Thomas Phalin

Tom Phalin, 59, of Crystal Lake and formerly of Parker, Colorado was born July 8, 1953 in Rockford, Illinois and passed away suddenly, Tuesday, October 10th, 2012, losing his courageous battle with a long term disabling illness.

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

Tom resided in Crystal Lake until moving to Colorado in 1983. 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, Colorado 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 of Colorado Springs, CO; her fiancé, Justin Wilson of Littleton, CO; his close friend and mother of their daughter, Lorin Phalin of Frisco, CO; his parents, Donald and Arline Phalin of Crystal Lake; his brothers, Tim Phalin of Crystal Lake and Michael (Andrea) Phalin of Harrisburg, IL; his sisters, Lori Phalin of Crystal Lake and Deborah (Steve) Moen of Oswego, IL; his nephews Connor and Cooper Phalin of Harrisburg, IL, Ryan (Tara) Moen of Geneva, IL, Christa Phalin of Marquette, MI and great niece Ava Moen. He is also survived by his faithful and lifelong friends, David Jennings of Woodstock, IL and William Sather of Lone Tree, CO.

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, IL and special thanks to his caregiver Valerie Young.

A wake visitation beginning at 11:00 a.m. followed by a prayer service at 2pm will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at Davenport Funeral Home, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave (IL Rt. 176), Crystal Lake. Interment will be private.

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