“It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Thomas Edward Langelier, 84.” He died Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at his residence in Mentor.
He was born January 18, 1933, to Albert Langelier and Irene Chase in Detroit, Mich.
Tom was a graduate of Busch High School and Wayne State University. He served proudly in the U.S. Army, where he worked as a communications intelligence officer in Germany. Professionally, he was a middle and high school English teacher in the Center Line School District until he retired in 1999. For over 30 years, he was passionate about making a difference in the lives of his students, touching multiple generations.
He was an expert sailor and very active in the American Sailing Institute, making many lifelong friends. He sailed the Great Lakes, Caribbean and the waterways in-between. Once retired, Tom prided himself on remaining active and enjoyed sailing, tennis, pickleball, ping-pong, and ballroom dancing. A lifelong learner, he was an avid student of history and the arts, and continued taking classes until his death. He was also a published author and wrote fiction, poetry, and nonfiction.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Albert "John" Langelier (Joyce).
He is survived by his siblings, Amy Sheperd (Rick), Susie Jenks (Bill), Gerald Langelier, Ronald Langelier, Marian Krabach (Tim), and Caroline LeFranc (Franck); two children, John Langelier (Cindy) of Mentor and Monique Baczewski (David) of Marana, Ariz.; loving grandchildren, Tom Langelier, Michael Langelier (Maia), Andrew Baczewski (Melissa) and Margaret Baczewski (Lela; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends around the country and across the world.
It was Tom’s wish that he be cremated and be remembered as the vibrant and energetic man that he was. A memorial will be held at a later date. Details will be shared when available. Interment will be at the Village of Romeo Cemetery in Michigan.
As Tom was a lifelong believer in civil rights for all, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center at www.splcenter.org or to the American Civil Liberties Union at www.aclu.org.
Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor. To leave condolences for the family or light a memorial candle, visit www.mcvfuneralhomes.com.

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