Thomas Braley
May 30, 1957 - June 29, 2024
Obituary
Heaven just got a whole lot louder and the choir is better than ever. Thomas Alan Braley, age 67, of Saginaw, unexpectedly went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 29, 2024. The son of Harold and Ruth (Giacoletti) Braley, Tom was born May 30, 1957, in Saginaw, Michigan. He married Stephanie Petrowski on August 7, 2010.
Full of energy from the start, Tom played football at Hemlock High School all four years. He was quick to tell everyone, “We never lost a game!” He was a proud graduate with the class of 1975. Tom went on to obtain his bachelor's degree from Saginaw Valley State University, all the while singing his heart out as the lead singer of the band Westwood. He earned his master's degree in finance from the University of Phoenix and also obtained his CIMA Certification from the Wharton School of Business. Tom had a career in Wealth Management for nearly 40 years before purchasing the historic Court Street Theater with his wife, Stephanie, in 2017. As co-owners, they brought the theater back to life with beautiful renovations, movie showings, and procuring live performances.
Tom cared deeply about his community and giving back. He served on numerous boards in various positions, including Past President of the Rotary Club of Downtown Saginaw, Past President of Positive Results Downtown, Inc. (PRIDE), Past President of the Saginaw Club, CAN Council, Promise Zone, 100 Club, and Fordney Club. He was part of the Saginaw Leadership Academy Class of 2010 and he received the Spirit of Saginaw Award in 2019. Tom served on the Investment Committee for the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan.
Tom had a true zest for life and unmatched energy. He had many passions in life, but among the top was singing and entertaining. Tom seized every opportunity to sing, whether it was with his band in college, Bay Chorale, as a cantor for St. Stephen Catholic Church or SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, on stage, karaoke, leading the National Anthem in Las Vegas and at Saginaw Spirit Games, or even while mowing his lawn. His voice was as close to Steve Perry as anyone could get and he could truly sing anything from Ave Maria to Highway to Hell. Tom also enjoyed caring meticulously for his yard and lawn. He was happiest while grilling (he made a perfect steak), hosting family and friends at Christmas, catching the latest Lakers, Rams, or Tigers game, and spending time on Lake Superior in Au Train - his happy place. Tom was committed to his church, his community, and his family. He had a good heart, was always willing to go out of his way to help anyone in any way, and really never knew a stranger. He was a dedicated family man, and if you knew Tom, you knew that his daughter, Sabina, was the greatest love of his life. Of everything Tom treasured in life, he loved his family the most.
Tom is survived by his wife, Stephanie Braley; children, Sabina Braley (Reid Grantham); Shelby Bielas (James Thao), Alex Barnard (Hope Adams), and Asheton Barnard; siblings, Ed (Paula) Braley, Scott (Stacey) Braley, Dan (Angela Voge) Braley, Linda (Bill) Lewis, Connie (Glen Hatcher) Minnich, and Nancy Braley; brothers-in-law, Joseph (Jamie) Petrowski, Ben Honson, and Ken (Cassie) Honson; mother-in-law, Joetta Russell; aunt, Zita Giacoletti; several cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Dave Braley.
Visitation will take place Tuesday July 2, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at St. Dominic Catholic Parish (St. Stephen Catholic Church Site), 2711 Mackinaw Street, Saginaw, MI 48602, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. Richard John will officiate. Burial will take place at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Saginaw.
Tom's family kindly requests that guests attending his services forgo wearing black. Tom could light up a room and while we will miss him immensely, we wish to celebrate his life and personality, so please opt for light, bright colors.
Memorials in honor of Tom may be made to his family to be distributed at their discretion.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com
Full of energy from the start, Tom played football at Hemlock High School all four years. He was quick to tell everyone, “We never lost a game!” He was a proud graduate with the class of 1975. Tom went on to obtain his bachelor's degree from Saginaw Valley State University, all the while singing his heart out as the lead singer of the band Westwood. He earned his master's degree in finance from the University of Phoenix and also obtained his CIMA Certification from the Wharton School of Business. Tom had a career in Wealth Management for nearly 40 years before purchasing the historic Court Street Theater with his wife, Stephanie, in 2017. As co-owners, they brought the theater back to life with beautiful renovations, movie showings, and procuring live performances.
