Thomas Lorentz Pomeroy

life story

Beloved husband, dad, papa & friend. Avid bicyclist, haggler & joker.

Thomas Lorentz Pomeroy passed away peacefully with his family by his side at his residence on Thursday, February 24, 2022 after a short battle with lung cancer.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents Lorentz Donald “Pom” & Eleanor "Marie" (Gray) Pomeroy and his brother, William Pomeroy.

Tom is survived by his wife Phyllis Pomeroy of Brooklyn Center, MN and their three children: Michelle (Sam) Riesgraf of Stockholm, Wisconsin, Scott (Kristi) Pomeroy of Brooklyn Park, MN and Jeff Pomeroy of Brooklyn Center, MN; seven grandchildren: Griffin, Fritz, Atticus, Juniper and Georgia Riesgraf and Tylin and Attilyn Pomeroy; and a sister Annette (Jim) Horner of Florida.

Thomas served in the United States Marine Corp and attained the rank of Sgt. during the Viet Nam War. While in the USMC Thomas earned a Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal and a Viet Nam Service Medal. He was proud to be a marine and proud to have served his country during war time.

Tom worked at Jefferson Lines for many years as well as other transportation service companies. Upon partial retirement Tom opened his own D.O.T. Safety Compliance Consultant service.

Thomas was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on March 15, 1943. His family relocated to the south when Tom was 7 years old. He spent the rest of his childhood between Lakeland, Florida, New Orleans, Louisiana and Mobile, Alabama. He graduated from McGill Catholic High School in Mobile, Alabama in 1963. After a short time in seminary in New York City, Thomas joined the Marine Corp. After completing his tour of duty in Chu Lai, Viet Nam Tom moved back to Minnesota where his birth family had relocated while he was in the USMC.

In Minneapolis his brother Bill introduced Tom to his girlfriend Bonnie Stanton (Urbia) and to Bonnie’s good friend Phyllis Manikowski. The bothers later married the good friends: Tom was married to Phyllis on June 8, 1968. Tom called Phyllis his “rock.” They were loyal to one another and best friends through good and hard times for 53 years. In “retirement” Tom and Phyllis enjoyed spending time together in Lanesboro, MN and exploring new Bed and Breakfasts.

Tom had many interests. As a young man, Tom raced midget and sprint stock cars with his bother Bill and brother in-law Jim. Tom earned the Rookie of the Year trophy. When he had young children he liked to take the family to see car races at Cedar Lake, Elko and Raceway Park. When his children were adults, Tom’s son Scott took up car racing and Tom enjoyed being his crew chief. Tom and his sons took special trips together to the Iowa Speedway during the summer to watch a race series. Tom and his son Jeff enjoyed their last trip to the Iowa Speedway together in the summer of 2020.

When Tom and Phyllis’ children were young adults Tom and his children all took up mountain bike racing. They enjoyed racing at the Chequamegon Fat Tire Festival, many other local races and riding bikes together whenever they could. When Tom grew older he moved into road bike racing. He joined the Twin Cities Bicycle Club, made many friends there and led many rides for others. When Tom was in his late 70’s he, with his best biking buddy David, completed 2 multi-day MS Rides Across MN and completed the Katy Trail - a 5 day, 240 mile ride across Missouri from St. Louis to Kansas City. Tom had many medals and age group awards for all of his bike racing. He won a bronze medal in the Senior Games of Minnesota this past summer and was looking forward to competing in the National Senior Games this spring.

Tom and Phyllis ensured their young family took camping trips each summer. Favorite trips included Itasca State Park, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and Mackinac Island, northern Wisconsin, South Dakota and Wyoming. As the family grew older and grandchildren came along they were included in the family vacations as well. Tom and Phyllis enjoyed a last vacation together with Michelle and her family exploring Virginia’s historical locations this past fall.

His family has made many memories together that they hold near and dear to their hearts.

Have you ever heard of the Kush-Maker?! Do you know what a 500 lb canary says?! Do you know how to get the cheapest Christmas tree? These questions all sum up Tom’s personality .

Although he lost his battle with cancer he won his battle in life!

Road to Eternity

Life is but a stopping place,

A pause in what's to be,

A resting place along the road,

To Sweet Eternity.

We all have different journeys,

Different paths along the way,

We all were meant to learn

Some things,

But never meant to stay...

Our destination is a place,

Far greater than we know,

For some the journey's quicker

For some, the journey's slow.

But when a journey

Finally ends,

We'll claim a great reward,

And find an everlasting peace,

Together with the Lord.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

March 14, 2022

St Alphonsus Catholic Church 7025 Halifax Ave N, Brooklyn Center, MN 55429, USA

Mass at 11:00 am with lunch to follow.

Please come prepared to share some of your favorite stories and jokes!