Thomas Hussey

THOMAS J. HUSSEY

Iowa City

Thomas J. Hussey, a longtime resident of Iowa City, died Thursday, Jan. 25, at Pleasantview Home in Kalona.

Tom was born Oct. 29, 1931, to James and Florence Hussey in Chicago, Ill. He was proud of his Irish heritage, his childhood parish of Saint Sabina's, his family's "two-flat" at 77th and Halsted, his service as a drill sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, his 50-year association with Northwestern Mutual Life, and his multicultural family.

After graduating from St. Rita High School, Tom joined the Marines. When his service was complete, he majored in political science at then-St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa. After graduating, he sold life insurance for Northwestern Mutual, first in Davenport and then in Iowa City, where he moved in the early 1960s.

Tom was an enthusiastic talker, walker, and bicyclist. He always had a story, joke, or a pun. He completed 26-mile marathons well into his 70s, and finished the Bix7 at least 10 times. When he could no longer drive, he rode his bike - into his early 80s. For years he helped manage the afternoon Mass at the Newman Catholic Student Center, a role in which he took both comfort and pride.

Tom his survived by his children, Jim (Jean) Hussey of Kalona; Kathleen (Jatinder) Ahluwalia of Lafayette, La., Mary (Mohammad) Malekzadeh of Toronto, Canada, and Mike (Sheela) Hussey of Iowa City; brother, Gene (Judy) Hussey of Fircrest, Wash.; sister, Patricia Hussey of Twin Lakes, Wis.; grandchildren, Patrick, Molly, Paul, Kiran, Danny, Joe, Sarah, Sally, James, Alexander, Tanya, William, Robert, Anna, and Michael; and his former wife, Barbara Immermann of Kalona. He was preceded in death by his parents; an infant brother; sister, Joanne (Harry) Hardy of Rhinelander, Wis.; and daughter, Maureen Mims of North English, Iowa.

Tom donated his body to the University of Iowa Deeded Body Program. A lifelong supporter of education, he wanted to emulate a friend and former professor who said of his decision, "This way I can teach for another year."

Services will be held Friday, Feb. 2, 2018, at the Newman Catholic Student Center in Iowa City. Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by Mass at 10:30 a.m. (The Sunday parking ordinance will be in effect for streets near the church.) In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Newman Center and Pleasantview Home in Kalona would be appreciated. To share a thought, memory or condolence, please visit the funeral home website @ www.gayandciha.com.