GLOUCESTER: Thomas N. Tschida, 65, died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 11, 2010 in the Beth-Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston. He was the husband of Pamela J. (Vidal) Tschida.
Born in St. Paul, Minnesota on December 22, 1944, he was the son of the late Raymond R. and Emily A. (Bellman) Tschida. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era.
A loyal employee of 3M Corporation for 39 years, he retired in 2001. He was also employed at Varian Semiconductors in Gloucester from 2001 to 2008.
In Minnesota, he was a deacon at Good Shepherd Church, graduated from Bible Institute, and was involved in prison ministry.
In Gloucester, he continued reaching out to others as an Alpha group participant, Men’s Bible Study leader, and volunteer at The Open Door Food Pantry. He enjoyed traveling with his wife, photography, attending NASCAR races, listening to oldies music, and playing with his grandchildren.
In addition to his wife of thirty years, he is survived by his six children, Dwayne, husband Julie of Fridley, MN, Sandy Friendt of Oakdale, MN, Jenna Canillas Stein, wife of David Stein of Los Angeles, CA, Josh Canillas of Atlanta, GA, Tim Tschida of Atlanta, GA and Dan Tschida of Gloucester; sisters Judy Morse of White Bear Lake, MN, Bev, wife of Kevin Gausman of Holton, WI, Ev, wife of Steve Senty of Roseville, MN and 11 grandchildren Brianna Grundtner, Nick Friendt, Corey Friendt, Marianna Tschida, Thomas Tschida, Morgan Tschida, Katelynn Tschida, Zackery Tschida, Andrew Tschida, Destiny Stein, and Ethan Tschida.
His funeral service will be held on Friday morning in the Community Church of East Gloucester, 7 Chapel Street at 10 a.m. Visitation will be held on Thursday evening in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 5 – 7 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or The Open Door Food Pantry, 28 Emerson Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930.