It is with deep sorrow that we announce the unexpected passing of Thomas Michael Whitford, age 67, of Madison, Wisconsin on Thursday, December 14, 2023 at University of Wisconsin Hospital & Clinics. He was born on April 08, 1956 at Madison General Hospital.

Tom attended St. Bernard’s Catholic school through the eighth grade and received his Certificate of Promotion from The Diocese of Madison in 1970. He then attended Madison East High School; Graduating with the Class of 1974.

It was during his high school years that Tom became interested in the artistry and flavor of food while working part-time, after school, at the Simon House. During the early 1970’s, the Simon House was one of downtown Madison’s finest dining establishments, known for its elegant decor, exceptional service, and high-quality food. The European trained chef saw something special in Tom and quickly moved him from dishwasher to food prep, then to Assistant. The chef-master helped develop Tom’s understanding and appreciation for flavors, spices, quality meats & seafood.

A few years after high school, Tom went on to pursue an Associate Degree in Applied Science (1977) with a special focus in Restaurant and Hotel Cookery, from the Madison Area Technical College. While pursuing his degree he also worked as chef and assistant manager at Porta Bella (1975-1981) in Madison, which is also where Tom met the love of his life and lifetime partner, Maxine Priebe. This is also a time when he grew to love everything Italian (especially dishes prepared by Max or her mother Toni).

Throughout the years, Tom garnished extensive executive chef experience in the food service industry; not only in food production, but also in all aspects of operations management including hiring, training, menu development, event planning and budgeting at various reputable hotels in the Madison and south-central Wisconsin areas. When Max became sick, he stepped away from the food service industry in 2000 to help care for her at home. Max passed away in 2001. When Tom returned to work, he accepted a position at the University of Wisconsin, Madison as Food Service Manager, which is where he worked until his visual disabilities forced him to retire early.

When Tom wasn’t working long hours in the restaurant business he enjoyed spending time with Max, and her son Marc, participating in outdoor activities and camping. Some of his other most memorable times he often talked about included spending time with his friends, the “Molson Crew,” traveling to Ontario, Montreal, and Quebec— enjoying friendship, great sceneries, and eating French Cuisine. Although his loss of vision in later years prevented him from visiting other countries, he was always interested in learning from the travel of friends especially the food of other countries.

He looked forward to his yearly summer trips to Indiana to spend time gardening and cooking with his nieces, Mary and Megan. In 2017, when Mary and her husband, Andy moved to Lake Lakengren, Ohio; their home, quickly became one of Tom’s favorite places to visit. His email to plan his next trip to the lake usually went..Subject: “Yo wonderful godchild; I am emailing to book my room at the Lake Estate. I’ll take the same lake view room as usual. I also would like to reserve the same veranda seat at the table to enjoy my coffee with the children.” (i.e pups, Indy and Maddy.) Fortunately, he was able to spend two final weeks at the Lake in November 2023.

Tom loved gardening and spent many happy hours developing his hostas, herbs, vegetables, and peonies. Other things he enjoyed included: fixing up cars during his younger years, reading, playing card and board games, teaching his love for cooking, drinking a fine glass of red wine, spending quality time with friends, entertaining, science fiction movies and grocery shopping at Woodman’s with his brother, John 🙂

Tom will always be remembered by his kindness, strength, intelligence, loyalty, creativity, a great sense of humor that always brought a smile. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Martin Whitford (1980); mother, Esther (Balthazor) Whitford (2003) and Maxine Priebe (2001) who he missed dearly until his last breath.

Tom is survived by his brothers: Frank (Joanne) Balthazor, John (Jeannie) Whitford, Joe (Diane) Whitford, son of Max, Marc Priebe (Sandy). He was a beloved uncle to Francis, Chris, Rick & Mary; Joshua, Jennifer & Jeffrey; Cody & April; great uncle to many and recently became a great-great uncle to Luca.

Special and lifelong friends to Tom that family would like to mention- Cynthia, (Ted) King; Helen (Cruz) Flores; Diana Kabat (Don); Nancy Tahtinen & Tom Daily; Jerry Pluger; Paula Storch, her son Corwin and the late, Izzy, a border collie who quickly became Tom’s favorite companion and best friend.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, January 13, 2024, at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 2450 Atwood Ave, Madison, Wisconsin 53704 with Father Michael Radowicz, officiating. Preceding Mass, a gathering for family and friends will begin at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you donate to The OccuPaws Guide Dog Association, which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, charitable organization based out of Madison, WI that is an International Guide Dog Federation accredited school. Their mission is to place fully trained guide dogs with visually impaired residents of Wisconsin and within 250 miles of Madison, WI at no charge through an in-home training program.

“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in that hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.” (Jamie Anderson) To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Ave.

608-249-8257

Thomas Whitford

April 08, 1956 - December 14, 2023

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