Thomas Joseph Krizek

Dr. Thomas Joseph Krizek of Whittier, NC died on August 5th after his struggle with cancer. He was the most faithful of Catholics, belonging to Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Cherokee, a part of St Joseph's Parish of Bryson City. Trained in Jesuit schools in Milwaukee, WI he followed the Jesuit admonition, daring to "follow the question where it leads." In doing so, he grew in his humanity and love of God. As a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Krizek published in many juried medical journals and taught in many medical schools: University Hospitals of Cleveland, Johns Hopkins University, Yale University, Columbia University, University of Southern California, University of Chicago and University of South Florida. He loved teaching, and taught with passion, style and humor. He was beloved among his medical students and residents, many of whom now also teach in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in medical school residency programs across the country. After retiring from the practice of surgery, he pursued his love of learning and religion and received a Masters in Religious Studies and taught once more, but just in a different milieu. He was a master teacher all his life Dr. Krizek was born in Milwaukee to Elizabeth (nee Flynn) and Chester Krizek on December 1, 1932. He graduated from Marquette High School, Marquette University and Marquette Medical School (now Medical College of Wisconsin) all in Milwaukee. His three cherished children from his marriage to Marilyn Bayline Krizek, Branford, CT: Thomas Jr., Atlanta, GA, Kelly Ann Criscuolo (Jason Wong), Guilford, CT, and Mary Ellen Burgard (Timothy), Milford, CT, survive him. He married Claudette Reid Cannon in 1977 and she and his two cherished stepsons, Clifton Lee Cannon, Portland, OR and Timothy Clay Cannon (Amy Yribar) Hanoi, Vietnam, also survive. He has six dear grandchildren, Emily Ann Criscuolo, Isaac Josue' Cannon, Lucas Shaun and Ethan Benjamin Burgard and Thomas Dmitry (Dima) and Valentina Emilia Krizek and many nephews and nieces. His sister, Mary Krizek Slater (Paul) Cheyenne WY, preceded him in death. His sisters, Elizabeth Harwood, Thiensville, WI and Kathryn Flynn, Denver, CO, survive him. A funeral mass will be held at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 84 Lambert Branch Rd, Cherokee, NC 28719, at 2pm on Friday, August 21, 2015. A reception will follow, location to be announced at services. A private Service of Interment will follow in the fall at Mepkin Abbey, South Carolina. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 12502 USF Pine Dr. Tampa, FL 33612 c/o Alicia Lyons in the name of Thomas J. Krizek MD for Spinal Surgery Section. . .