Thomas M. "Tom" Furlong

Thomas M. "Tom" Furlong, a life-long resident and long-time business owner in Hastings, died peacefully surrounded by his loving family at the age of 87, on Friday evening, November 23, 2018. Tom lived a full and memorable life with an underlying mission to help others. He was raised on the family farm in Hastings where he learned the value of hard work. In his early years he worked side by side with his father, two brothers, John and Jim, and sister, Betty. The farm consisted of crops: corn, wheat, and soybeans, as well as cattle. In 1954, Tom was drafted into the United States Army and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan, prior to his Honorable Discharge. Tom returned to Hastings after his time in the service to continue to help on the family farm, and in time, to manage and operate it on his own. He also had farmland in Roberts, Wisconsin, and Red Wing. Later on, he developed some of the land in Roberts into an industrial park. In 1962, Tom along with his business partner, developed Afton Alps Ski Area, which opened in 1963. This new venture took a lot of hard work and faith to make it succeed. With much effort on his part, it was a tremendous business success. Afton Alps allowed him to work with many individuals who he mentored in the skill of manual labor, hard work, good work ethics, and to take pride in their work. As years went by, the success of Afton Alps drew the attention of Vail Resorts, who ultimately ended up purchasing the business. Getting out of the skiing and winter recreational business allowed him to enjoy winters in the Arizona sun. He still had the drive to be involved in the recreational business world and later developed his farmland in Hastings into Emerald Greens Golf Course and two housing developments. In 1964, he met his future wife, Carrie Dabruzzi, at a catholic singles event which she joined following the death of her first husband in the Navy. During his courtship with Carrie, he was introduced to her three children whom he loved from the beginning and raised them as his own. They were later married on July 3, 1965 and added five more children to their family. In 1971, their infant son Timothy went home to be with the Lord. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, John, Betty, and Jim; and by his infant son, Timothy. Tom is survived by his loving wife, Carrie; children, Viv (Craig) Lindstrom, Joe Dabruzzi, Carl (Heidi) Dabruzzi, Tom (Renee) Furlong, Tricia (Dan) Pelava, Kelli (John) Barry, and Shawn (Paul) Lindstrom; twenty grandchildren and six great grandchildren, and by many other relatives and friends. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, November 28, 2018, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Hastings, with Father David Hennen officiating. Interment will be held at St. Patrick Cemetery in Inver Grove Heights. Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and also to a reception following Mass, all at church. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Dakota County Sheriffs Office, Hastings Fire Department, or to the donors choice in memory of Tom. Arrangements are being completed by Caturia, Smidt Starkson Funeral Home Crematory of Hastings.