West Virginia University - News and Information Services
Schwind memorial service is Tuesday in Michigan
Services for 20-year-old Thomas Michael Schwind of Huntington Woods, Mich, who died Aug. 18 in an off-campus house fire will be held Tuesday, Aug. 21, at St. Cecilia's Catholic Church, 11455 Livernois, Detroit, Mich.
Visitation is from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Tuesday, followed by a 12:30 p.m. service.
Schwind was a third-year physical education major at WVU and the son of Linda and Gary Schwind. He was a member of the WVU swim team.
Assistant athletic director Terri Howes along with swim coach Eric McIlquham and members of the team will be attending the service, along with Schwind’s roommates, who escaped the fire. They will take a framed certificate of special recognition to the family from WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.
The family has requested that Thomas be buried in his team uniform, and those arrangements have also been made.
"Tom was just a special man and a great kid...everyone turned to him as a leader and a friend," said McIlquham. "We, as a team, will go up as a group to the service to show our support and offer our condolences to the family and to begin the healing process."
Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity will also plan a bell ringing service in Schwind’s memory later this month.
The cause of the fire at 723 College Avenue is still under investigation.
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