My dad... i’ve got so much to say about him. Let me start this with he was my world, a bold statement but accurate. He was my human alarm clock and woke me up every single day for school, he was the first voice I heard in the morning and always said, “Wake up Sweetie! Have a great day. I love you bunches!” Waking up to a call like that started my day on a positive note. My dad was my best friend and dad all in one too. That man knew everything about me, and we talked about everything. I even went to him when I had boy troubles, or just wanted a laugh, and he never failed to make me cry laughing. He was a rare man and I am beyond blessed to have spent 16 years of my life with him, they were the best. What I always admired about my father was how he had a heart of gold, and that he was such a rare person (I mean i’ve never met anyone quite like him). 

          He could make anyone laugh and smile (even strangers) with just a few simple words. My dad would best be described as the sunshine on a cloudy day, since he was always having a positive attitude no matter what was happening, he truly had the best outlook on life. He never believed in a bad day either, he just thought some days were better than others. My dad and I shared the best memories, laughs, and stories that I will cherish for the rest of my life. He made the biggest impact in my life, and I hope one day I can do the same for someone. My heart hurts without seeing or hearing from him in just shy over a week, but as he taught me there is a positive to every negative. I now have the hands down greatest guardian angel to guide me through life, so I know he will keep me in line too. I never knew what a bad day was until I lost my dad, but I am thankful that he taught me everything to get through life. He always stressed that I have to be strong, so this is the time I need to take his life lessons 101 and put it to use.

    He also stressed that I always need to go outside of my comfort zone in order to grow. My dad went skydiving, scuba diving, tried every food, traveled everywhere and anywhere, and everything in between. He truly had no limits or fears which rubbed off on me. Right now, without my dad I am out of my comfort zone but I am trying my very best to see the positives in life. I am still in shock from this past week but I find comfort in knowing my dad always has my back. He always told me he’d always be there for me and bat when I am unable to do so, and he is staying true to his word. I honestly am the luckiest child in the world to have been given my dad. He was THE funniest, most compassionate, loving man in the world with a heart that was so rare. I remember from the moment that a blender fell on my head in preschool and broke, when he came sprinting into the kitchen after he would always have my back. To be honest, I’m unsure if I was crying because I was in pain or I broke my dads favorite blender. Right after I was sitting on his lap crying and then I started patting his back. We both immediately started laughing since I was patting his back while I was the one crying. A silly memory, but defiantly one for the books. 

  To sum up, my dad was the greatest role model and best friend I could ever imagine. To be honest, he exceeded the limits for being the single-handily best person around, but I hope one day I can come close to being as great as he was. To my best friend, I know you’re making everyone inheaven as happy as you made everyone here. I will miss you forever but can’t wait to get a hug from you the moment we meet again. 

    I love you bunches, 

Mags

 I was transferred to Chicago from Texas when our company acquired the company LANmind that Tom worked for.    All of the employees were suspicious of my presence there and assumed I was there to assess them and fire them.   Everyone except for Tom.    He immediately welcomed me to the company and made me feel comfortable.    He and I became fast friends and I used to tell him that he was my FIRST chicago friend.   He had a way of doing that with people.    Tom and I shared an office and would spend our days laughing and laughing.    As everyone knows he worked so hard but loved a good story and laugh.  He adored his kids and spent so much time telling me about them over the years.    For the last 20 plus years he never forgot my birthday and was quick to check in with me about my own family and kids.  Our standard greeting during these calls was “well hello there”.    I am so saddened for the Duhig family to hear this news ....especially for his children.     I also lost my father when he was young.   Please Know that his spirit lives on in you three.    He is always with you.   What a role model Tom was for all of us.    He will he missed.    

Tommy and Margaret had the best back yard in Palos.  I don’t remember how I bullied them into having us all over for a movie party.  I just remember being excited about having a projector and a movie screen and I wanted to go back to the old days when we all would hop the Zayer parking lot and go into the Drive In with my big convertible.  Tommy agreed to have us all over and we watched Stripes on the big screen.  It was the most beautiful night out, and their backyard was awesome and  l remember buying a garage bag full of popcorn that nobody ate.  After many drinks at the end of the night Tim Earner fell off the picnic bench and landed in the huge bag of popcorn.  I remember how appreciative I was to Tommy for letting us come over and it was a fun night to remember.  It’s so surreal to me that he’s gone.  I will miss you, and our fun times at all the 70’s parties, but I will always have a smile on my face when I think of you!!!!  

