Thomas Edwin Plass

Thomas Edwin Plass, age 71, entered into Eternal life on December 29th, 2024 with his wife Jean and brother Charles by his side following an unexpected rare illness. Thomas was born January 31, 1953 in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin to Leo and Helen (Dietzler) Plass. He resided in Boyd, WI. He learned his Catholic faith from his parents and the sisters and priests at St. Joseph’s Catholic school. He graduated from Stanley-Boyd High School in 1971, then attended Eau Claire Technical School for 2 years followed by the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and joined P & H Harnischfeger, a crane manufacturer in Milwaukee, WI. He worked on overhead cranes for Harnischfeger and its offshoots for over 40 years before retiring and settling in Salisbury, NC. Tom was a mentor to many colleagues. He excelled in repairing customers’ large cranes on site which led him to many exciting “adventures” throughout the Americas. Tom’s work ethic was second to none. He liked doing things the old-school way, relying on a plumb-bob and fishline instead of the new technology. Tom was a kind and generous man helping family and friends out during hard times. We brought our Parish Priest with us to Italy for the ArchBishop’s appointment to a Cardinal by the Pope. Tom and his wife Jean loved traveling the world. They went to many pilgrimages, including Oberammergau, Fatima, Lourdes, Spain, and Israel with niece Amy. Tom shared his love of steam trains with his great nephews, Michael and Eli, with a train ride through the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. Then there are the countless trips he made with his wife around the US, Egypt, Europe, their special love of Hawaii, and of course, back home to Boyd, WI. Thomas is survived by Jean, his devoted wife of 35 years, brothers Charles, James (Pat), Stephen (Penny), brother-in-law Maurice Costello (Debra), sisters-in-law Ann Costello and Mary Ellen McEwen (Thomas deceased). Thomas is also survived by nieces and nephews Michael Plass (Heather), Bryan Plass (Miriam), Jeremiah Plass-Johnson, Zach McCarty (Amanda), Alexa Bach (Eldred), Nathaniel Plass, Amy Larson (Kurt), Kevin Costello, Jeffrey Kumbera, Andrew Kumbera, and Bradley Kumbera. Thomas was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation is at 10:00am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane in Salisbury, NC, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am on Monday, January 6, 2025. Burial will be at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church cemetery. Facebook and YouTube live stream links can be found on the church website: https://salisburycatholic.org/ In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders), Dept. 5930, PO Box 4110, Woburn, MA 01888.

Thomas Edwin Plass

January 31, 1953 - December 29, 2024