ALUMNI UPDATE
Tom Persin Rest in peace Mike Feely ’89
During his tenure, Persin taught a variety of history courses, but was most noted for being a freshman World History teacher, introducing young Hilltoppers to the high expectations and rigor of a Marquette High classroom. Persin expected students to sit up straight, listen and take copious notes. He always modeled the importance of solid organization skills. Persin served many roles outside the classroom. During the early years of his career, he was active in the MUHS band program, having the distinction of being the school’s last marching bandleader in the early 1970s. He also served as the school’s athletic trainer and equipment manager. He loved to coach and brought this passion to the MUHS basketball program on the freshman level. He is also credited with building the MUHS golf program into a state contender during his 17 years as the head coach. He worked behind the scenes as a game manager for the soccer team and as the official timer at the scorer’s table for MUHS basketball. As a public address announcer for the football team, Persin called some of the most exciting games of the last 20 years with his iconic phrase, “In for the score!” when the Hilltoppers broke through the goal line. From his early years through his retirement in 2007, Persin embodied an important pragmatic attitude on a daily basis. He enforced rules that taught students the importance of maintaining dignity and professionalism. While Persin took rules and expectations seriously, he was always one to show wit and humor that was unforgettable in the minds of his students. One of his favorite sayings, especially when handing out exams, was, “It’s a can of corn,” to signify that a task could be completed with ease.
Tom Persin
A young man from Ohio, Mr. Thomas Persin joined the Marquette High faculty in 1964 and taught for 43 years, upholding the values of academic integrity, responsibility and discipline in his classroom. Persin passed away on Jan. 13, 2016, at the age of 75. When the announcement of his death was posted on the MUHS Facebook page, more than 150 people commented about the influence he had on them. One comment in particular summed it up for all who knew and loved Persin, “What a legacy he has left.”
54 MUHS Magazine
Outside of his life at MUHS, Persin supported his children’s educations by volunteering in the St. Pius X School and Parish community. He served in various capacities working for the Wisconsin Independent Schools Athletic Association and was a successful girl’s basketball coach at Pius XI High School. Persin is survived by his wife of 51 years, Judy. He is further survived by his children Julie, Jennifer, Tom Jr., Amy and Bek, and nine grandchildren.