Thomas W. Fanella, 84, of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, formerly a resident of the Fox Lake area since 1969, passed away Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital. He was born November 25, 1938, in Chicago, to the late Michael and Emilia “Emma” Fanella.

Tom was raised in Elmwood Park, IL and moved to Ingleside after purchasing Hello Folks in 1969. In 1975 he bought a pizzeria and called it Mama’s Pizza. Shortly after it was remodeled and renamed Fanella’s Pizza & Pub. Tom and Grace owned and operated there until 1989 when he sold to his brother Rich. After overseeing the startup of Tom’s Café in Johnsburg (1993-2008) he and Grace retired to Twin Lakes, WI.

He is survived by his children, Victoria “Vicki” Lichter, Thomas “Tom” (Colleen) Fanella, Mary Fanella, and Timothy “Tim” Fanella; eight grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren and many extended family and friends.

Tom was preceded in death by his wife, Grace, on December 1, 2015; and brothers, Anthony “Tony” (Delores) Fanella and Richard (Pat) Fanella.

Visitation Wednesday, December 28, from 3-8 p.m., at Hamsher Lakeside Funerals & Cremations, 12 N. Pistakee Lake Rd., Fox Lake. Visitation will resume Thursday, December 29, from 10 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Entombment will follow at Ascension Cemetery Mausoleum, Libertyville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Tom’s name can be made to the American Heart Association or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.