Thomas J. Onate

Thomas J. Onate, age 72, of Reedsburg, passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at St. Clare Hospital in Baraboo.  He was born on May 24, 1953, in Chicago, IL, the son of Julian and Madeline (Ruiz) Onate.  

Tom graduated from Kelly High School in Chicago.  A few years after high school, Tom fell in love with the girl next door.  On October 23, 1976, Tom married the love of his life, Carol H. Lempa.  This union was blessed with a daughter, Lisa.  Together, Carol and Tom enjoyed traveling, especially to Montana and Colorado; enjoyed long walks and going to the movies. Carol preceded him in death on January 5, 2020.

His love of movies was obvious, as he would always quote his favorite films during everyday conversation. He was also lucky enough to see a movie being made firsthand, while he worked as an extra on the movie Public Enemies in 2008.

As a machinist, Tom was employed with Addison Machine Engineering, Inc. for many years.  His first several years were spent in the Addison, IL facility.  In 2002, he moved to Reedsburg, WI where he worked in the Reedsburg Addison facility until 2018.  

He was also preceded in death by his parents; stepson, Larry Grygiel; sister, Ruth Chambers, brothers-in-law, Joseph Calderone and Joseph “Bud” Salata.

Tom is survived by his daughter, Lisa Onate; siblings: Maxine “Bunny” Calderone, Vivian (Richard) Del Priore, Delores Onate (Tom Crowhurst), Marcus Onate, Mary “Lisa” (Walter) Pallozzi; sister-in-law, Ann Salata; brother-in-law, Joe Lempa; several nieces, nephews along with other relatives and friends.

A memorial service for Thomas Onate will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at the Farber Funeral Home, Reedsburg. Visitation will be on Saturday from 12:00 Noon until the time of the service.