Thomas Joseph Mauss

Obituary Thomas Joseph Mauss died peacefully at home on Monday. He was 70. He was born to Mary and Mark Mauss on December 10, 1946 in Waukon, Iowa. He graduated from St. Patrick High School in 1965 and earned his bachelor's degree at the University of Iowa, where his primary success was meeting his future bride, Karol Bottenfield, over a game of bridge. Tom was selected in the first Army lottery and deployed to Vietnam one month after marrying Karol in 1970. The Army brought Tom and Karol to the northwest, where the young couple planted roots after his honorable discharge. He then earned his MBA from the University of Puget Sound. In 1973, he began as an Account Executive at Merrill Lynch. As his business grew, so did his family, with the arrival of daughter Shelley in 1977 and son Michael in 1979. Tom loved fishing. He never met a cutthroat or salmon that he didn't want to introduce to his hook. He fished the Olympic Peninsula, the Puget Sound, and Alaska. He loved living on the Sound as an avid water-skier and boater. He had a humble and gracious heart for serving others. Notable contributions included starting a chapter of the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Nicholas in Gig Harbor, to serve the poor. He believed in Catholic education and was passionate about establishing and growing the endowment at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School, from where both of his children graduated. Living the gospel of life, he and Karol opened their doors, literally, to many: pregnant moms without a place to live, a family of Vietnamese immigrants with no home, and those who simply needed to know God's love and care. Tom had a competitive spirit: a master bridge player, investing in the stock market, following his beloved Dodgers and Seahawks, and politics. He was passionate about finding deals and loved following in his father's frugal ways, much to his wife's chagrin. Tom believed every good conversation included some talk of religion or politics, ideally both, and with a good Scotch or Cabernet. He loved his Catholic faith and was inspired by the life of St. John Paul II. Tom was a strong Republican, defined by a generous heart, a giving spirit, and an unparalleled work ethic. Tom took his role as a Financial Advisor seriously, knowing his influence could help change the course of people's lives. Besides investing (his passion), he helped people navigate the passing of loved ones, divorces, marriages, was a perpetual matchmaker for his single clients and friends, and often worked with several generations of client families. Daughter Shelley joined Tom at Merrill Lynch in 1996 and son Michael joined him in 2006. He retired in 2014 after a 41-year career rising from Account Executive to Senior Vice President - Investments. We know that even in heaven, he is still not a fan of bonds and will love seeing the Dow hit 20,000 from above. More than anything, Tom was defined by his role as husband, father, and grandfather. His heart was happiest when surrounded by his beloved wife, Karol, children, grandchildren, and Portuguese Water Dogs, Andy, Gina, and Bella. He taught us by example how to live and love your family. Tom was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in 2014. Alzheimer's is a relentless, exhausting, and progressive brain disease. In this final stage of his life, he taught us exceptional lessons in the dignity of the person, finding joy amidst the struggles, and how to truly live out an acronym he loved...FAMILY: Forget About Me, I Love You. Tom's family wants to thank his caregivers, Leon Bombardier, Penelope Walsh, and Dolly Estrelloso for their loving care of him in this final chapter. We especially thank Angela McCloskey and her nursing staff at Cottesmore of Life Care, as they made it possible for him to live out his life at home. Tom is survived by his wife of 46 years, Karol; two children, Shelley Sprouffske (Jonathan) of Rainier, and Michael (Kristine) of Gig Harbor; and seven grandchildren, Thomas, John Paul, and Alexander Sprouffske, and Avila, Maximilian, Levi and Lourdes Mauss. He is also survived by his sister Carol Heffron (Bill) of Bloomington, MN, and brothers William Mauss (Darlene) of Dubuque, IA and Timothy Mauss (Susan) of Tacoma, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and infant grandson Gabriel Mauss. A funeral viewing will take place at 3:00 pm and a Vigil will begin at 4:00 pm on Sunday, January 1, 2017. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, January 2, 2017 at 11:00 am. Both are at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church. A reception will follow on the church campus at Feist Hall. Burial will take place at Calvary Cemetery in Tacoma. Memorial donations can be made to the Endowment at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School in Tacoma. Funeral arrangements by Gaffney Funeral Home. We invite you to join us for any of the rites, whether you are Catholic or not. Please feel free to share this invitation with those who may wish to join us. Sunday, January 1, 2017 | St. Charles Borromeo 3:00 pm Open Casket Viewing 4:00 pm Vigil with Rosary & Sung Chaplet of the Divine Mercy Monday, January 2, 2017 | St. Charles Borromeo 11:00 am Funeral Mass (closed casket) 12:00 pm Reception to follow on the church campus at Feist Hall Burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery St. Charles Borromeo 7112 S. 12th St. Tacoma, WA 98465 Calvary Cemetery 5212 70th St W Tacoma, WA 98467