PS.  Hands down / Tommy had the best 70’s outfit at one of the first 70’sParties!!!

Love ya Tommy,

Michelle Pranckus 

Tom-You know I’ve never been much of a writer, but here goes it. You came into my life at the early age of 19, and you only 24 years old. You were my first true love. We had quite a memorable journey together, we had thought we had everything figured out...we learned a lot about each other and life in general. We have three beautiful children together that have many of your traits; your outgoingness, charisma, intelligence, and sense of humor. Fortunately, they inherited my good looks....LOL. I am positive you will be able to guide, comfort, and help party plan from heaven. It will be very difficult for us to be without you in our physical life. Although, I know that you are probably already making deals with “Clarence” from up above, and you’ll send us strength, love, and signs that your watching over us. Fond memories, oh there are so many! One that comes to mind is “ I wish I had a million dollars!” “ Hot Dog!” Cheers to a Wonderful Life! You will be missed dearly.

To the entire Duhig family. I am so very sorry for your loss. Words cannot describe how saddened and shocked I was after hearing of Tom's passing. He was a great man and I feel blessed to have been his friend for so many years. Rarely did a few weeks go by that I did not talk to Tom. A few years ago, after my Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and given only a few months to live, Tom called me every few days until she passed. He gave me words of encouragement and support that meant more to me than he could have ever known. He called me every year on my birthday. We shared a million laughs over the years. We were in just about every class together at Brother Rice. We sat at the same lunch table and would walk to his house often after school to just hang out. I can go on and on about all of the great times we had over the years but that would take way too long so I would like to end this by saying....Meghan, Tommy and Maggie, I want to let you know that your father was crazy proud of all of you. You were his world. I only say this because he would always talk about you guys and think I know more about you 3 than I do my own kids! I know your hearts ache and during this difficult time my family will continue to pray for all of you. R.I.P. Tom.

I was lucky enough to meet Tommy about 20 years ago through my good friend, Katie Walsh. Katie always beamed with pride when talking about her, “cousin Tommy.”  Like all of us, I was saddened and shocked to hear about the passing of our friend Tom.

Tom was one of the good guys. In fact, whenever I bumped into someone that knew Tom, that’s exactly what they’d say: “Tom is such a good guy!”  He really was! He was real & authentic. He was kind & compassionate. He was witty & funny as Hell! I loved being near him at a party! He always had the best one liners! 

Speaking of one liners, I thought about Tommy over the weekend as people were running in the Chicago Marathon. One October afternoon some years ago, we sat together in a friends backyard having some adult beverages. We were discussing the Marathon & talking about how crazy those people must be to run 26.2 miles (no offense to you runners - we were just jealous). Tommy said to me, “Molly, I think we need to be Marathon drinkers today.” We decided it was our duty to stay “hydrated.” So silly. But so fun! 

My deepest condolences to Tommy’s family. 

You will be missed, my friend. Until we meet again...

M. McCarthy

There are too many stories that make me smile to possibly list in one place.  I remember the first time I met Tommy's sister Maureen, I had just moved into Oak Lawn in mid August and started the 5th grade that September.  She and I became friends.  Then I saw a guy in the 4th grade that looked like her twin and it was Tommy.  It wasn't long before my family and I knew the entire Duhig clan.  Tommy, was always smiling and whether he meant to be or not, he was the center of attention in most gatherings. It was natural, people gravitated towards him. He was probably the baby that all of the little old ladies came up to at the grocery store too!!  What I remember most are his qualities, He loved his family and always had their back.  He was that way with friends as well.  Tommy would fight for the under dog and take them under his wing.  As a father, he bragged and loved his children beyond measure.  He was hysterical and a great person to have fun with, but he also had a really deep side that occasionally others saw.  Smart, funny, loyal and loving...those are adjectives that fit Tom.  I will miss him and I look forward to meeting him on the other side one day.

Not long after I heard the sad news, this song came on my playlist and brought some tears. Thought I would share these beautiful lyrics to this song. My thoughts and prayers to the Duhig family.

