Obituaries

Visitation and Funeral Arrangements Announced for Beloved Brother Rice Coach

Brother Rice High School remembers Coach Tom Mitchell who died of an apparent heart attack at age 72 on Tuesday.

 

Brother Rice High School has announced the visitation and funeral arrangments for late Coach Tom Mitchell, who was the Crusaders' head football coach from 1967 to 1995.

Coach Mitchell died at age 72 of an apparant heart attack on Tuesday. His body will lie in state in Brother Rice High School's main gym from 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30. An ongoing reception will be held in the north gym during visitation.

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Watch the Tom Mitchell Retirement Tribute by Brother Rice High School.

The coach led the Crusaders to an IHSA state championship in 1981, and the runner up in 1985, as well as two Chicago Prep Bowl Championships.

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The funeral mass will be at Most Holy Redeemer Parish at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31. Friends and family are asked to gather for the funeral mass at Most Holy Redeember, 9525 S. Lawndale Ave., Evergreen Park. The interment will be private.

Brother Rice alumnus and school marketing director/web designer Brian Barkowski '95, has assembled a moving tribute to the coach that includes memories from former students and players, teachers and rivals.

Said a fellow teacher: "I remember teaching a freshman who had Tom as his counselor, and I told him there was something bothering the kid.  Tom wasted no time talking to the kid and soon learned the kid was having trouble with his father.  Whatever Tom said to the father and son turned out to be a life-changing experience for both of them, as both became better men for the rest of their lives.”

Read the full tribute, "We Remember the Life of Tom Mitchell."

 


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