I started working at NSCC in Glenview, Illinois as a bartender in June of 1985. It wasn’t very long until I met the “legendary generous tipper,” Mr. Thomas Shantz! As a bartender I got to know Mr. Shantz very well as he would have many, many private parties at the club. I took care of him, his wife, family members and friends in the cocktail lounge before they would all file into the “Private Dining Room” for a sumptuous long dinner. Mr. Shantz absolutely loved to entertain his family and guests in that room that looked out over the golf course. He especially loved to shower his guests with expensive “Taittinger French Champagne” and lavish upon them the greatest of meals! Inevitably, later in the evening, Mr. Shantz would always jovially saunter up to the bar to chat with me extensively about life and slap down a 100 dollar bill on the bar! This would happen several times a year along with assorted 50 dollar bills and 20 dollar bills . This went on for 16 years while I was “moonlighting” at the club from my career as a high school teacher. Of course I loved being the recipient of such generosity, but my “member employee” relationship with him was much more important. I grew to know him and his character very well as he chronicled the many interesting events in his life for me. He was especially proud of his military career as a pilot and landing the decks of ships! Mr. Shantz was not a “push-over,” he was very strict with the employees and always expected excellent service, but he always rewarded all his service employees and caddies with unequalled generosity. HE WAS LEGENDARY FOR HIS TIPPING GENEROSITY AT NORTH SHORE COUNTRY CLUB AND HE ALWAYS SPOKE HIS MIND! I was thinking of Mr. Shantz last night while sharing a bottle of Taittinger Champagne with my wife. It inspired me to try to locate my old friend. Mournfully, I found his obituary and that of his wife. I was happy to see though that he was only days from turning 90 as he well deserved a long happy life with his family and loved ones. I have thought about you often, my beloved Mr. Shantz, you were truly unique in your personality, gregariousness and generosity among all the members at North Shore Country Club. No one even came close! I will never forget you, the time you generously shared with me and your deep personal philosophies on family, work and especially life. REQUIESCAT IN PACE, My Dear Friend. Your ever faithful “cocktail lounge bartender” and friend, Edward John Burns McCormick…
Thomas A. Shantz
December 5, 1932 – November 30, 2022
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph MN for Thomas Alvin Shantz, age 89, of Wilmette IL who passed away on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at his home in St. Joseph. Reverend Brad Jenniges, OSB will officiate. Burial will take place at the parish cemetery with full military honors.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and after 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church Heritage Hall in St. Joseph. Parish Prayers will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Heritage Hall.
Tom passed a few days short of his 90th birthday. Born on December 5, 1932 in Buffalo, New York to Marc and Grace (Carveth) Shantz. He served Honorably as a Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Married Irene Redden Shantz in Pensacola FL where he received his Wings, and proceeded to have five children. In 1971, He married Helen (Schaefer), at St. Joseph’s Church, Wilmette, IL Tom and Helen raised their combined family in Wilmette and Winnetka, IL. In 2001 they retired to Savannah, GA. and then St. Cloud. He graduated from Loyola Academy in Wilmette IL and graduated with an Electrical Engineering Degree from Marquette University Wisconsin.
Tom’s Catholic faith was center to his life. He was active in his Parish regardless of where he resided. Husband, father, step-father, grandfather, businessman, loved to play golf. He always said the good die young and the worst day on the golf course was better than his best day in the office. Tom’s life was full. He was a respected business owner and president of Midwest Component Sales, Chicago IL for 40 years.
Tom was generous and gracious. He loved all of his family dearly. There was nothing he enjoyed more than going to mass followed by a visit and meal with family. He was our patriarch and paid careful attention to the needs and safety of his large clan. A strong presence in all our lives and he will be dearly missed.
He is survived by his 10 children, Sharon Sanders (Herb), Norman Mick, Monica Mick-Hager, Thomas A Shantz, Jr. (Teresa), Maggie Smith (Craig), Grace Marie Shantz, Marc Shantz, II, Margaret Shantz, Elizabeth Diana Shantz Hanna and Joanne (Kurt) Schneider; 30 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild; and his brother, Richard Shantz (Delores “DJ”) of Orlando, Fl. and many nieces and nephews
Tom was preceded in death by his parents- Marc A. Shantz & Grace Carveth Shantz; sister Mary Carole Craine, Irene Shantz, and his wife, Helen Schaefer Shantz.
Guestbook
Mr Shantz gave me my first job and treated me like a son. Today I continue to hold myself to his standards. Rest in peace sir.
Thoughts and prayers are with your families
Services
Schedule Details
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 7, 2022 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in St. Joseph MN. Reverend Brad Jenniges, OSB will officiate. Burial will take place at the parish cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday and after 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church Heritage Hall in St. Joseph. Parish Prayers will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Heritage Hall.