Thomas Staroski

Thomas M. Staroski, 69, of Sergeant Bluff, passed away Wednesday, July 27, 2016, at Bluff View Home in Sergeant Bluff.
Services will be 11 a.m. Tuesday at Morningside Chapel, Christy-Smith Funeral Home. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Tuesday at the funeral home.
Tom was born on July 8, 1947, in Fargo, N.D., the son of Edwin and Verna (King) Staroski. The family lived briefly in Sergeant Bluff before moving to Sioux City. Tom attended the Institute of Logopedics in Wichita, Kan., and special education classes at Cooper School in Sioux City.
Tom, the "Rain Man," amazed everyone with his remarkable memory and unique way with words. Friends and family loved to quiz him on the TV schedule, and he could detail the programs of any station at any time and on any day of the week. Tom had a mind for inventing words and nicknames. His new coinages appeared in conversation spontaneously, but fit their meaning as if they had always been in the dictionary, so much so, that many of his inventions have a permanent place in the vocabulary of those around him.
One of Tom’s favorite places was sitting shotgun in the car. Whether riding to a favorite lunch spot like Tastee In & Out or just tagging along during errands, he insisted that the radio be playing the whole time. In fact, a favorite recreation was to just sit parked in the driveway, listening to the radio (and singing along because he knew all the lyrics to just about every song). You could always tell Tom had been there by the scattering of cookie crumbs left on the seat.
Other signatures of Tom’s included pocket watches, key-wind alarm clocks, calendars, transistor radios, and the ever-present TV Guide.
Tom lived the better part of his adult life at Bluff View, benefiting from the dedicated work and warm hearts of the staff. He called it home. Tom’s friends and family are grateful to all at Mid-Step, who were like family to him. They also wish to recognize Hospice of Siouxland for their professionalism, comfort and support.
Survivors include his sister, Connie Taylor; nephew, Hayden Taylor; niece, Hillary Teska and her husband Zach, and their children, Adriana, Owen and Leo; and cousins, Patty Papek and Barbara Newcomer of Omaha.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Verna Staroski; his brother, John; and his sister, Laura.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be designated to Bluff View Home or Hospice of Siouxland.

The family especially thanks the staff at Bluff View Home.