Thomas “Tom” Kalapinski Jr., 69, passed away suddenly on September 23, 2025, leaving behind a family who loved him and a life filled with stories, laughter, and countless hours spent under the hood of a car.
Tom was the loving husband of Mary Ellen (nee Boyd) Kalapinski, of nearly 41 years; proud father of Ellen (Phil) Diven, Lori, and Sheila; proud Papa of Charlotte, Callahan, and Campbell, who brought him endless joy and happiness; dear brother of Dave Kalapinski, Debbie (Ivan) Juric, and the late Gary Kalapinski; and son of the late Thomas Sr. and Helen (Serafin) Kalapinski. Tom was also a brother-in-law, uncle, nephew, cousin and friend to many.
Tom was a proud North and South Side guy, known to many simply as “Foot.” Whether you knew him from the neighborhood, the garage, swap meets, or car shows, chances are you had a story about Tom — probably one that ended in a laugh. He had a sharp wit and a way with words — always talking, always joking, and usually telling you something about cars, whether you asked or not.
Tom’s love of classic cars wasn’t just a hobby — it was a part of who he was. He spent countless hours in his garage tinkering, trading parts, or working on his next project, always chasing the next great find, or the perfect set of wheels and tires.
Tom loved going to car shows, grabbing a good pizza, watching Svengoolie on Saturday nights, and catching a game (as long as his team was winning). But more than anything, Tom loved being with his family. One of his greatest joys was watching his grandkids play sports — you could often hear him cheering them on from the sidelines.
Tom was funny without trying, quick with a comeback, and had a way of making ordinary moments feel special. His sudden passing leaves a deep hole in the hearts of those who loved him, but the stories, the laughs, and the sound of a revving engine will always bring him back to us.
Visitation; At Kutis South County Chapel (5255 Lemay Ferry) on Fri. 10/10 from 4-7PM. With funeral mass at St. John’s Catholic Church (Imperial) on Sat. at 10AM. Private interment Calvary Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116 or diabetes.org.