Tom cared deeply about his community and giving back. He served on numerous boards in various positions, including Past President of the Rotary Club of Downtown Saginaw, Past President of Positive Results Downtown, Inc. (PRIDE), Past President of the Saginaw Club, CAN Council, Promise Zone, 100 Club, and Fordney Club. He was part of the Saginaw Leadership Academy Class of 2010 and he received the Spirit of Saginaw Award in 2019. Tom served on the Investment Committee for the Catholic Community Foundation of Mid-Michigan.
Tom had a true zest for life and unmatched energy. He had many passions in life, but among the top was singing and entertaining. Tom seized every opportunity to sing, whether it was with his band in college, Bay Chorale, as a cantor for St. Stephen Catholic Church or SS. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, on stage, karaoke, leading the National Anthem in Las Vegas and at Saginaw Spirit Games, or even while mowing his lawn. His voice was as close to Steve Perry as anyone could get and he could truly sing anything from Ave Maria to Highway to Hell. Tom also enjoyed caring meticulously for his yard and lawn. He was happiest while grilling (he made a perfect steak), hosting family and friends at Christmas, catching the latest Lakers, Rams, or Tigers game, and spending time on Lake Superior in Au Train - his happy place. Tom was committed to his church, his community, and his family. He had a good heart, was always willing to go out of his way to help anyone in any way, and really never knew a stranger. He was a dedicated family man, and if you knew Tom, you knew that his daughter, Sabina, was the greatest love of his life. Of everything Tom treasured in life, he loved his family the most.
Tom is survived by his wife, Stephanie Braley; children, Sabina Braley (Reid Grantham); Shelby Bielas (James Thao), Alex Barnard (Hope Adams), and Asheton Barnard; siblings, Ed (Paula) Braley, Scott (Stacey) Braley, Dan (Angela Voge) Braley, Linda (Bill) Lewis, Connie (Glen Hatcher) Minnich, and Nancy Braley; brothers-in-law, Joseph (Jamie) Petrowski, Ben Honson, and Ken (Cassie) Honson; mother-in-law, Joetta Russell; aunt, Zita Giacoletti; several cousins, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, Dave Braley.
Visitation will take place Tuesday July 2, 2024, from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Fischer Family Funeral Home, 504 N. Michigan Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48602. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, at St. Dominic Catholic Parish (St. Stephen Catholic Church Site), 2711 Mackinaw Street, Saginaw, MI 48602, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. Rev. Fr. Richard John will officiate. Burial will take place at St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery, Saginaw.
Tom's family kindly requests that guests attending his services forgo wearing black. Tom could light up a room and while we will miss him immensely, we wish to celebrate his life and personality, so please opt for light, bright colors.
Memorials in honor of Tom may be made to his family to be distributed at their discretion.
For information, please call Fischer Family Funeral Services at (989) 755-8277. To express your condolences, please visit www.fischerfuneral.com
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Memories
SE
Sue Estes
Other •
I have known Tom since our time in the brokerage business together. Since then I saw his happy face at the Court Theater and at Choral Society events. He will be missed. Blessings to the Braley family.
Sue Estes
RK
Ruth Kolodziej
Other •
Tom did wonderful things for his fellow Catholics in Saginaw by the religious movies he provided.. I didn't know him but you could see his loving spirit behind that popcorn stand. Thank you Tom. You now are with God and Mother Theresa.
MS
Mark Schroeder
Other •
Like many friends & family, I am stunned by Tom’s passing. Tom was the reason I have worked in Saginaw for so many years. I was always grateful for his generosity, support, love of family and sense of quick witted humor. A one of a kind man who worked hard, laughed hard, cared deeply and gave back to his beloved community. I will miss my friend dearly. God bless you Tom. Thank you for our friendship. Peace and comfort to Stephanie, Sabina and the Braley family.
DL
Dale Lachance
Other •
TOM YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED I'M GOING TO MISS OUR LITTLE TALKS AND ADVICE YOU GAVE ME,
AND I'M NEVER GOING TO FORGET THE FUN ROAD TRIP TO SEE YOUR FRIEND IN A BAD.
THANKS FOR BEING A FRIEND TOM
E(
Elaine Tambouridis (fuzzys)
Other •
Words cannot express the sadness we all feel of Tom’s passing. He was a frequent customer at Fuzzys and was always joyful and uplifting. My heart goes out to his family and pray for you during this most difficult time.
DJ
Daniel Johnson
Other •
I too am shocked by his passing. We graduated high school together. will remember Tom for pounding on the dashboard playing drums and his quick witted sense of humor along with having a nickname for everyone.