Obituaries

Tom Phalin, 59, of Crystal Lake, Avid Outdoorsman, Pilot, Sailor

A wake visitation will be held at 11 a.m. followed by a prayer service at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14, at Davenport Funeral Home in Crystal Lake.

 

Tom Phalin, 59, of Crystal Lake, passed away suddenly, Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012, losing his courageous battle with a long-term disabling illness.

Tom was born July 8, 1953, in Rockford.

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He was a 1971 graduate of Crystal Lake Community High School, where he was active in sports and music. He attended Southern Illinois University, and was passionate about his lifelong career in the surveying industry. He retired as project manager for Western States Surveying and Engineering in Parker, Col. in 2008 due to his illness.

Tom resided in Crystal Lake until moving to Colorado in 1983.

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He was a lifelong resident in Parker until his retirement. Tom loved adventure and obtained his solo flying license before the age of 16. His greatest love was sailing. He spent much of his time at the Frisco, Col. marina on Lake Dillon with his sailboat, C'est la Vie.

An avid outdoorsman, he frequented the Colorado Rockies skiing, hiking, four-wheeling and camping. All visits to Tom were accompanied by the wonderful music of Les Paul, Frank Sinatra and many others. He was a talented cook and provided many a feast for friends and family.

Tom leaves behind his cherished daughter, Kelsey, Colorado Springs, Col.; her fiancé, Justin Wilson, Littleton, Col.; his close friend and mother of their daughter, Lorin Phalin, Frisco, Col.; his parents, Donald and Arline Phalin, Crystal Lake; his brothers, Tim Phalin, Crystal Lake and Michael (Andrea) Phalin, Harrisburg, IL; his sisters, Lori Phalin, Crystal Lake and Deborah (Steve) Moen, Oswego, IL; his nephews Connor and Cooper Phalin, Harrisburg, IL, Ryan (Tara) Moen, Geneva, IL, Christa Phalin, Marquette, Mich. and great niece Ava Moen. He is also survived by his faithful and lifelong friends, David Jennings, Woodstock, Ill. and William Sather, Lone Tree, Col. 

He was preceded in death by his infant son, Brian; his sister, Sandra Phalin; and his nephew, Joel Moen.

His family would like to extend a special thanks to the supportive assistance and staff of Amedysis Home Health of Crystal Lake and Oswego, Crystal Pines and Springs of Crystal Lake Rehabilitation Centers, Dr. Joseph Fojtik, Dr. Robert Maleki, and nurse, Terri; Dr. Aleksander Videnovic at Northwestern University Medical Center Movement Disorders Program, Heartland Medical Supply and recently the physicians and staff of Dreyer Medical Clinic, Oswego, Ill. and special thanks to his caregiver Valerie Young.

A wake visitation beginning at 11 a.m. followed by a prayer service at 2 p.m. will be held on Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, at Davenport Funeral Home, 419 E. Route 176, Crystal Lake.

Interment will be private.


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