Haydock family

"Asking Around For You" - Joe Bonamassa 

If i get to heaven
the first thing I'll do
before I meet my maker
I'm gonna ask around for you

all of heaven gotta know
your beauty ever true
I'll tap an angel on the shoulder
and I'll be asking around for you

I'm sure you've found a place up there
where we all can sit and talk a while
play some cards and drink black coffee
How I'd love to see you smile

If I get to heaven
and I'm praying that I do
I'll be the first thing I do
I'll tap an angel on the shoulder
and I'll be asking around for you

I'm sure you found a place up there
where we all can sit and talk a while
play some cards and drink black coffee
I'd love to see you smile

If I get to heaven now
oh I'm praying that I do
I'll be the first thing I do
I'll tap an angel on the shoulder
and I'll be asking around for you
I'll tap an angel on the shoulder
and I'll be asking around for you  

     Words cannot express how heartbroken I feel about Tommy's passing.  I feel so lucky to have had so many good times with him.  I met Tommy in high school as he was my great friend, Katie Walsh's cousin.   Over time, it seemed as if he was my cousin as well.     I look back on the good times we had and I can't help but smile.  One of my favorite stories is the time Tommy came down to EIU to visit me and Katie.  It was probably early March and still kinda chilly; so we didn't want to have to walk to the bars.  Tommy generously offered to drive me, Katie and most of our dorm that evening.  What he neglected to tell us was that his vehicle was a U-HAUL!!!!   It was terrifying and hilarious at the same time.  

     Tommy always had a warm smile, a friendly hello, and funny story.  He had a very sharp, quick Irish wit about him.  We could always count on Tommy to join in on a rendition of  The Irish Rover or the Wild Colonial Boy. We shared so many good times over the past 30 years.  I can't help but think of The Parting Glass, the traditional Irish song that celebrates the end of the gathering of friends:   

Oh all the money that e'er I spent
I spent it in good company
And all the harm that e'er I've done
Alas, it was to none but me 
And all I've done for want of wit
To memory now I can't recall
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be with you all

I’m truly at a loss for words and that doesn’t happen very often. Tommy and I met on our first day in kindergarten. We instantly became friends and have been ever since (45 years). We would run around Oak Lawn like we owned the place and walk into each others house without knocking. Because of our friendship our parents became very good friends which meant Tommy and I could stay up late and torture our sisters, mostly his tho, at parties. When high school started Tommy went to Brother Rice and I went to Richards. We lost touch a bit but whenever we saw each other at parties we went right back to where we left off, usually getting in a bit of trouble. My HS friends came to know Tommy as a fun loving guy who always had a smile on his face. I have received so many text/vm’s expressing their condolences it’s mind blowing. Tommy touched so many! After years of talking occasionally, Tommy reached out when he heard my dad was sick. Not many things good came out of my dads sickness except it renewed my friendship with Tommy Duhig! Ever since Tommy and I have talked regularly and met for breakfast when time allowed. I’ll miss those talks but even more I’ll miss your wicked sense of humor and smile. Godspeed my friend & I’ll see you again!  

I never thought you would be gone at only 50. I can’t tell you how much I love you and how much you have guided me through life. I wish you could be hear to watch me earn my wings, graduate college and speak for me at my wedding. You have made into who I am today and I am beyond proud to call you the best role model and father I could ask for. I will protect Mom and my Sisters forever. Again, I love you and I will see you again one day. Enjoy all the fishing, sailing, and just being a dude. I love you dad, Rest Easy for us.

This was my biggest catch on the lake and I couldn’t be more pleased.  Look at how much fun Lola and I are having.  I’m glad she’s wearing her diaper

Tommy was my brother in law and he was a great one at that!  I will miss him dearly.  Tom could always make our little Lola smile and  light up.  We watched him love and guide his children through the years and now they will be able to do the same some day.   

As for being a good friend... He could fix anything, figure anything out, and would always go out of his way to help with any project we had going.  (and he was always mindful enough to not make you look or feel like a fool while he fixed what you had already screwed up:).  A true gentleman and genius.  He had a way of taking his great ideas or plan and making it seem like it was your genius plan.  

An amazing guy that cared about everyone he met!   Size 13 shoe, size 1,000,000 + heart!!  

