Thomas J. Cashman, 87, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, passed away peacefully and without pain from Alzheimer’s Disease on May 2, 2026. Tom died at Three Crowns Park in Evanston, IL, under the wonderful care of Covenant Hospice, surrounded by the love of his children.

Thomas Cashman was born in the Austin neighborhood of Chicago to Thomas Francis and Mary Grace Murphy Cashman. His father was a fireman and came from a large Irish family of Chicago police and firefighters. Tom graduated from Our Lady Help of Christians in 1952 was a proud graduate of Fenwick High School, Class of 1956.

After graduating from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in 1960, Tom went on to earn his master’s degree in chemistry from Northwestern University where he eventually taught classes. During that period, he also served in the intelligence department of in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox in Kentucky where he specifically translated Morse Code.

When Tom was 17 years old, his father died suddenly which profoundly impacted the rest of his life and changed its trajectory. His uncles, who had become prominent members of the Chicago Board of Trade, took him under their wings and it was at the CBOT where Tom began an over 50-year career as a broker and trader.

Tom was committed to maintaining the integrity of the exchange and the committee structure at the CBOT. He served as Chairman of the Chicago Board of Trade Floor Governance Committee, Chairman of the CBOT’s Ethics and Integrity Committee and also served on the Floor Nominating Committee.

In 1981, Tom was elected to the CBOT Board of Directors by the widest margin in exchange history.

In 2023, Tom was inducted into the Future’s Industry Association’s Hall of Fame.

Although his career was marked by great accomplishments, Tom was most passionate about his family. And outside of family and work, Tom contributed endless hours to organizations that stirred his heart. These include: serving many years as Board Member of the Irish Fellowship Club and elected its 108th president (2008-2010); Chicago Chapter Board Member, National Board Member, and President of the Ireland Funds; Board Member and President of the 100 Club of Illinois, a nonprofit providing support to the families of fallen first responders killed in the line of duty; President and Board Member of the Old St. Patrick’s Patrician Society, helping to lead the restoration of Old St. Patrick’s Church; Board Member of Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Tom was also a dedicated alumnus of all the institutions where he received his education. He served on the boards of both Fenwick High School and Loras College. He was inducted into Fenwick’s Hall of Fame in 2002. Tom also received an Honorary Doctorate from Loras College in 2003. Dubuque, Iowa, was very special to Tom because it was there where he met Jacquie, the love of his life, when both Loras and Clarke College were their respective colleges.

At the urging of his Board of Trade colleagues in 1967, Tom and his wife, Jacquie, moved to Williams Bay, Wisconsin, and immediately knew that the Geneva Lake area would be their home for life. Tom jumped into action, joining the Williams Bay Village Board, campaigning to “save the Bay,” which was an environmental effort that resulted into what is now known as the Kishwauketoe Nature Conservancy. He served twice as President of the Geneva Lake Association, the first organization established to protect Tom and Jacquie’s beloved lake. When the Environmental Education Fund was initiated in 1980, Tom was the first President. In 2016, an EEF scholarship was begun in Tom’s name. Along with his wife Jacquie, a longtime Board Member, they were benefactors of the Lake Geneva Water Safety Patrol which was very important to them.

Tom loved to play golf, and both he and Jacquie enjoyed the camaraderie of friends at the Lake Geneva Country Club. Tom served on several committees and proudly served as President of LGCC from 2002-2005.

Tom is survived by his children: Brigid J. Cashman (the late Cary Nourie), Thomas F. Cashman, John Todd Cashman and Brendan (Danielle Burgeson) E. Cashman. He is also survived by his five grandchildren: Isabella Cashman, Briona Nourie, Delia Cashman, Maeve Cashman and Liam Cashman; his sister, Dr. Mary Ann Cashman McGuire (the late Raymond Michael ‘Mickey’ McGuire) and her children Matthew, Thomas, Moira (Elias Korme), Margaret (Joshua Drewitz) McGuire and their children and grandchildren.

Tom is predeceased by his wife Jacqueline Todd Cashman, who died in 2022; his daughter Meghan Grace Cashman, who died in 2025; his parents, and many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

Finally, Thomas leaves behind countless relatives, friends and people around the world whose lives were improved through his charitable work. Known for his gracious nature, Tom was truly a gentleman. He treated everyone he knew and encountered in the same way: with dignity and respect. The Irish twinkle in his eyes will be dearly missed, but due to his humble generosity, Tom’s legacy will continue to impact world for generations to come.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to everyone at Three Crowns Park and Covenant Hospice who so lovingly cared for Tom, especially during his final days.

Visitation will take place at Cooney Funeral Home, 625 Busse Hwy, Park Ridge, IL 60068, on Wednesday, May 20 from 3:00-8:00p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, May 21 at Old St. Patrick’s Church, Chicago, Illinois at 1:30 p.m. The service will be livestreamed on www.oldstpats.org. Internment private.

In lieu of flowers please consider supporting one of the charities that Tom held so closely to his heart: The 100 Club of Illinois, EEF Scholars (Geneva Lake Environmental Education Foundation), and Kishwauketoe Nature Preserve.

Arrangements entrusted to Peter B. Kennedy & Co., Funeral Directors. Funeral Info: 847-605-1002