Obit: Judge, Thomas J. (1956 - 2009)

 
Contact: Stan

Surnames: Judge, Kuni-Goldsmith, Luchsinger, Wierzba, Hogan

----Source: Marshfield News Herald, Marshfield, Wood Co., WI, Mon., 9 Feb. 2009

Judge, Thomas J. (1 Sept. 1956 - 7 Feb. 2009)

Thomas Judge Jr., 52, Wisconsin Rapids, died Sat. Feb. 7, 2009, in Sawyer County.

Funeral services are pending.

A complete obituary will appear in Tues.'s Daily Tribune.

Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids is handling all arrangements.

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----Source: Marshfield News Herald, Marshfield, Wood Co., WI, Tues., 10 Feb. 2009

Thomas J. Judge, who with his wife, Marsha, owned and operated the largest healthcare laundry facility in central and northern Wisconsin, passed away Feb. 7, 2009.

Services will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wed. at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, Wisconsin Rapids. The Revs. Al Wierzba and John Hogan will officiate. Friends may call at the church Wed. from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Private family burial.

Born in Wisconsin Rapids on Sept. 1, 1956, to Tom and Mavis Judge, Tom graduated from Assumption High School in Wisconsin Rapids in 1974 and Marquette University Business College in 1978.

Taking over the small laundry and dry cleaning facilities founded by his parents in 1955, Tom grew the business into an industry leader that pioneered technology like bar-coding for automated garment tracking. Tom also earned national recognition for his efforts in developing environmentally safe dry cleaning processes.

In 1999, Tom sold his first business, Judge's Uniform & Textile Services, and by 2004 had established Judge's Inc., a healthcare linen company. In 2007, Tom received Marquette University's Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Throughout his life, Tom consistently helped others. In 1983, he was among a group of rescuers that saved the lives of 10 people after a raft capsized on the Colorado River. Through his first business, Tom established the Coats for Kids program to collect winter coats for those in need. Recently, Tom received the Opportunity Development Center Partnership Award to recognize his efforts in supporting community members with disabilities.

Tom is survived by his wife, Marsha; his daughter, Stephanie Judge and her husband Noah Kunin-Goldsmith of Madison, and his son James Judge of Minneapolis. Tom is also survived by his mother, Mavis Judge of Gold Canyon, Ariz.; brother, Michael (Pat) Judge of Oconto County; and two sisters, Catherine (Bob) Luchsinger of Janesville and Patricia Judge of Hawaii.

Tom was preceded in death by his father Thomas H. Judge, and his sister Jennifer.

In lieu of flowers, Tom's family would appreciate memorial contributions be directed to the Community Foundation of Greater South Wood County. A fund will be created to support and maintain the Wisconsin Rapids park Tom established for the enjoyment of community members. The park is located at the corner of East Grand Avenue and Lincoln Street.

Ritchay Funeral Home in Wisconsin Rapids is handling all arrangements.