Services held for Huntley leader

Friends, family and dozens of Huntley employees Tuesday filled the pews of Woodstock's St. Mary Catholic Church to celebrate the life of Huntley Village Manager Carl Tomaso.

Tomaso's sudden death last week at the age of 56 shocked many who knew him as the gregarious and energetic steward of Huntley's growth during the past decade.

St. Mary's pastor, Father Bob Jones, said the number of mourners at Tomaso's funeral Mass was a tribute to a man who put his family, community and church ahead of himself.

"Carl Tomaso was not a man who lived for himself," Jones said. "He lived for others."

Tuesday's Mass, which lasted about an hour and 30 minutes, included tributes from Tomaso's son, his longtime assistant at village hall, his pastor and the many Huntley employees he oversaw in his 11 years as village manager.

Police officers and Huntley public works employees lined the central aisle of the church as Tomaso's casket, draped in a white sheet weighted down by a cross, was wheeled to the altar.

Huntley's Assistant Village Manager Dave Johnson described Tomaso as a mentor who often talked about his love for his family and Chicago sports - particularly the Bears.

"He was there for all the important milestones in my adult life," Johnson said. "Carl taught me that work is extremely important for many reasons - and one of those is to support your family."

Johnson said if Tomaso could speak to the mourners, he would borrow the words of former Bears coach Mike Ditka when the Bears fired him in 1992.

"I can hear Carl telling all of us right now, 'This too shall pass,' " Johnson said.

Tomaso's son Joe spoke of his father's devotion to his family and his Catholic faith.

"All I am is because of him," Joe Tomaso said. "He was more than just my father. He was my best friend."

Father Jones described Tomaso as generous man who often volunteered at church despite his hectic schedule as village manager.

"It's ironic in some ways that he died of an enlarged heart because he had a very large heart," Jones said.

Tomaso was buried at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Woodstock as about 150 relatives, friends and Huntley employees looked on.

Memorials can be made to the Golden Anniversary Campaign at Marian Central Catholic High School, 1001 McHenry Ave., Woodstock; or to the Education Fund for Joe and Dan Tomaso, Harris Bank, 101 S. Benton St., Woodstock.