Tom was a deeply beloved son, brother, father, grandfather, and friend. He was a man who loved fiercely and honored hard work and passion. Tom was born in Syracuse, NY on April 16, 1955 to James and Mary Beth (Percival) Rush. Tom was the third born of six children. He is the younger brother of Kevin and Larry, and the older brother to Noni, Lee, and Susan Rush. He is the father to Katie (Patrick Jakubik) Rush and Jake (Karlee) Rush. Tom was a wonderful father who gave his children years of wisdom, decades of laughs, and truly unconditional love.

He attended St. Charles and Bishop Ludden in his youth, where he played baseball and basketball, and became best friends with people he would later consider as family. He was passionate about being active in his children’s lives. He coached their Little League teams and spent a number of weekends hand-crafting a beautiful wooden coffee cart for the Leprechaun League of St. Patrick’s to assist with fundraising. He spent his free time playing golf, woodworking in his basement shop, growing a small garden, listening to old vinyl albums, catching up with old and new friends, and being present with his family.

He spent a few years installing cable lines from Maine down to Florida with some of his dearest friends that called themselves “Cable Trash.” These years hold some of the memories most dear to him. He was young, wild, and free; Tom intensely enjoyed his twenties. He’d attended the original Woodstock, he once yelled a marriage proposal to a performing Stevie Nicks (sadly, she did not accept), he spent summers introducing Salt Potatoes to clambakes in Maine, and taking on life with a vigor. 

He would later marry and have two children. His daughter Katie and his son Jake were his entire world. Every summer for 12 years Tom would pack up a van with Jake and a friend or two and head down to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, PA. This was his most precious ritual. In later years, you could be absolutely certain that if the Little League World Series was being broadcast, he would watch every game from start to finish. 

As mentioned earlier, his children were his entire world - until he met his greatest love in 2024 when his grandson, Finn was born. The smiles and laughter that would erupt from them while they were together were unmatched.

He was a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and love. He passed this down to his children who are now passing it on to their own families. Tom will be deeply missed in the everyday moments of life. We love him so much.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Little League Baseball, Inc.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 11am at the Edward J. Ryan and Son Funeral Home, 3180 Belleuve Ave. Calling hours will be prior from 9-11am at the funeral home. Burial will be private.