Tommy I know you are up therepulling for us all! 

Thanks!

Tom was my older cousin by 11 years. Growing up we would obviously see each other at various family events and I always thought of Tom as being my coolest (and funniest) cousin. But I would say that I started to really get to know Tom after I graduated college in 2002 and started to make the annual trip up to my Uncle Dan’s farm. For the next 10 years I would make the spring trip up to Wisconsin to spend the weekend with my Dad, brothers, and extended family where we would ride ATVs too fast, shoot absurdly large guns, start massive bon fires, eat great food,  bust each other’s balls, and laugh really hard. My cousin Tom being the one usually making us laugh. It was a special time that I will never forget. One particular memory from the farm was the year Tom brought up his famous “exploding bullets” (as he called it). I’m not sure the mad-scientist mix of chemicals Tom would stir up, but basically we would shoot at various objects and they would blow-up like we were in some action movie. It was amazing. When it was my turn to shoot I remember Tom patiently showing me how to properly use this insanely large, high-powered, automatic weapon. I was never really good with guns but Tom gave me pointers on how to aim, stand, and shoot. So I start to fire off a few rounds under Tom’s watchful eye. I missed a few times. Then, out of nowhere, Tom yells out to me “Hold the gun like you got a f-ing pair!!!”. Everyone laughs, but just a few shots later...BOOM!  It’s one of my all-time favorite Tom memories. He always knew the right moment to bust your chops. 

Another memory of Tom occurred just a few short years ago at my son’s 5th birthday. We were having a small party at my house with immediate family and the night before my furnace started making strange noises. Since it was the middle of January I wanted to get it checked out before the party so I called Tom to see if he would be able to come to my house that night to check it out. Tom, never turning down a family member in need of help, came out late on a Friday night to look at the furnace. Luckily nothing was wrong. Before Tom left I mentioned it was Nolan’s birthday the next day and that we were having a few people over to celebrate. I invited him to come to the house if he was available but figured it was short notice and he would be busy with other plans. He told me he’d try to make it if his schedule allowed.  The next day we were busy getting the house ready for the party. While my parents, brothers, and other family started to arrive I hear a knock at my front door. I figured it was the pizza we ordered. But it was Tom standing at my front door on a snowy January evening with the biggest gift wrapped under his arm. The rest of the night we spent drinking beers, eating cake, and opening presents. Tom gave Nolan a huge Star Wars X-Wing toy that is still sitting next to his bed to this day. I remember thinking how incredibly nice it was for Tom to make time to come out for Nolan’s birthday. He already did me a huge favor the night before looking at my furnace. But that was just the kind of guy Tom was.  He always put his family first and knew what was important in life. 

Lastly, not too long ago, on a warm spring Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, Tom was in the neighborhood and he decided to swing by to say a quick hello.  I was really happy to see him.  I told him I had a couple extra beers and cigars from the night before and asked if he would like to join me in my backyard for a few. Tom agreed and a quick hello turned into Tom and me sitting on my deck for well over two hours smoking cigars and drinking some cold beers on a beautiful day.  I'm not exactly sure what we talked about that afternoon, but I remember having a great time with my cousin for those few hours.  Tom was a great storyteller, a better listener, kind, funny, patient, and all-time great ball-buster. I will deeply mourn the loss of Tom and not having the opportunity of sharing more moments like these with him. He was the best. I love you Tom. Cheers and Godspeed

There is so much you can say about Tom, but I'll keep it brief. My name is Shanika Straughter and I had the pleasure of working with Tom for the past two years of him serving as one of the building engineers for 161.

He will be greatly missed. His smile, sense of humor, the stories of about his children will be missed the most.

Our nicknames for each other was Trouble. As he was always playful.

Always responding no matter how big or small the call was. I'm going to miss him stopping at the desk saying "I'm going on rounds, call me if you need me." Overnights just won't be the same.

To his children and family your in my thoughts and prayers.

