Thomas “Tom” Mario Witkowski was born December 28, 1972, in Elgin, IL, and lived in or near Elgin his entire life. Tom married his fiercely devoted wife of 19 years, Justine (née Dyers), and together they raised their son, Zachary. He began his landscape business pulling a lawnmower behind his bicycle when he was 11 years old. He worked hard and played harder.

A phenomenal rollerskater, Tom spent most of his adolescent and teen years at local skating rinks. He made many friends along the way, a majority of whom he kept in touch with through social media. Tom also loved loud music and anything with a motor. He loved his Harleys, boats, four-wheelers, skid steers, Bobcats, mowers, trucks, cars, and golf carts. He loved camping at Yogi in Amboy, Illinois.

According to Tom, he was a great poker player, and spent many evenings both hosting and attending games. He was the life of the party everywhere he went. It was impossible to be anything less than happy and carefree in his presence. His inability to tell a joke without stumbling over the words never stopped him from telling it, laughing before he could get to the punchline. His laugh was contagious and when he smiled, his entire face smiled. Tom reminded Justine to have fun in life, and Justine (tried) to remind Tom that fun doesn’t always have to come in the shape of a new vehicle every year.

Tom lived his life without regret, always at 100 mph. After working 12 hour days, he would still meet the guys for poker on Mondays. He loved woodworking and flipping cars and trucks.  Most of all, he loved his son, Zak. Tom and Zak would spend hours driving around looking for garage sales and the next big deal of a lifetime. They have a bond between them not even death can break.

Tom was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease on April 6, 2011. He vowed to never let the disease define him. He lived every second of his life unapologetically. Eventually, the Parkinson’s began to wear on his body, forcing him to slow down. He suffered a great deal, silently, his last two years, in constant, unimaginable pain. He was too proud to ask for help and never wanted to burden others with his problems. He found comfort in his pets, including dogs, all 17 stray cats he began feeding outside his window (three of which became inside cats), and the massive bucks that would stand outside his window waiting for seed and corn.

Survivors include his wife, Justine Witkowski; son, Zachary; mother, Adrienne Costanza; aunts, Angela Gudmundson and Janet Costanza; cousins, James, Erin and Joseph; father-in-law and “favorite mother-in-law,” James and Patricia Dyers; brothers-in-law, James (Angela Solis) Dyers and John (Loralee) Dyers; nephews, Jackson and Hudson; lifelong friend, Scott Sedlin; friend-who-became-family, Ryan Vandeburg; along with all of his poker buddies and many, many other extended family members and friends.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to help Justine and Zak during this tragic time.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128.