Thomas Caplis, of Sylvan Township, Michigan, age 75, passed away on March 5, 2022 at Silver Maples of Chelsea. He was born on December 15, 1946 in Dearborn, the son of Edward and Kathleen (Dwyer) Caplis of Wayne.
Tom served in the United States Army, achieving the rank of captain, during the Vietnam War and later worked for Ford Motor Company as a Quality Control Engineer. Upon retirement, he worked as zoning administrator for Sylvan and Lima Townships. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Chelsea and its Knights of Columbus. He served with the Washtenaw Co. Honor Guard and was a member of the Herbert J. McKune American Legion Post 31. He was an active member of the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club.
Tom is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Dawn (Stanford). Also surviving are three children, Jennifer Caplis (Dr. Mark Bortolussi) of Marshall, MI, John (Dr. Laura) Caplis of Alpena, MI, and Robert Caplis of Chelsea, MI; three grandchildren, Connor, Jack, and Claire Caplis; and his brother Timothy Caplis of Vassar, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents.
A private Mass was held at St. Mary Catholic Church. Tom was laid to rest at Mt. Olivet Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Ronald Weiser Center for Prostate Cancer (victors.us/tomcaplis), as the medical providers at Michigan Medicine gave Tom more life and his family more memories. Contributions can also be made to St. Mary Catholic Church Religious Education as his faith sustained him during his treatment.
As Tom reminded his family with each medical report, good or bad, “we continue to march.”
Arrangements by Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home.
