Thomas Mather

Thomas Donald Mather, age 74, of Royal Oak, died Saturday, October 22, 2011 at his home. Tom was born in Chicago, Illinois on July 7, 1937 to the late Julian and Elizabeth Mather. He was a 1955 graduate of Lincoln High School in Ferndale. From 1958 to 1963 Tom was a police officer in Pleasant Ridge. He later became an insurance industry executive devoting almost 50 years of his life as an advocate for free market solutions to injury/illness prevention and health care management. He was President and Chief Operations Officer of CoreSource Inc., President and Chairman of the Self-Insurance Institute of America, President of Self-Insurance Publishing Corporation and Managing Editor of the ?Self-Insurer? a leading insurance industry journal. He was a gifted writer, painter, chef, author of several books and a connoisseur of fine cuisine, drink and Jazz music. Most of all, Tom loved life and the people he surrounded himself with. He was a great teacher, mentor and friend to all who knew him. He was often heard quoting an old jazzman and friend ?Life is short, talk is cheap, let the good times roll?. He lived by that creed. Tom is survived by his best friend and wife of 55 years, Joanne; children, Kevin Sue Mather, Jeffrey Sandra Mather and Anne-Marie Mathew Sosnoski; grandchildren, Erin and Kathleen Mather; Sean Stephanie, Ryan and Ian Mather; Lyndsey, Lauren, Emily and Marek Sosnoski; and sisters, Betty Riordan and Marie Humphrey and their extended families. The visitation will be held Wednesday, October 26, 2011 from 2-8 p.m. and the funeral service Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the Wm. Sullivan & Son Funeral Home, 705 W 11 Mile Road 4 blks. E of Woodward, Royal Oak. The burial will take place at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 25800 W 10 Mile Road, Southfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Operation Smile or Disabled American Veterans. Share your memories at www.sullivanfuneraldirectors.com.