Thomas Michael Rashid
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Thomas Michael Rashid was born in Detroit on October 23, 1955 to Judge Joseph G. Rashid and Ann Louise (Malane) Rashid. Tom died in East Lansing surrounded by loved ones on December 3, 2021 after a battle with cancer. A product of Catholic Education, Tom attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School in Dearborn, where his love for educational athletics began.
While he was still in college, Tom accepted a position at St. Alphonsus, serving as athletic director for nearly a decade and then moving on to Riverview Gabriel Richard as athletic director. He then went on to the Detroit Catholic League, where he was director for fifteen years, instituting praying the "Our Father" before each sporting event. He also crafted the "More than good sports. Good people." slogan for the Catholic League and embodied that mantra throughout his life. Tom was recruited to join the Michigan High School Athletic Association, where he was Associate Director. "He had so many incredible gifts," said MHSAA executive director Mark Uyl, "the greatest being his ability to talk and communicate with people even when having to share difficult or bad news. He was so good with people, and his care and concern for others is one of Tom's greatest legacies."
Every student who has played high school sports in the State of Michigan over the last 18 years and every Catholic League athlete over the past 33 years has been impacted by Tom's work. His work was his passion and he worked until just days before the cancer caused his body to shut down.
Above all, Tom was a man of great faith. He attended daily Mass and regularly visited the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit to pray. While going to sacred spaces was an important part of Tom's life, he also prayed constantly. He maintained a small notebook in his pocket filled with intentions for those he loved.
Tom is survived by his siblings, Joseph Rashid (Patricia), Robert Rashid (Elizabeth), John Rashid, James Rashid (the late Ann Macey), Mary Rashid (Thomas Sklut), Joanne Harper (Glenn), and Ann Johnson (Karl); nieces and nephews Jason Harper (Lindsey), Ruth Kaleniecki (Aaron), Joseph Harper, Daniel Rashid (Jade Wandell), Thomas Rashid Sklut (Kristen Gasieski), Katie Rashid, Erika Beehler (Robert), Anna Rashid Sklut, Jennifer Bingham (Dennis), Johnny Rashid Sklut (Stormie Perez), James Rashid, Jr. (Josh Madding), and Melissa Johnson; and nine great nieces and nephews. The family is also grateful for the many years of support and care provided by Sara Caterino, LPTA.
A visitation for Tom will be held Friday, December 10, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, 1730 East Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI 48823, with a rosary service at 7:00 PM. Tom will lie in state on Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM with the Funeral Liturgy at 12:00 noon at St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, 955 Alton Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823. Mass will be lived streamed at youtube.com/c/OutreachMass. Interment Monday, December 13, 2021 at 10:30am at St. Hedwig Cemetery, 23755 Military Road, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Solanus Casey Center in Detroit, to the Thomas Rashid and Vic Michaels Scholarship Fund for Catholic student athletes at the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, or to a charity of your choosing. Please leave condolences for the family at greastlansing.com