Thomas J. Cichowski, 71

Thomas J. Cichowski passed away in his Kalispell home Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015.

Memorial services will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Outlaw Inn 1701 U.S. 93 South, Kalispell; 406-755-6100.

Tom was born on June 13,1944, to Henry and Jennie Cichowski in New Britain, Connecticut. He grew up in Southington, Connecticut, where he enjoyed country life and excelled in sports. He attended university in Maryland on a football scholarship. While studying in Maryland, he met his wife Carolyn. He later played professional football for the Green Bay Packers and then the Denver Broncos.

When he lived in the Denver area he began to study the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and was baptized in 1972. When looking for a place to raise their young family, Tom and Carolyn decided to move to Kalispell in 1976 as the area offered many opportunities to practice the ministry of the Bible and enjoy wholesome outdoor activities.  

Tom is well known in Kalispell for the Bible education work he enjoyed. He happily served as an appointed congregation elder in the valley for many years. He worked in the area as a general contractor building custom homes and renovating. Tom enjoyed hunting, trapping, horsemanship and exploring wilderness areas with his friends and family.

At his death he is survived by his wife of 50 years, Carolyn; his sons, Bryan and Todd with their wives; and his siblings, Jean Sanders, Henry “Hank” Cichowski and Paul Cichowski.

The Cichowski family would like to thank the local congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses for their loyal support and Dr. Wagner and the Flathead Oncology clinic for their tender care.