Thomas M. Andrick

Thomas “Tom” Michael Andrick, 78, of Duluth, formerly of Lake Vermilion, passed peacefully into Heaven on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, while quietly reading a book. A celebration of life will be held at the Northern Club in Virginia on Saturday, Oct. 17. The Color Guard will present military honors at 11:30 a.m., with food and fellowship until 3 p.m. In honor of Tom’s vibrant spirit, feel free to wear a Grateful Dead or Hawaiian shirt.
Tom’s family is very grateful to the compassionate staff at Elysian Senior Homes of Duluth, where he resided. He made many wonderful friendships there. Instead of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be considered to support Parkinson’s Disease research, in honor of Tom and the courageous battle he fought.
Tom was born on Feb. 2, 1948, in Alameda, Calif., to Joseph and Mary Andrick. He graduated from Virginia High School in 1966. He then attended Virginia Junior College and the University of Minnesota-Duluth until he was drafted into the U.S. Army, serving some of that time in northern Italy.
Tom was married to his first wife, Shirley, for 24 years until her passing in 1994. Together, they welcomed a daughter, Heather. In 2002, Tom married Deb, and they shared 24 years together. Tom worked at U.S. Steel as an air millwright and welder before retiring.
Tom loved kids and dogs and had a very special way of making people feel welcome. He always made a point of saying his daughter was a “good kid.” He loved being at the lake and especially enjoyed sailing and fishing on Lake Vermilion and Trout Lake. He passed his love of fishing on to his daughter and grandchildren, creating memories they will treasure for generations. Tom also enjoyed cross-country skiing, scuba diving and snowboarding. For a time, he was a certified snowboard instructor at Giants Ridge. With his white beard, his family often joked he looked like Santa on a snowboard. His nieces and nephews affectionately called him “Uncle Santa.”
Tom was a very proud father and grandfather, and he leaves behind many cherished memories and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Tom is survived by his wife, Deb; daughter, Heather (Mike); stepchildren, Sara and Kevin (Bjorna); grandchildren, Cate, Kyle, Wyatt, Jane and Margit; brothers and sisters, Stephen (Melody), Kevin, Joan (Bob), Jim (Carrie) and Cathy (Brian); nieces and nephews, Patty, Kevin, Ryan, Patrick, Colleen, Tim, Matthew, Joe, Eric, Leah, Anna, Sarah, Luke, Antonio and Marco; great-nieces and great-nephews, Jack, Joe, Jude, Corinne, Felicity, Bennett, Lucas, Gabi, Nora, Paige, Carly Ann, Abby, Oliver, Phoebe, Margaret and Soren; and lifelong friend, Ray.
Tom was preceded in death by his first wife, Shirley; parents, Joseph and Mary and Ilene Andrick; brother, Joseph “Dewey”; sister, Mary Ann; nephew, Robert; and great-nephew, Matthew.