Thomas Eugene Belleau, 83, passed away peacefully after a long battle with cancer on October 6, 2019. He was born on July 7, 1936 in Menominee, Michigan to the late Mose and Mary Belleau. Tom married Dorothy Schiltz on June 21, 1958 at St. Mary’s Maplewood. He served in the Army Reserves from 1956 to 1963 as a Sergeant E2. Following in his fathers’ footsteps he bought a bakery in Neillsvillle, Wisconsin where he started his future career as a baker extra ordinaire. When his father Mose decided to retire in 1974 it came down to who had the high card between Tom and his brother Jim. Tom won out and the Pastry Shoppe in Kewaunee, Wisconsin now became Tom’s Pastry Shoppe. Tom and Dorothy ran that business for over 40 years baking and serving the community with a passion that could only be met by his wit and sense of humor that could brighten anyone’s day. All year round he worked hard making their amazing products through the night then headed out in his van to deliver them to local businesses and around the entire Door County area. Tom made a point to build relationships with everyone he met no matter if they were the bartender (oh he liked his Martini’s and they always made his stories better), wait staff, cook or the manager/owner. Tom’s love for people was truly a blessing to all. When you didn’t find him working you could find him out golfing all summer long or bowling in the winter. Tom also discovered a love for photography and really enjoyed taking pictures of nature, especially birds. He was also very much involved in the community with his work with the Lion Club and the Jaycees. Tom’s impact on the community and unconditional love for all will be missed by anyone who ever met him.
Tom is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dorothy; his children Jon Belleau, and Barb Belleau; grandchildren Jason Bertrand, Aidan Belleau and Alex Faulk; brother Jim Belleau; sisters Lynn Jisa, Mary Jean Schwenk, and Ruth Fuersten; daughter-in-law Christine Faulk; brothers-in-law Jim Schwenk, Dennis Jisa, Vernon Kinnard; sisters-in-law Dawn Belleau, Sue Belleau, Judy Schiltz, Betty Kinnard, Jean Thayse and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents Mose and Mary Belleau; sister Barbara Belleau; brother Don Belleau; brother-in-law Allen Thayse; son-in-law Casey Bertrand.
Tom wanted to extend a specific thank you to the staff at Linden Manor in Kewaunee: Kathy Tulachka R.N., Mary Kay Messmann, Laurie Skocir, Deb Frea, Maggie Willems, Cindy Negrete, Tammy Wildegrube, Gabby Havlovitz, Heather Schnick, Michele Pelnar, Abby Swallow, Victoria Krentz, and Amanda Ullmann. They were incredible in how they cared for him and the love they gave to him during his stay there. He also wanted to thank the staff of Unity Hospice, Chaplain Mark for your prayers, Jenny and Heather, for taking such good care of him and his specific thanks to Krystal “the cleaning lady”. The family feels blessed to have had such a wonderful group of people to care for Tom and to continue to look over and care for Dorothy as this was so important to him.
Friends may call after 9:00 a.m. Monday, October 14 at Holy Rosary Church, 519 Kilbourn St., Kewaunee until the time of services. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. James Dillenburg at 11:00 a.m. followed by full Military Rites.
