Ruzicka, Thomas “Tom”

Thomas (“Tom”) Robert Ruzicka died on August 24, 2023, after a struggle with lung disease. He was 70 years old.  A son, a brother, a father, and a friend, Tom is missed.

Tom is survived by his four sons and their spouses; Derek & Christina, Simon, Morgan & Melinda, and Thomas; his six grandchildren, and his three sisters, Ruthann, Susan, and Regina.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence (“Larry”) and Elizabeth (“Betty”), and his two brothers, Jerry, and David.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on May 21, 1953, to Lawrence Ruzicka and Elizabeth “Betty” (Lang) Ruzicka, he was raised in St. Stephens Protomartyr parish in South St. Louis. He and his five siblings (brothers Jerry and David; sisters Ruthann, Susan, and Regina) were often seen playing with friends and each other near their home on Bowen St. In his youth, growing up in the Holly Hills area, Tom made close friends, many of whom he kept for his entire life.

Tom appreciated hard work and dedication as well.  Tom graduated from Cleveland High School in 1971 and attended a semester of college on a football scholarship, before choosing a career as an electrician and, eventually, an electrical contractor.  As a contractor, Tom owned and operated several electrical contracting companies, the most successful of which was Ruzicka Electric & Sons, Inc.  His companies were well known in the St. Louis area, having helped build apartments, hotels, nursing homes, and many commercial properties.

Always an optimist, Tom loved to speak wistfully of his childhood but also of the future.  His family and friends knew him to often share the phrase, “Life is good,” with a smile on his face.  He loved to cook for his family and friends and his weekends were usually spent surrounded by them.  Even in his later years, despite encountering difficult times, he would still repeat his motto.

Tom earned his private pilot’s license in the 2000s, flying his family and friends on ski trips and beach getaways.  Throughout his life, he tried sculpting, saxophone, gardening, and many other hobbies.  When his sons were young, his weekends also included part-time go-kart mechanic, trampoline repairman, water gun filler, bottle-rocket purchaser, and fatherly wisdom deliverer. Some of his Tom-isms included, “Family is what you can depend on,” “Always have a plan B,” and “Don’t hit your brother.”

Tom lived his life on his own terms, and he passed on his own terms.  When he was diagnosed with aggressive lung disease, he chose to live his life how he wanted, sometimes even despite protests from his sons.  A stubborn soul to the end, Tom suffered an assault in 2014 that was great cause for concern. Rather than give up, he lived almost a decade longer, which allowed him to meet even his youngest grandson.  Known as “Papa Tom,” he was always delighted to hear about his grandkids and the success of his sons.

A graveside memorial service will be held at Saint Paul Churchyard located at 7600 Rock Hill Rd., Affton, Missouri, on September 9, 2023, beginning at 11am, where he will be buried next to his parents and one of his brothers. Family and friends are welcome to attend.