Thomas A Trosin

Thomas Alan Trosin, age 88, passed away peacefully on June 4, 2026.

Tom was born on July 28, 1937, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to Walter and Edna (Waikel) Trosin. He was preceded in childhood by his older brother Walter and later welcomed his younger brother Harry. He began life as “Tommy” but later legally changed his name to Thomas, believing it better reflected the serious person he was and the way he wished to be known.

Tom worked hard his entire life. His first job was collecting night crawlers from his family's lawn and selling them to local fishermen. Ever the efficiency expert, he discovered that running the sprinkler brought more worms to the surface, marking the beginning of a lifelong pursuit of optimization, productivity, and profitability.

Tom often remarked how far he had come from his childhood home at 3017 Broadway in Fort Wayne, which he was quick to note was not located in one of the city's better neighborhoods. While he was proud of his business accomplishments, he was even more proud of the family he built and the relationships he nurtured throughout his life.

He began his college education at Purdue University, following in the footsteps of his older brother. After two years, he left school to serve in the United States Army before returning to complete his education at Indiana University. A lifelong Hoosier fan, Tom graduated from Indiana University's School of Business as a Phi Beta Kappa scholar while working multiple jobs to pay his way through school. One of the great joys of his later years was watching Indiana's football team rise to national prominence. He wore his Hoosier hats and sweatshirts with even greater pride after their remarkable championship season.

At Indiana University, Tom met Patricia Stinson. They married on July 2, 1960, and shared nearly fifty years together until Pat's passing in February 2010. Their marriage produced two sons, Steven Thomas (Monica Moser) Trosin and David Thomas (Porter O'Neill) Trosin. Tom often joked that having both boys born at the very end of December, two years apart, was perfectly timed for tax deduction purposes.

Following graduation, Tom began his career with Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. He later joined one of Ford's suppliers and eventually became the youngest division president at Core Industries, prompting a move to Jackson, Michigan. In the summer of 1972, Jackson welcomed Tom and Pat, and they remained there for the rest of their lives, building the family, community, and friendships they had dreamed of as children. Some of those friendships lasted a lifetime, including those of Cindy O'Rourke and her daughter, Sarah Richmond, who were by Tom's side during his final months and helped fill his last days with laughter, companionship, and treasured memories.

In the late 1970s, Tom met Phil Willis through a business opportunity, beginning a friendship and partnership that lasted for the remainder of his life. Together they owned several successful businesses, including Lee Blake Precision Machining and Microform, Inc. Following the sale of those companies, Lee Blake became part of Melling Tool Company. Tom signed a five-year employment agreement with Melling but enjoyed his work and his relationship with the Melling family so much that he continued working there for the rest of his life. He shared a special friendship with Mark Melling and considered the company an important part of his extended family.

Through his business career, Tom formed many meaningful friendships, including those with Franco Fallone of Mexico City and Laura Short of Jackson, both of whom held a special place in his life.

Tom is survived by his brother, Harry (Joni) Trosin; his sons, Steven (Monica Moser) Trosin and David (Porter O'Neill) Trosin; his grandchildren, Davis (Gráinne) Trosin, Amy (Ben) Barrett, Kellie (Will) Cauthen, Danielle (Jao) Phoomingkaew, Emily Simmons, Adam Trosin (fiancée Allie Baxter), Mary Trosin (Gavin McCarthy), and Grace Trosin; and his great-grandchildren, Henry Trosin, Maeve Trosin, Wes Barrett, Georgia Barrett, Elizabeth Cauthen, and Maysa Phoomingkaew.

Tom especially enjoyed spending winters at his home in Fort Myers, Florida, a place he affectionately referred to as “The Garden of Eden.” Following a fall shortly after Christmas that resulted in a broken femur, he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. He underwent radiation and chemotherapy treatments before deciding that he had lived a full and rewarding life and was ready to enter hospice care.

The family would like to express its sincere gratitude to Chelsea Eisele and the entire team at Otterbein Jackson (formerly Vista Grande Villa), especially Ed Chiesa and Ryan Sallows in the Health Center, as well as Jazmen and the entire team from Optimal Care Hospice, for the exceptional care and compassion they provided during Tom's final days.

Visitation will be held on Friday. July 10, 2026, from 5:00-7:00pm and a Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, with visitation from 10:00am until the time of service at 11:00am at First United Methodist Church in Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History.

Tom's life was defined by hard work, loyalty, friendship, and family. He never forgot where he came from, never stopped working, and never stopped believing that there was always a better way to do things. Most importantly, he built a life that made his family proud and leaves a legacy that will endure for generations.

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