Thomas Claude Tait Jr.

Thomas Claude Tait Jr.

Thomas Claude Tait Jr., 82, of the Town of Newbold, passed away at home on Wednesday morning, August 20, 2025, with his wife Jane at his side and under the care of Aspirus at Home Hospice.

Tom was born on February 7, 1943, in Oconto Falls, to Thomas C. and Mary A. (Padden) Tait Sr. He was raised in Oconto Falls, attending St. Anthony’s Catholic Grade School. He then attended Our Lady of Premontre High School in Green Bay. Tom was a U.W. Oshkosh graduate, earning a degree in education. He wore various hats during his working careers. These included being a ski instructor and ski patrol member in Aspen, Colo., living in Milwaukee for a short time teaching, moving to Rhinelander, directing waterfront activities at a girl’s camp in St. Germain, bartending at the Pied Piper, managing the clubhouse at the Rhinelander Golf Course (and filling in when the bridge club ladies needed a fourth) and running an H & R Block in Antigo. He earned a master’s degree in business taxation and later became a partner in Passmore Tait & Larsen SC.

Thomas was a member of Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, and a past member of the Kiwanis Club of Rhinelander, and a past officer with the Rhinelander Athletic Booster Club. He was also a past instructor and member of the ski patrol at Camp Ten.

Tom enjoyed being outside, being on the water and sailing, and lunch hour Sheepshead games at Pat Deau’s Tavern, where he was affectionately referred to as “Dad.”

He is survived by his loving wife, Jane, step-daughters, Maggie (Tom) Holtgreive and Christine (Franz Weding) Wisniewski and grandchildren, Samuel, Ruby, and Rosemary Holtgreive and Dieter Weding, sister, Mary Miller and nephew, Michael (Cherish) Rentmeester, sister-in-law, Barbara Tait and nieces and nephews, Andrew (Amy) Tait, Jennifer (James) Sowinski, Brian (Meaghan) Tait, Kathryn (John) Vergeront, Alison (Dave Galuska) Tait, Peter (Elizabeth) Tait, Robert (Naomi) Tait,  and Megan (Todd Willer) O’Harrow and Joel (Ginny) O’Harrow.

He also leaves behind dear and devoted lifetime friends from Oconto Falls, Dean and Howard Eslien and Larry and Jim O’Dau who faithfully drove over for an annual visit filled with laughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Tait Sr., two sisters, Jeanne O’Harrow, and Claudette Prenger, brother, John Tait, a niece, Patty Rentmeester, and a nephew, Tim Rentmeester.

The visitation for Tom will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church, located at 125 E. King Street, Rhinelander, from 9 until the 10:30 a.m. memorial mass. Fr. Chris Kemp will officiate. Following the mass there will be a luncheon which will be served in the school gymnasium from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Beginning at 1 p.m. there will be a procession to the Union Grove Cemetery in Harshaw, for the committal service.

A special thank you to Compassus Home Health nurses and especially Apirus Home Hospice nurses for helping Tom find comfort in his final hours.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Rhinelander Kiwanis Foundation or to a charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hildebrand Funeral Home & Cremation Specialists, 24 E. Davenport Street, Rhinelander, Wisconsin, 54501, 715-365-4343. Everyone is invited to leave an online condolence at www.hildebrandrussfh.com.