Thomas Robert Paget

Thomas Robert Paget, age 86, of Solon, Ohio, passed away on September 21, 2026, in Cleveland, following an illness this summer. Born on September 17, 1940, in St. Catharines, Ontario, Tom lived a full and busy life marked by boundless energy, lively conversation, a calm and steady spirit, and devotion to his family.

The oldest of four children of Thomas and Barbara (Byers) Paget, Tom grew up in St. Catharines and graduated from St. Catharines Collegiate. He went on to study engineering at the Ryerson Institute of Technology in Toronto, and later earned his MBA from the State University of New York at Buffalo.

Tom met the love of his life, Katherine "Kay" Barnas, at a dance club in Niagara Falls. It was Kay who brought him across the border to Buffalo, and the two married in 1965, beginning a partnership that lasted 55 years. Together they raised their only daughter, Kara, in Hudson, Ohio.

Tom built a long career in manufacturing engineering, spending many years at TRW before finishing his career in Kansas City. Wherever he worked, he poured real passion into both the products and the processes behind them. After retiring, he and Kay returned to Ohio to enjoy life and spend time with their daughter and two grandchildren.

A proud Canadian at heart, Tom became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1984 but never lost his love for his native country. He was a lifelong hockey fan and could always be counted on to slip in an "eh" every once in a while.

Tom was rarely still. Those who knew him can still picture him out in the yard, cheering on his grandson at the hockey rink, applauding his granddaughter at her vocal performances, or settled in front of his favorite Cleveland teams on TV. He loved golf, gardening, and cars, and he never passed up a good discussion. Yet he was also the calm in any room, a steady voice of reason his family relied on. And no one will forget his one-of-a-kind pronunciations: "De-troy-it," "Mer-lott" (with the t, of course), and "Parmeeshin" were never quite the same once Tom said them.

Tom was deeply proud of his daughter, Kara, especially when she bought her own business, Galvin Therapy Center, and he worked right beside her there for years. As a grandpa, he loved telling stories and giving advice. Most of all, he loved planning wonderful family vacations to Hilton Head Island and Italy.

Tom and Kay treasured the lifelong friends they made in St. Catharines, Buffalo, Hudson, and every place they called home along the way. This past May, Tom was able to reunite with many of his St. Catharines friends for one more round of stories and laughs. Among his oldest and dearest friends were Walt and Carol Lastewka.

Tom is survived by his devoted daughter, Kara Paget Brogan; his beloved grandchildren, Maeve and Finn; and his sisters, Kathy and Barbara. He was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Kay; his parents, Thomas and Barbara; and his brother, Peter.

Tom's life was one of openness, honest communication, fairness, and love of family. Those who knew him will remember a man who was always doing something, always ready to listen, and always there for the people he loved

Cremation by DeJohn Crematory in South Euclid. ALL SERVICES PRIVATE.