CEDARVILLE * Thomas Ennenga, 81, of Cedarville died Sunday, June 20, 2004, at FHN Memorial Hospital from complications of pneumonia.
Thomas was born Aug. 19, 1922, the son of Oscar and Cornelia (Thomas) Ennenga. He graduated from Laurenceville School in Laurenceville, N.J., in 1941 and Princeton University in 1945, where he was awarded Phi Beta Kappa.
Tom married Ida Louise Curtis on June 24, 1944. The couple would be celebrating their 60th anniversary on Thursday this week. They met in the summer of 1939 at Cheley Colorado Camps in Estes Park, Colo. In a draw of cards, they each drew the Jack of Diamonds. Rifleman Tom said, "She caught me in her crosshairs."
Thomas was a Marine Corps lieutenant during World War II, and was stationed in Japan, Okinawa and China. He returned from the war to run the E&W Clothing House until 1990 when the store was closed. He and Ida Lou bought the ruins of the birth place of Jane Addams in Cedarville in 1956, and rebuilt the home to its original splendor.
Tom was very active in the community, serving on the Freeport School Board during the 1960s. He was instrumental in fund-raising for land where Highland Community College is located. He was the founder and director of the Jane Addamsland Park Foundation and assisted his wife, Ida Lou with the Freeport Arts Center. He also was instrumental in the establishment of the Heart of Memorial Trust for Freeport Memorial Hospital and was an active member of the Freeport Rotary Club.
He served on the board of directors of Premier Financial Services and was active with Freeport Area Chamber of Commerce, Greater Downtown Freeport and Grace Episcopal Church.
He had an avid interest in falconry, starting the activity at the age of 12, and was well known in the falconry community for his breadth and depth of knowledge. He also was a lifelong upland game hunter and avid fisherman, sharing the interest with his father, his sons, his grandsons and many friends.
Surviving Thomas Ennenga are his son, George Ennenga of New York City; his daughters, Constance (Byron) Starns of St. Paul, Minn., and Lucie (Francois) Gadenne of Marblehead, Mass.; and seven grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his wife, Ida Lou; his younger son, T. Curtiss; and infant daughter, Caroline.
Cremations rites were accorded.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. July 3 at Grace Episcopal Church with the Rev. Mary Ann Hill officiating.
Interment of his cremains will be at Oakland Cemetery and Mausoleum in Freeport.
In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established for Jane Addamsland Park Foundation, Highland Community College, Heart of Memorial Trust and Grace Episcopal Church.
Please sign and view the family guest book at www.walkermortuary.com.