As far as cool older cousins go, I hit the jackpot. I was lucky enough to have spent a lot of time at the Duhig house as a youth. I was heavily influenced by this comedic genius. I remember being 7 sleeping over at the house. Mary Jane and I were probably making shadow puppets on the wall because it was the 80s and we had no cable or internet. The phone rang and instead of saying hello, Tommy answered "Palermos Pizza-Pick Up Or Delivery"  This was a defining moment for me. The very idea you could you pick up the phone and be whoever you wanted lit a fire in me that got me up out of my seat. When I realized you could also dial a number and pretend to be whoever you wanted, I got to work immediately. (My professional career in phony phone calls was cut short when caller ID was invented. But for a while you inspired me to be the best) From there, Tommy was always the one to watch. If Tommy said it was cool or funny, i was on board 100%  Whether it was movies, music, where to go, what to do or how handle myself he was right. I am heartbroken beyond belief you are gone. They take the real funny ones way too early. Im forever grateful to have known you and to have had you in my life as long as I did. When we meet again, I will be counting on you to show me the ropes. And I'm looking forward to hearing your best afterlife material and the story about that time you pranked Jesus. Love you buddy. RIP

Tommy. My heart is broken into pieces.  I know I'm not alone in feeling this way.  You filled my life with so many good memories that I can't even begin to retell.  I can only skim the surface of what was you.  Your humor, your confidence and your endless love and devotion to your family were never over looked - I loved you for that.  When you came to a party or family gathering you greeted everyone with open arms and you did the same when you hosted a party. Nothing got by you - and you made sure to make the time we spent together memorable and as a Tommy quote 'lets repeat that again".  I remember playing hide and go seek at grandma and grandpa's during a Sunday dinner and the four of us - you, Maureen, Me and Mike would run up the front stairs and upstairs and hide and then down the backstairs to the scary basement where you almost always hid and scared us.  I remember your bedroom when we were 10 filled with scary Kiss posters and you playing their records and trying to convince me they weren't the devil. I remember you and Mike driving me back to WIU for summer term and you had to stop with Mike and try and tip a cow (in broad daylight) and Mike getting chased out of the farm by a herd of them and then you sat on my couch in front of my roommates with Mike and demonstrated how to light a fart on fire. And I didn't care, I loved it, (sort of). I remember our 20's and how you and Mike would always pop up wherever I was with friends and it would turn into a super late night out with the 3 of us.  I also remember how incredibly protective you were and the warnings you gave to my boyfriends that they would deal with you if anything happened to me - until you met Chris, then you were ok with him. There were concerts and games and nothing but good times.  I'll always be forever grateful for you and having you as the funniest, most honest, genuine cousin and friend I could have, you were always like another brother, and you kept Mike in line, as much as is possible, but you guided him and he loved you for it too.  You have 3 beautiful children that we will always look out for - don't worry about that. May you spend eternity playing cards and smoking cigars with grandpa Barry and dancing and singing with our beautiful grandmother.  You will always be in my heart. May God wrap his loving arms around you and until we meet again, kisses and hugs and absolutely you better rock on! Love, Diane 

Some people think I have thick skin from being an ICU nurse, it dates back much further to my formative years where I had to navigate through a barrage of practical jokes planted by my oldest brother, Tommy.  He loved to get a laugh in the most creative, and sometimes terrifying ways (to an 8 yr old).  I vividly remember watching Twilight Zone, it was the episode where a vindictive doll named Talkie Tina takes revenge on the stepfather of a little girl.  As I was heading upstairs to bed that night I noticed my favorite doll "Etone" sitting at the top of the stairs staring down at me. Tommy had snuck a walkie talkie behind her and began to say with a chuckle "My name is talkie etone, and I don't like you!” 

All practical jokes aside, I was always able to count on him.  In an emergency situation, I knew two numbers that would always pick up…  911 and my brother Tommy.  For those who knew him, he even had a practical joke built into his phone number. I'll miss you big brother

I’m filled with gratitude to have called you my big brother.  Thank you for always looking out for me and for all the laughs over the years.  Our last conversation in person was heartfelt and I love how we spent the night laughing and recalling all of our fun times!  You were totally committed, without any questions, for all the adventures that Idreamed up. Traveling internationally at a moments notice-  salt caves- Sensory deprivation tanks- improv classes- Reiki/ shaman session- burning fears and taking conversations to the depth for purposes of unfolding our purpose here.  

Perpetual light and love is bathing your beautiful soul as you are forever my heart

❤️

Mary