Thomas C. Palid, Mason, Mich.

Teacher driven to learn, embrace life

Mark Hicks / The Detroit News

Tom Palid had an upbeat spirit and a desire to learn when facing challenges related to his physical disability.

"He was just so enthusiastic," said his brother, Mark. "He had a fantastic attitude."

Mr. Palid, a former Detroit resident, died on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, after an illness. He was 55.

Born Nov. 7, 1953, at Mount Carmel Mercy Hospital in Detroit, he was the sixth of 17 children raised by Chester and Madeleine Palid.

Active in sports, he played in a baseball league in Detroit and a football team while attending Gesu Catholic School. He later graduated from University of Detroit Jesuit High School.

In the early 1970s, while returning home from work, he was shot in the back during an armed robbery in Detroit, relatives said. Mr. Palid was paralyzed, but learned to walk with crutches and leg braces. He later endured a double leg amputation.

Driven by a desire to learn, he later earned a degree in architectural technology from Lansing Community College and a bachelor's degree in applied science from Davenport University, said his sister, Suzanne Cherniawski.

He later served as a substitute teacher in the Lansing School District, she said. "It gave him such joy." An avid car buff, he enjoyed attending car shows with nieces and nephews. Mr. Palid also loved reading and studying art and architecture as well as playing piano. "He had a wide array of interests," his sister said. "He kept himself busy."

Other survivors include sisters Christine Friedrichs, Janet Pollock, Mary Olson, Germaine Murphy, Madeleine Veneklase, Jacquie Miller and Eileen Palid; brothers Michael, Jesse, Chip, Paul, John, Richard; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father and a sister, Judy.

Services have been held.