Thomas C. Nolasco Jr, MD

Born to life on January 27, 1941.  Born to Eternal Life on July 10, 2019 after a valiant battle with a rare lymphoma. Tom left us in the most beautiful, peaceful way, as a harpist played in the background with his friends and family around him.

Family was the most important aspect of Tom’s life.  Tom had just celebrated his 55th wedding anniversary to Mila (nee Relova) on June 15.  Tom’s legacy will continue in his children, Aimee (Jim) Weiner, Tom III (Kelly) and Bryan.  Tom was the most doting, loving Lolo (grandfather) to Adam, Caitlyn, Megan, Robby, Zach and Danny Weiner and Christian and Nicholas Nolasco. He also will be missed by many other relatives.

Tom was the second oldest of ten children of Tomas and Demetria (nee Cases-pronounced Cassess) Nolasco.  Conrado, the late Danilo (Lita), the late Alva (Mario) Santiago, Jorge (Esmeralda), Ramon (Viola), Josie (Malou), Antonio (Carrie), Sammy (Shirley) and Elpidio (Thay). Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Tomas and Demetria, and sister in law Linda Relova.

Tom was born in Lallo, Cagayan, Philippines and grew up in Gattaran, Cagayan, the second oldest of ten children, nine boys and one girl.  He attended Gattaran Elementary school and graduated from Ateneo Jesuit High School.  Tom attended both college and medical school at University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila and graduated from medical school at the impressive age of 21 in 1962. 

Tom married Mila on June 15, 1964.  Very shortly after they married, Tom and Mila were an ocean apart as Mila stayed in the Philippines when Tom ventured to the United States on June 18, 1964. Mila followed to the United States a few years later. Tom exemplified the classic story of immigration, coming to the United States with very little money, all on his own, with no family or friends in the United States in search of a better life. Time proved that he was most successful. 

Always an exceptionally brilliant scholar, Tom began a surgical residency and then decided to pursue a pathology residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin.  He completed this residency and started in the pathology department in 1972 at Elmbrook Memorial Hospital, where he worked throughout his more than 40 year career.

Tom became chief pathologist at Elmbrook Hospital in 1983. He also served on the Medical Executive Board and held various other leadership and management roles at Elmbrook.

Tom enjoyed playing tennis at Western Racquet Club and golfing in various courses in the Brookfield, Wisconsin area.  Sanibel Island, Florida was his sanctuary where he could take long walks on the beach and listen to the waves as he walked. He loved drinking red wine and gin and tonics and relaxing on his patio in the backyard.  “Doing stocks” was also a fun past time for Tom as well, another endeavor in which Tom’s intellect shone.  Tom also travelled all over the world with Mila and other friends and family. 

Tom’s loyalty to the Philippines did not disappear though he became a US citizen.  Frequent trips to Manila and his hometown of Cagayan continued throughout his lifetime.

After his retirement in 2013, Tom continued to enjoy traveling with his family and friends.  He loved to spend time with his “old boys’ club” of retired doctors, meeting them regularly to play tennis and exercise at Western Racquet Club and to have breakfast with his buddies. Tom was also so happy to be able to spend more time with his grandchildren and enjoyed every moment he possibly could with them, whether chauffeuring them to various activities, taking them to movies or out to eat, or attending their sporting events.

Tom’s family would like to thank the physicians and nurses at Froedtert Hospital, The Center for Advanced Care and The Cancer Center for their excellent care throughout Tom’s brief, six month illness of T-Cell lymphoma. Equally deserving of much gratitude are Tom’s friends and family, who faithfully visited Tom during the past six months, whether he was in the hospital or at home.

Tom fought hard and was beating the lymphoma despite many challenges along the way.  Tom’s friends and family were so inspired by Tom’s determination to overcome the cancer.  They will always cherish the extra months they were able to spend with him before his passing. Sadly, his illness became too much but Tom was blessed with a beautiful death.

Please join us in celebrating Tom’s life. Visitation will be at St. John Vianney Church on 1755 N. Calhoun Road, Brookfield on Thursday, July 18 from 9am until the time of eulogies at 11:45am. Funeral Mass will follow at 12 noon. In keeping with Tom’s wishes, Tom will be buried in Gattaran, Cagayan, Philippines in the private Nolasco family plot.

In lieu of flowers, Tom’s family strongly encourages donations to either the Lymphoma Research Foundation or the Thomas C. Nolasco Jr., MD Memorial Fund (checks payable to Aimee Weiner), to be used for possible future scholarships and perhaps other ways to commemorate Tom’s life.

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