Thomas F Rebel

Thomas Francis Rebel, 93, of Punta Gorda, FL, died at home 4 May 2018 with his children, Tom and Diana, present. Born 17 September 1924 in Chicago, IL, he was the son of the late Rudolph Peter Rebel and the late Blanche Veronica Rebel (nee Hederman). Tom never knew his father, who died 2 months after he was born. Tom grew up in Chicago and was a graduate of St. Viators and St. Mels high school, where he received four years of ROTC training. The latter stood him in good stead when he joined the Army Air Corps right out of high school. He received his Wings on 12 March 1944 at Lubbock Army Air Field, Texas. He then trained for 1st pilot on a B-24 Liberator Bomber at Liberal, Kansas. Due to his abilities as a pilot, he became a trainer for other B-24 pilots before also qualifying as a B-29 pilot. While stationed in Denver for the B-29 training, he met Alyse Louise Kuniewicz. They were married at Lowry Field on 4 May 1945. Following his discharge, Tom began working for Firestone Tire and Rubber Co. in Youngstown, OH, near his wifes home town of Salem. In a few months the family moved to Peoria, IL. In 1958, after three more moves in Illinois, he started work for Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. and moved to West Hollywood, FL. This move allowed him to spend more time enjoying boating and fishing, especially in the Keys (Islamorada), where the family took many vacations. Tom was transferred several more times, over the following years, first to Jacksonville, FL, then Decatur, GA, followed by St. Petersburg, FL, Ann Arbor, MI, Dallas, TX, then Duncanville, TX. He found time to attend night school for college credit. Golf became a serious activity. And he got the boat he had always wanted. Tom retired in 1985 and he and Alyse moved to Punta Gorda from Duncanville, TX in 1988. They joined the Twin Isles Country Club in the same year and were Charter Members. He was President of the Club from 1993-1994. The Club became the center of his social life and remained that to the end. Alyse died in 2004, after a long illness, shortly before what would have been their 59th wedding anniversary. Wednesday night Singles dinner at the Club became a staple in Toms social calendar. Throughout his career, Tom traveled frequently and widely in his job as salesman/field engineer. Except for a brief stint as store manager in Tampa, he was generally on the road during the week. Between this and vacations, he managed to visit nearly every state in the continental US as well as Hawaii, Panama, Australia, New Zealand, England, Scotland and France, along with several places in the Caribbean. For many years there were monthly stays in Banner Elk, NC. He enjoyed the new experiences that travel provided and was a good traveler. Tom was flexible and quick-witted and always had a Plan B. He was a bridge fan and played regularly. Another long-time hobby was the stock market. Self-taught, he spent time studying the market and developed the habit of a nightly time on his PC checking on current and possible investments. He loved listening to music and had a good ear and a good sense of rhythm. Tom was especially fond of operettas and the Big Band sounds of the 40s. He built a stereo system from a kit, before systems were widely available, and piped music outside so he could listen on the patio and then the lanai. He also liked dancing, especially when he was younger. Tom was a member of the Elks for 34 years and a member of Punta Gorda Lodge #2606. Tom was gregarious and never happier than being with other people and telling storiesexcept perhaps on the golf course. He golfed as much as he could, and would adjust his swing as often as necessary to accommodate changes due to age and injury. Golfing became his raison detre. It provided fresh air, exercise and comradery. And an opportunity to argue about who won the quarter… Tom will be greatly missed by his daughter, Diana Rebel (Phoenixville, PA); son, Tom (Atlanta) and his partner, Cynthia Augustyn (Miami, FL) ; grandchildren, Kristi Rebel (Atlanta), Robert Rebel (Bend, OR), Courtney Rebel and husband Josiah Alexander (Atlanta); great-grandson, Koa Rebel; many nieces and a nephew; and his special friend, Marci Luxton. There will be a Memorial Mass at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 211 W. Charlotte Avenue, in Punta Gorda, on Friday, 12 October, at 11 AM. Following the Mass there will be a Celebration of Toms life at Twin Isles Country Club, 301 Madrid Blvd, Punta Gorda. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, the Salvation Army, and the American Red Cross, or any charity of your choice.