Thomas A. Rectorschek

Thomas A. Rectorschek, a lifetime resident of Findlay, passed away Jan. 31, at his home. He is best known for being an avid fan of Ohio State football - so much so that he wore scarlet-colored pants, emblazoned with gray buckeyes whenever he wanted to. In his estimation the Saturday before the Thanksgiving weekend should have been designated as a national holiday. Always an at-home chef, his Journey’s End Vegetable soup was a staple on a cold winter day. His potato soup that he cooked by following a recipe his mother, Eva, gave him, was a cure for anything. An incredibly kind animal lover and a really good person, Tom was the guy who took in the strays. He gave dogs, Schekie, Jewellie, Flakey, and Gonzo; and the white-as-snow cat, Flakey, the best years of their lives.

Tom’s favorite three places were the pool in his own backyard in the summer, any Lake Erie harbor or beach, and Key West. He designed the pool with lots of places to lounge so he could have his own resort. It was always a gathering place for family and friends because of Tom’s welcoming hospitality. Pam and Mark Dillion’s family learned to swim in “Uncle” Tom’s pool.

He spent many years at “The Lake.” First when he and his best friend Jon Mcclincy were single and eligible, and bought a 36-foot inboard Chris Craft with ample space for entertaining. They named the boat “After You.” A very clever move since they were prepared when asked the name of their boat (usually by a girl, usually in a bar) to tell her: “We named it After You.” After getting out of boating, he vacationed on Sand Road just outside of Port Clinton and later spent time cruising the Lake Erie islands with friends.

More recently he spent some winter months in Key West visiting his favorite places, Sloppy Joe’s, Irish Kevins and The Bull with his friends, including Becky and John Mcclincy and the late Bryan Ottney. Tom usually arranged his time there to coincide with the annual Put-In-Bay Days in Key West and vice versa to celebrate Key West Days at Put-in-Bay.

Tom attended The Ohio State University and graduated from the University of Findlay. He decided to stay in Findlay and joined RCA as the quality control manager. He continued in that position, until he retired. Known for being a great manager to work with, many of his co-workers were still friends.

He was born in Findlay, Feb. 6, 1940, to the late Eva (Withrow) and Arthur Rectorschek. He is survived by his beloved terrier-Pekinese mix, Augie; his sister, Julia Porter Davis, Findlay, OH; nieces, Laurie Porter Crofts (Scott), Bolivar, OH and Carolyn Davis Trozzi (Rob), Sycamore, PA; and nephews, Bill Porter, Findlay, OH, and Jon (Jennifer) Davis, Cleveland Heights, OH; and his former wife, Cheryl Owen, Fort Myers, FL. Also surviving are friends of many years, including Becky and Jon Mcclincy, Pam and Mark Dillion, Brian VanLeer, Laura and Eric Nissan, Tom Stuard and the Wooley Bulley, Yucatan, and Cue gangs.

A celebration of Tom’s life will be held at a date to be determined. Hufford Family Funeral Home, 1500 Manor Hill Rd., Findlay, Ohio 45840 (419) 422-1500, has been entrusted with the arrangements.