Tom was raised in the Cheboygan area, a city boy, who grew up on the East side of town. His family also owned a farm a few miles from Cheboygan. Tom attended Bishop Baraga grade school in Cheboygan, graduated from Cheboygan Catholic High School and went on to Central Michigan University, where he received his undergraduate degree in education. He then attended Western Michigan University, were he received his master's degree in education. He taug...