Last week, a dear Hospice of the Calumet Area friend and supporter Tom Largus passed away.
In 2017, Largus was recognized and honored during HCA's Seeds of Hope Dinner for his numerous contributions and inspiring story.
Largus Graphix Solutions President Tom Largus' story began when he took over the family printing business. Largus once admitted he no idea how much of a difference he would have made on his community.
“I went away to school and never really thought about running the family business all that much,” Largus said. “After all these years, our philosophy hasn’t really changed. My father always said if you treat people with respect and dignity, you will never have anything to worry about.”
Largus took that philosophy onto the football field. He spent over three decades coaching and mentoring young men on and off the football field.
The Friends of Hospice held its annual Seeds of Hope dinner on Thursday, May 4, 2017, at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts. The event raised $69,000 for patient and family services, including funds to help replace patient beds at the William J. Riley Memorial Residence, HCA' in-patient facility. The evening featured music, raffle baskets and a spirited live auction. Honoree Tom Largus was recognized for his many years of service to Hospice of the Calumet Area and for his unwavering commitment to his community. Largus coached football at Munster High School since the late ’80s.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized by Hospice of the Calumet Area,” Tom Largus said. “I feel very lucky to work with student-athletes and help mold them into young men. It’s more than just a game, they need to be supported and encouraged because they are our future leaders and decision makers.”
Largus always applauded Hospice of the Calumet Area for going “above and beyond.”
“I have great respect for the work provided for both patients and families going through difficult times,” Largus said. “I’ll never forget when my father told his doctor that he just wanted to die with dignity. With the professional care provided by Hospice of the Calumet Area, he was able to get just what he wanted, and our family will forever be grateful for that beautiful gift.”
Largus was also a gift.
Former player Mitch LaRock, of Forever Young Sports in Crown Point, said "Coach Largus was one-of-a-kind."
"He pushed me to perform and you don't see many coaches truly love their kids to the degree that he did," said LaRock. "I will be forever grateful for the impact he made on me and so many others that had the honor of calling him Coach. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family."
Hospice of the Calumet Area CEO Adrianne May was grateful and appreciative for the relationship the organization experienced with Tom Largus.
"He was such a good man," said May. "It's a very sad day and a huge loss for this community."
