Obituary for Thomas Michael Mills
On February 7, 2019 Thomas Michael Mills left this life to be with the family and friends that left before him.
Thomas Michael Mills was born to Robert and Audrey Mills on June 13,1941 in Mendota, MN. Tom was the oldest of five children. He graduated from Forest Lake High School. Tom met his sweetheart, Dorothy Mae, while roller skating. At the age of 17 Tom bought Dorothy’s engagement ring and put it in the glove box of his 1949 Chevrolet. They married secretly and then formally tied the knot on November 28,1959 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hugo, MN. They had four children Rhonda, Daniel, Patrick, and Genny.
Tom was a member of the Forest Lake Sportsman’s Club, Knights of Columbus, and coached peewee hockey when he lived in Minnesota. He and Dorothy owned Tom’s Landing in Forest Lake, MN. He had a great love of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Labradors, each one held special memories for him. In December of 1972, he moved his family to Weeki Wachee, FL. There he purchased Tom’s Bait and Tackle on Hernando Beach. He also became a General Contractor for his business T M Mills Custom Homes where he built beautiful homes in the Hernando County area. In addition, Tom started two other businesses; one with his daughter Rhonda (David) Groff called Sunshine Grove Industrial Park, and the other with son Patrick called Not Just Cabinets. He was a member of the Homebuilders Association and held the title of President for two terms.
In the early 1980’s, Tom and Dorothy bought property in Paradise Valley, MT which they absolutely loved. They spent their time hunting, fishing and enjoying their cabin with their children and grandchildren. When they retired their time was spent mostly in Montana with occasional trips to Alaska
Tom had many friends and many stories of his hunting and fishing trips. Tom and Dorothy settled in Big Timber in 1996. They purchased a home on the Boulder River and enjoyed it for many years. Dorothy passed away in August of 2013. For the last three years of Tom’s life he lived with his companion Virginia DeLeon in Big Timber, she cared for him dearly.
Tom is survived by his four siblings: Mary (Ron) Marier, Stephen Mills, Janet (Tom) Pantaleo and Kenneth (Jodie) Mills, his children: Rhonda (David) Groff, Daniel Mills, Patrick (Peggy) Mills and Genny (Anthony) Bosco, Grandchildren: Jason (Shalisa) Groff, Amy (Jon) Krum, Julie (Yancy) Terland, Matthew (Danielle) Groff, Amelia (Spencer) Farrell, Audrey (Wacey) Ott, Tristan (Drina) Bosco, Hayden (Alycia Peacock) Bosco and 21 Great Grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy Mae, grandson Alex Patrick Mills, and Great grandsons; Gerard Ray Farrell and Zackery Thomas Groff.
Tom’s memorial service will be held at 1pm Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Stenberg Funeral Home in Big Timber with a reception to follow at Tom’s residence in Big Timber.
We will FOREVER be “glad we got to see you,” Dad; until we see you again.
To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.stenbergfuneralhome.com
Thomas Michael Mills was born to Robert and Audrey Mills on June 13,1941 in Mendota, MN. Tom was the oldest of five children. He graduated from Forest Lake High School. Tom met his sweetheart, Dorothy Mae, while roller skating. At the age of 17 Tom bought Dorothy’s engagement ring and put it in the glove box of his 1949 Chevrolet. They married secretly and then formally tied the knot on November 28,1959 at St. John’s Catholic Church in Hugo, MN. They had four children Rhonda, Daniel, Patrick, and Genny.
Tom was a member of the Forest Lake Sportsman’s Club, Knights of Columbus, and coached peewee hockey when he lived in Minnesota. He and Dorothy owned Tom’s Landing in Forest Lake, MN. He had a great love of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Labradors, each one held special memories for him. In December of 1972, he moved his family to Weeki Wachee, FL. There he purchased Tom’s Bait and Tackle on Hernando Beach. He also became a General Contractor for his business T M Mills Custom Homes where he built beautiful homes in the Hernando County area. In addition, Tom started two other businesses; one with his daughter Rhonda (David) Groff called Sunshine Grove Industrial Park, and the other with son Patrick called Not Just Cabinets. He was a member of the Homebuilders Association and held the title of President for two terms.
In the early 1980’s, Tom and Dorothy bought property in Paradise Valley, MT which they absolutely loved. They spent their time hunting, fishing and enjoying their cabin with their children and grandchildren. When they retired their time was spent mostly in Montana with occasional trips to Alaska
Tom had many friends and many stories of his hunting and fishing trips. Tom and Dorothy settled in Big Timber in 1996. They purchased a home on the Boulder River and enjoyed it for many years. Dorothy passed away in August of 2013. For the last three years of Tom’s life he lived with his companion Virginia DeLeon in Big Timber, she cared for him dearly.
Tom is survived by his four siblings: Mary (Ron) Marier, Stephen Mills, Janet (Tom) Pantaleo and Kenneth (Jodie) Mills, his children: Rhonda (David) Groff, Daniel Mills, Patrick (Peggy) Mills and Genny (Anthony) Bosco, Grandchildren: Jason (Shalisa) Groff, Amy (Jon) Krum, Julie (Yancy) Terland, Matthew (Danielle) Groff, Amelia (Spencer) Farrell, Audrey (Wacey) Ott, Tristan (Drina) Bosco, Hayden (Alycia Peacock) Bosco and 21 Great Grandchildren.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Dorothy Mae, grandson Alex Patrick Mills, and Great grandsons; Gerard Ray Farrell and Zackery Thomas Groff.
Tom’s memorial service will be held at 1pm Saturday, March 23, 2019 at Stenberg Funeral Home in Big Timber with a reception to follow at Tom’s residence in Big Timber.
We will FOREVER be “glad we got to see you,” Dad; until we see you again.
To leave condolences for the family, please visit www.stenbergfuneralhome.com
To plant a tree in memory of Thomas Michael Mills, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Memorial Service
Saturday
23
Mar
1:00 PM
- 2:30 PM
Stenberg Funeral Home
215 Anderson Street
PO Box 723
Big Timber, MT 59011
A reception will follow at Tom's Residence
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