John Thomas Alich “Tom”, age 52, passed away at home on Wednesday, September 21 after an 11 month battle with pancreatic cancer.

Tom is survived by wife Charity, son Christopher Alich, daughters Heather Newton and Michelle Alich, three grandchildren Gavin, Carson and Aubrey, his parents John and Jeanine Alich, sister Elizabeth Opdahl, and brothers James and Peter Alich.

Tom retired from the US Army Reserve as a Military Police Sergeant First Class with 16 years of active service and combined 30 years in uniform. During this time he participated in several operational deployments including: Panama, Egypt, Honduras, Operation Desert Storm and Shield, Operation Joint Guardian (Kosovo) and Operation Iraqi Freedom. After transitioning from active duty military Tom worked with Alliant and GSSC Security companies, from 2002-2009 he worked for the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), in 2009 he began working for the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) St. Paul District as a Physical Security Specialist and Anti-Terrorism Officer.

Tom’s tremendous love for the outdoors was matched by few as he enjoyed camping, hunting, geocaching, 4-wheeling and snowmobiling. However, his most favorite past time was watching his grandchildren play and spending time with family and friends.

Services will be held Wednesday, September 28th at Fort Snelling Historical Chapel (Intersection of Highways 5, 55 and 62) visitation starts @ 9:00am, services begin @ 10:00am, burial at Fort Snelling Cemetery @ 11:45am, assembly #3; with Celebration of Life to be held at the Blaine VFW @ from 1:00-4:00pm.

If you are sending flowers please send to Kozlak-Radulovich Funeral Chapels, 1385 – 107th Ave. NE, Blaine, MN 55434 by 5:00pm Tuesday September 27th.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to a charity of choice in Tom’s name or an alternate gift.