Thomas "Tom" Eugene Trione, Sr. passed away suddenly the evening of December 20, 2019 after a final Friday night date with his wife of thirty-five years, Glenna "Susan" Trione.

A loving father, avid horseman and proud railroad worker, Tom was born in East St. Louis, IL on July 29, 1941. He grew up as the second-oldest in a boisterous family of four siblings with whom he shared jobs and hobbies and remained close throughout his life. As a kid, Tom loved Boy Scouts, eventually becoming an Eagle Scout, and ran track and played football in high school.

He married his first wife, MaeDell, at 20 and soon welcomed two children, Tommy and Terry. The family moved to Maryville, IL, where Tom volunteered as a fire fighter, served on the Village Board and loved cheering on his kids' high school activities.

He had begun working at the Rose Lake rail yard after high school and remained there for more than 40 years, primarily as a switchman for Conrail. Proud to be an advocate for workers, Tom also helped lead his local union, formerly known as the United Transportation Union, in a variety of leadership roles until his retirement.

He met "the love of his life", Susan, in 1983 and had fallen hard within a couple weeks -- although he didn't admit that until decades later. They married the following year and took care of each other through thick and thin until his last breath. With their union, Tom ushered a second wave of kids, Megan, Matt, Jay, Jenifer and Sarah, into his life.

That life was filled with Tom's foremost passion: Horses. Tom caught the horse racing bug after a stint of stock car racing and not only became a trainer within a couple years -- his hobby inspired a family affair spanning multiple generations, initially involving his father Charles, brothers Chuck and Jack and sister Mary Ann.

As his life progressed, Tom's love for horses remained contagious. Tommy followed in his footsteps as a skilled trainer, in partnership with his wife Stephanie. Every single kid, niece and nephew in the family found themselves handling hay or horse feed at one point or another and Susan and Jay became deeply involved in the horses' daily care.

Over five decades as the heart and soul of Trione Stables, Tom ended more than 230 races in the winner's circle at Fairmount Park Racetrack and Cahokia Downs, often holding either a horse or a trophy with a big grin. A gentle, honest soul, he ensured the humane care of his horses as they retired.

He also loved watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who called him "Paco", play and reading his two newspapers every day. Beyond his immediate family, Tom was beloved by many nieces and nephews; close family friends; and his large, goofy dog.

He is survived by his wife Glenna "Susan" Trione nee Stough and children, grandchildren and greatchildren:

Thomas "Tommy" Eugene Trione, Jr. and his wife Stephanie Bales-Trione and children Thomas Nicholas Trione, Morgan Trione and Thomas James "TJ" Trione.

Terry Beth Watsek nee Trione and her husband Raymond "Ray" Watsek and children William Cameron Lane and his wife Peyton Lane; Grant Thomas Lane and his wife Kayla Lane and their children Brogan Lane, Deegan Lane and Raygan Lane; and Anna Watsek.

Megan Macaraeg and her children Susannah Molina Macaraeg and Joannah Molina Macaraeg; Matthew Macaraeg and his wife Michele Macaraeg and children Sophia Bauer-Macaraeg, Austin Henson, Brandon Henson, Victoria "Tori" Smith and her husband Caleb Smith and Madeline Macaraeg; Jenifer Wallis nee Macaraeg and her daughter Cassidy Wallis; and Sarah Macaraeg.

Tom is also survived by his brothers Charles "Chuck" Trione and John "Jack" Trione and sister Mary Ann Hall.

He was preceded in death by his mother Eunice Elizabeth Trione nee James and father Charles Trione; his sister-in-law Colleen Trione nee Dill and his brother-in-law Carl "Bud" Hall, Jr.

SERVICES: Family, friends and lovers of horses and labor unions are invited to attend the visitation and memorial service to celebrate Tom's life at Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center St., Maryville, IL 62062. The visitation will take place Friday, December 27 from 4 to 7 pm and the memorial service will be Saturday, December 28 at 11 am.

DONATIONS: Donations can be made in Tom's honor to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) or Canter Illinois . The ADA is a non-profit that advocates for affordable insulin and Canter is a non-profit that helps "rehab, retrain and rehome" retiring thoroughbreds.  Memorials will be received at the funeral home.