Thomas E. Vola

Thomas E. Vola, 79, of Rockford passed away Tuesday, February 10, 2015 in his home. Born April 7, 1935, in Rockford, the son of John and Effie (Swenson) Vola. He was a veteran serving in the United States Navy serving on the USS Merrimack. Tom married Lillian Zweep on September 15, 1962 at St. James Catholic Church in Rockford. He worked in the Electrical Construction industry for many years. Tom enjoyed fishing, his Dalmatians, working in his yard and caring for their flowers. He was a member of St. Rita Catholic Church, the Cherry Valley Masonic Lodge 173 and the Tebala Shrine.
Survived by his wife, Lillian; sons, Christopher (Jennifer) Vola and Dave Vola; daughter, Beth (Patrick) Chadwick; grandchildren, Mark (Allison), Shaun, Drew Vola, Rachel, Hannah and Lindsay Chadwick; great-grandson, Aksel Vola; brother, Charles Vola; brother-in-law, Robert Goebel and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents, brothers, John Jr., Henry and Donald and sister, Carol Goebel.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2015 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Riverside Chapel, 3910 North Rockton Avenue. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Burial in Arlington Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary, 111 North 1st Street, Rockford, Illinois 61107. To express online condolences, please visit: www.fitzgeraldfh.com.