Thomas Vincent Salkoski

Thomas Vincent Salkoski passed away on March 21, 2024, in Terre Haute, Indiana. He was 63.

Tom was born on December 8, 1960, in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Baltimore, Maryland. He was the third son of Ted and Dolores “Sue” (Carey) Salkoski, and the little brother to Teddy and Todd. For a few years, Tom was the youngest, but at age 3 took on the role of big brother to his sister, Judy.

In his elementary years, the family moved to Moundsville, West Virginia and lived there for 3 years. In 1971, the family moved again, this time to Cambridge City, IN. Tom graduated from Lincoln High School in 1978. Cambridge City and communities nearby would be Tom’s home for most of his life, although he did live for a couple years in Delaware and Massachusetts before returning to Richmond, Hagerstown and New Castle. Tom was a Hoosier at heart. His last residence was in Bloomfield, Indiana with his beloved wife, Karen Holz.

Tom was previously married in the early 90’s and became a dad in 1995 to his daughter Alison, whom he adored. Tom could be very silly, which the family kids loved. He was a devoted Pop Pop to Alison’s sons, Atlas and Aslan. Pop Pop was a name Tom chose intentionally to honor his grandfather, Charles Carey.

In 2020, Tom tumbled head over feet in love with a ’78 classmate from Lincoln, Karen (Hankosky) Holz. It was mutual, and those two clicked. They married in 2021 and shared 3 years of heartfelt happiness. Tom loved his expanded family with Karen, the country lifestyle in Bloomfield, the adventures he and Karen shared, and the “criminals” (dogs and cats). It was truly a match that was meant to be. Many say we wish it had happened sooner.

Tom and Karen loved to take “adventures,” as they called them, and would get lost even with or because of GPS. They always started their trips with “God keep us safe” and a kiss. They wanted to travel to all 92 counties in Indiana but disagreed on when a county counted. Tom said as long as they drove through it, it counted. Karen said they needed at least to do something in the county for it to count. Tom had 60 counties down — Karen 44.

Tom and Karen loved bird watching whether at home or on the road. Tom especially enjoyed seeing the eagle over the White River, the flock of turkeys, sandhill cranes, a great blue heron, and his hawk which he named Tony. Tony lived in the woods close to Tom and Karen’s home. Other visitors like the pileated woodpeckers, Baltimore orioles, and hummingbirds who visited home brought big smiles to Tom and Karen.

Tom was passionate about his Baltimore Orioles (now we’re talking baseball). It was in his DNA. On the smaller scale, he had fun playing board games like Battleship and Scrabble, and recently started playing Backgammon again with Karen. They laughed, because both had to re-learn the rules. Tom also had a great time figuring out his Fantasy Sports Teams; he was very good at it and usually finished in 1st or 2nd place each season.

Tom had some very special relationships over the years. The next door neighbors way back in the West Virginia years – Tex and Linda – Tom stayed in touch with to the end. Tom met his best friend ever, Bill Zook, on the school bus as a 6th grader when the family moved to Cambridge City. Tom and Bill had the bond of brothers. He had a dear friend and New Castle roommate, Rachelle Roberts. Many people touched Tom’s life. He appreciated you.

As a bonus to his marriage with Karen, Tom gained new family members including Karen’s daughter Michelle and granddaughter, Delaney, and Karen’s brothers, Kevin and Kurt Hankosky.

Tom Salkoski was a good person, kind, a family guy, a friend you’d want to have. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Sue, and his older brother Teddy. He is survived by his wife, Karen (Hankosky) Holz, by his brother Todd (Dana) Salkoski and sister Judy (Joe) Olson, by his daughter, Alison (Adam) Guy, and grandsons Atlas and Aslan. Tom also is remembered by Michelle (Kyle) Holz and granddaughter, Delaney, a niece and nephews, their children, cousins, an aunt and uncle, and his Hot Wheels car companion, Knox. Special shout out to Meko and all the cats and dogs who gave him such joy.

Memorial gifts may be made to local animal shelters or Indiana State Parks. Services will be private.