Thomas Arthur Dobrowolski

 Thomas Arthur Dobrowolski, January 15, 1988 – July 19, 2024, passed away following a brief illness, leaving memories to parents Jace (Janet Christovich) and Buster (Herbert) Dobrowolski III; sisters Jennifer, Cristin and Cathryn; Godparents Margie Christovich Corristan and Greg Christovich; ‘Don’t give me all that’ Proxy Mom and confidante Jill (Jacqueline) Phillips; a full roster of aunts, uncles and cousins on both the Christovich and Dobrowolski family trees; loving friends across the miles (and years) from birth to today; and his caring, compassionate and supportive ‘Friends of Bill W.’ AA family. 

Thomas was a graduate of St. Aloysius Childcare Center and St. Aloysius Catholic School (2002) Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Duncan U. Fletcher High School (2006) Neptune Beach, Florida; Florida State College at Jacksonville (2011); and the University of North Florida Brooks College of Health (2014). He was employed by Publix Grocers - Neptune Beach, and previously by Terry’s Country Store; the Sawgrass Marriott Cabana Club; UNF Lend-A-Wing Student Food Pantry; Sodexo/Chartwells - Mayo Clinic; Compass Group - Duval County Public School System; McGowan Heating & Air, and Proctor ACE Hardware. The relationships he built and the service he provided with each of these positions was a great source of pride, and the friendships made at each were treasured every day. 

Thomas was a huge sports fan – college particularly, LSU specifically, everyone else after that other than Alabama and the Gators… He could spew out stats and facts from years before he was born, and loved every season watching whatever game was available, or replays of classics. Shaq, Angel, Flau’Jae, Livvy, Seimone, Big Baby, Faulk, Burrow… The list is endless and his support followed into their pro careers as well. He was a fan for life, bleeding Purple and Gold for sure, sometimes even Garnet & Gold in a nod to his Seminole sisters.. 

Thomas was also a pro sports fan, with an undying love for the Boston Celtics, hopefulness for his Jaguars, prayers for the Browns, and a lifelong allegiance with The Saints. His classic goodbye line was always ‘Keep it cool, Brees’. He and his Dad, his Mom, his sisters, were all part of the Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, or Sports Center viewing party, typically with lots of food and a whole lot of barking for bad calls or cheering for awesome completions. It will be hard to play the Christovich family football pool this season without his analysis and predictions.

Second – or a close equal – to sports was Thomas’s love for classic television and movies of all genre and ages. From Hitchcock suspense to Mel Brooks hilarity, he loved them all. And as a next-gen of the Boomer TV generation he could cozy up to Bewitched, Mayberry, or Matlock as easy as to Friends, Seinfeld, or Blue Bloods. He was quick with the quotes, and sharper than a sword with recollection of classic – or some not-so-classic or appropriate – lines from every show, clip, or movie he had ever seen. It was a handy skillset for Saturday night trivia at Dick’s Wings or any full-family event. 

Beyond these passions Thomas loved nature and animals. He frequently talked about ways we could take better care of our natural habitats, and how important the ‘circle of life’ was to our souls and inner happiness and peace. Marineland and the Jacksonville Zoo were among his favorite places – except on field trip days – and Seagate Avenue was his mediation spot most mornings for an early sunrise photo, prayers, and an existential chat with Grandma and Pops. It brought him great peace.

Thomas’s heart was as big as his smile, his generosity and love for life without boundaries. He loved being on life’s stage and approached every occasion with humor and a make-someone-happy objective. When a life is ended so early, it helps to believe that God had another greater need for that person, their talents, their spirit, their heart, their soul, their smile. Thomas is surely at peace and bringing happiness to others in the way God had planned for him. We are grateful for the time he shared with us and celebrate his spirit and the many smiles he brought to our hearts in his short life. He has moved on to greater purpose.

Many thanks to the staff at Millennium Physicians Group and Beaches Baptist Hospital for their care, compassion, and support of our family. And heartfelt gratitude to Cipriano & Johnson, Rule 62, and Thomas’s vast AA support team for their understanding, care, and outreach when it was most needed.

In lieu of flowers and casseroles Thomas suggested the following organizations you might give to in his memory:

National MS Society in honor of Kourtney Gabik Strickland

St. Aloysius Catholic School Annual Appeal - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

The Greater Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens

Your local ‘Friends of Bill W.’ - AA Association

And BECOME A REGISTERED ORGAN DONOR!

A Celebration of Thomas's life will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at FSCJ Deerwood Campus, 9911 Old Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, Florida, beginning with casual visitation at 2 p.m., followed by a 3 p.m. program. 

Casual 'Cajun-style' attire is preferred - Hawaiian, TV and movie vintage, or sports team jerseys. Food will follow. We hope to see you there - in the meantime, keep it cool Brees!

The Dobrowolski Family