References

To Whom It May Concern:

We have known Thomas Etier for the past 25 years and have considered him a family man who cares for his wife, two daughters, mother, as well as his in-laws. He is a true professional, upstanding member of our community, and friend.

There has never been an instance when Tom did not offer his help when needed, be it financial or otherwise, to those in need. For example, the time and energy he has dedicated to the Cosmopolitan International organization is endless. He is a true leader who inspires others to contribute their time and talents as he has. Furthermore, Tom is a prime example of a man who is passionate about making this world a better place for those less fortunate.

As a businessman, Tom is the definition of a salesman who does not only sell to make money to support his family, but his employees as well. Tom is very generous with his employees and has gone way above the call of duty when hardship hits them and their families.

In short, Tom is a wonderful person who truly does make this world a better place. I feel quite honored that he considers us to be among those who he can count on in his time of need.

Thank you,
Damian and Karen Czechorski

To Whom It May Concern:

I have known Tom Etier for over 30 years and can say he is the most compassionate and empathetic person I know. In fact, I often call him George Bailey (from the movie —”It’s a wonderful life”) because of his willingness to help anyone in need.

Let me convey a few examples:

A few years back my now x-wife told me that she wanted a divorce. Tom was the first person I called, as I was devastated. