Mt. Prospect for over 50 years and a devout Catholic who tried to live his life as Jesus would have. Tom was a supportive husband and caregiver to his beloved wife, Joan. He exemplified love and dedication during their 63 years of marriage. Tom was ever-present for his children and grandchildren. He often attended their sports games and school functions, he taught them to always add humor to life, and he visited with them daily. Tom spoke highly of his friends, and enjoyed lengthy conversations with them. Tom was a wonderful man who will be truly missed by all who knew him.
Visitation will be held Sunday, April 2, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Friedrich’s Funeral Home, 320 W. Central Rd., Mt. Prospect, IL 60056.
Visitation Monday April 3, 9:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. at St. Raymond de Penafort Church, Main St. (Rt 83) & Lincoln, Mt. Prospect, IL 60056.
Interment private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Cancer Society, or the Alzheimer’s Association.