Thomas Will

Thomas Mark Will, age 60, of Minneapolis, died peacefully at home with his loving wife, Michele, on August 9, 2020. During the course of his life he was many things: a son, a brother, an Army veteran, a printer, a mechanic, a husband and a friend.  Those who knew him remember his sense of adventure and ability to find fun in any situation; his love of live music; his passion for cars, motorcycles and sound systems; his loyalty as a friend in good times and bad; his enjoyment of good coffee, conversation and his signature laugh: a booming, musical sound accompanied by twinkling eyes and an infectious smile.

As the third eldest boy in a family of 6 wild children (5 boys and a girl), Thomas was both an incorrigible instigator and a warm-hearted mentor (but mostly an instigator). He could be relied upon to take on any dare or challenge, especially those rejected by others. His childhood was filled with fun and fearless antics that he shared with siblings, many cousins and friends- egging houses, sling-shotting crabapples at each other, fabricating explosives, bb gun fights, bike jumps into pine trees and of course, his specialty, sneaking out of the house. But according to his mother, he was such a good boy.

Thomas joined the Army when he was just 17. As you can imagine, he was not well-suited to the rigors and authoritarian nature of the military though he did manage to be honorably discharged. He looked good in that uniform, though. He was introduced to the printing business by his uncle, Mitch, and worked many years in that field before switching gears to become a mechanic. He made Minneapolis his home but briefly lived in Los Angeles and Nashville with his first wife, Penny. You might say he also "lived" at Bob's Java Hut for a while and made many lifelong friends over caffeinated conversation. He owned and loved many cars, enjoyed motorcycle rides with friends and took pride in his excellent driving abilities whether it was drag racing or autocross.

Thomas and Michele married on September 28, 2002.  Their loving partnership was filled with adventures big and small.  Whether trying a new restaurant, snorkeling in Mexico, engaging in political activism or taking in a show at Lee’s, First Ave or the Cedar Cultural Center, they loved being together. They also loved spending time with good friends, of which they have many.

Thomas was taken too soon by glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer for which there is no cure. He is survived by his wife Michele, his mother, Alma, brothers, Michael, George, Jeffrey and Peter, and sister, Christine. his cat Mona, his dog Alfie and his absolutely freaking pristine 2012 Ford Mustang.

An online Service of Rembrance is planned for Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 6 pm at Bradshaw Funeral Home in Minneapolis. “ Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the service will be live-streamed and in-person attendance is limited to invite only.”We hope that friends and family will gather in safe ways to log on and join in the remembrance of Thomas and his life. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to glioblastoma research or the Cedar Cultural Center.

A Reception will follow the service via Zoom. The link is as follows:

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