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Thomas Mathew Heffernan, 88, passed away October 13, 2026, following a full, adventurous, and very busy life. Tom was born in Faith, South Dakota, to Ole and Edith Heffernan. He grew up with a strong work ethic, which continued throughout his 20-year career serving in the United States Navy.
During his Navy years, Tom also enjoyed what he considered a “fun time” driving a Yellow Cab in the Twin Cities. Knowing Tom, he probably enjoyed the people, the stories, and the opportunity to be behind the wheel almost as much as he enjoyed figuring out where everyone was supposed to go.
Tom was an entrepreneur at heart. Over the years, he owned Tom’s Standard, Tom’s Shell, Tom’s Auto Service Center and Tom’s Auto Sales. His love of cars and especially clean cars eventually convinced him that simply servicing automobiles wasn't enough. They needed to leave looking good, too. That led to the addition of a car wash and, with business partner Terry Herbst, the start of T-n-T Super Wash.
Tom's business interests didn't stop there. He invested in Wonder Wash, Taco John's, Steak Escape, and eventually Stone Hill Estates. He always seemed to have another idea, another investment, another project, or another reason to keep busy.
And busy he was.
Tom had more hobbies and interests than most people could fit on a calendar. He enjoyed bowling, card games, golfing, snowmobiling, traveling, cars, and NASCAR. If it involved competition, wheels, sunshine, travel, a gamble, or good friends, Tom was probably interested. He maintained a social calendar that would exhaust most people half his age.
He particularly enjoyed escaping Wisconsin winters, spending 11 winters in California and Bullhead City. It was not exactly a quiet retirement. Tom maintained a full weekly calendar of social events, proving that retirement was less about slowing down and more about simply relocating the activity to a warmer zip code.
But perhaps Tom's greatest legacy wasn't his businesses, hobbies, or adventures. It was his generosity.
Tom was a giver in countless ways. He gave his time, his energy, his resources, and his friendship. He served numerous organizations and was always willing to help someone in need.
Over the years, Tom touched and changed many lives. His family was never limited to those connected by blood. There were people he adopted into his life, and plenty who proudly adopted him into theirs. To Tom, family was about love, loyalty, friendship, and showing up—and he did plenty of showing up.
Tom is survived by his beloved spouse, Patricia Heffernan; his children, Scott (Elisa) McQuary and Tarah (Todd) Borreson; grandchildren Amanda (Keith), Russell, Savannah (Brad), Cody, and Macy; and great-grandchildren Chase, Sophia, Malcolm, Bria, Milo, and Rosalie.
He is also survived by many beloved in-laws, nieces, nephews, friends, and the many people who became family simply because Tom decided they belonged.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, Ole and Edith Heffernan, and his siblings, Jerry Heffernan and Mavis McBride.
Tom leaves behind much more than memories. He leaves behind stories, friendships, businesses, adventures, countless acts of kindness, and a whole lot of people who can honestly say, “Tom made a difference in my life.”
Somewhere, a table was set, the cards were shuffled, and a game was waiting to be played. But Tom wasn't there. For a man who loved his card games and rarely passed up an opportunity to socialize, missing a game was certainly out of character.
Maybe he had one more one person to visit, or one more thing to take care of. After all, Tom was never one to sit still for long.
Or maybe, just maybe, he knew there was another card table waiting for him somewhere else.
We can picture Tom arriving at that next game, pulling up a chair, sizing up his competition, and getting right down to business. And knowing Tom, he'd probably have a few stories to tell before the first hand was even dealt.
So, Tom, we hope the cards are good, the company is wonderful, and you never run out of toothpicks.
Rest easy, Tom. You gave a lot, loved a lot, lived a lot, and you left this world a whole lot better because you were here.
All are welcome, please join us in celebrating Tom’s life. Sunday, November 1, 2026 at the Onalaska Legion, Post 336. 1-4pm, with Military Honors Ceremony at 1:30pm. If anyone want to share their skills in bringing bars or cookies that would be greatly appreciated.
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Event venue
Onalaska American Legion Post 336, 731 Sand Lake Rd, Onalaska, WI 54650-2442, United States
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