Thomas Walter Loy, Sr.

Thomas Walter Loy, Sr., age 84, passed away on Sunday, August 9, 2026, in Salterra of Chesterfield, after seeing his two sons, two of his grandsons, and two great-grandsons in recent days. Tom was born August 12, 1941, in Detroit, Ml, to Walter and Anne Loy. Tom graduated from Harper Woods High School and went to work for General Motors Photographic. Upon retiring from General Motors in the 1990's, Tom immediately went to work obtaining his captain's license. Tom quickly became respected as BigFish Charter Services in Algonac, MI. Captain Tom loved fishing and was well-known for finding muskie, salmon, and sturgeon in the Lake St. Clair and Huron waters. He enjoyed taking all kinds of people on his boat, and supported the Michigan-Ontario Muskie Club (MOMC) and St. Clair-Detroit River Sturgeon group. Tom also enjoyed giving boat lessons and delivering boats via the Great Lakes waterways to locations from Chicago to North Carolina. He often navigated through New York on the Erie Canal and described artfully moving through the locks and channels. Tom enjoyed people and loved teaching others and sharing what he had learned along the way. Tom met Heather when she called him to make arrangements for a fishing charter. He always told everyone, "she called me first!" The two shared the last nine years together, and enjoyed living on the water in Algonac and spending a few months in the Florida Keys every winter. Tom is survived by his partner Heather Helton, his sons: Thomas Walter Loy, Jr., (Kelly) and Jeffrey Michael Loy (Amy Cohen); his six grandchildren: Justin (Stephanie), Garrett (Abby), Caleb (Kendi), Grace, Katelyn, Beckett; and his eight great-grandchildren: Eden, Cooper, Aria, Griffynn, Jackson, Kynlee, Oliver, Steele; as well as brother-in-law Harvey Gilley, niece Gena Driscoll (Dan). Tom was preceded in death by his sister, Eva (Loy) Gilley, and his parents, Walter and Anne. Captain Tom will be remembered for his way of making you feel acknowledged, encouraged, and supported in what you do, with his voice saying "I think that's great, I am proud of you!" He will also be remembered for his teaching about his love of the water, fishing, and friendships over the years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Clair-Detroit River Sturgeons for Tomorrow Program. You can donate using the PayPal link on their website at www.stclairsturgeon.org or through their Venmo account; Venmo@StClairSturgeon.

Thomas Walter Loy, Sr.

August 12, 1941 - August 9, 2026