Thomas "Tom" Ross Parisi

Parisi, Thomas "Tom" Ross MADISON – Thomas "Tom" Ross Parisi, age 68, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. He was born November 13, 1946, in Madison, to Ross Vito Parisi and Kathryn "Kay" (Walker) Parisi. Tom graduated from Madison West High School where he played football (they only lost 3 games over 3 years) and track (went to State 2 times – took 3rd in discus his senior year and the team also won State that year as well). He was a member of the original Madison Mustangs semi-pro football team where he played Center for 2 years – and started in one very rainy game. Tom enjoyed going to the race track to watch the car races. On January 16, 1971, he married Susan "Sue" Erickson of Arcadia, Wis. Tom enjoyed fishing and was an avid sports fan including Packer Football, UW Badger Sports and Chicago Cubs Baseball (he was a member of the Die Hard Cubs Fan Club). Tom played many years of softball – both fast pitch and slow pitch. He enjoyed golf (the lowest round he shot was 76) and he was an avid bowler. Tom averaged over 200 for over 20 years, bowling in various different leagues around the Madison area. He bowled in over 30 men's ABC National Bowling Tournaments across the US. Tom was a Red Coat member of the board of the Madison Bowling Association. He bowled two perfect 300 games in his life – the first coming shortly after he lost his father. Tom also bowled two 299 games and had many 700 series. He qualified for two regional pro bowling tournaments. Tom also helped with the bowling events for the Special Olympics. He enjoyed playing cards including Euchre, Sheepshead and the highly intense family Christmas card games of UNO and Damn-It. Tom worked for several years for Pittsburgh Paints and then moved on to manage Parisi's Bar & Grill "Home of the Dago Burger" which was his claim to fame sandwich, for 18 years. He was also a member of the Italian Workmen's Club of Madison. Tom was a major blood donor to the American Red Cross. Tom is survived by his wife, Sue; daughter, Jennifer (Kevin) Yanke of Jefferson, Wis.; son, Vincent Parisi of Verona, Wis.; and grandsons, Dustin Yanke of Jefferson, Wis., and Tyler (Melissa Stark) Yanke of Johnson Creek, Wis,; as well as two aunts; many brothers and sisters-in-laws; nephews, nieces and, cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Vito & Endemira Parisi and Clarence and Eunice Walker; parents; sister, Lynda (Parisi) Ehrhart; niece, Debbie Ehrhart and, great-grandson, Aiden Yanke. A memorial service will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 3 p.m., on Thursday, April 23, 2015. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from noon until the time of the service on Thursday. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the ER and TLC units at UW Hospital for the care they provided Tom in his final days. We would often joke about how he was always a man of few words and they were..."WHAT!" "I don't know" "I don't care" "Whatever" just to name a few. But in all reality we love him and will miss him and all those times he'd say those words and phrases. Goodbyes are not forever, goodbyes are not the end. They simply mean "I'll miss you" until we meet again. Rest in Peace! "Chances Are"...we'll see you again. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com. Gunderson East Funeral & Cremation Care 5203 Monona Drive (608)221-5420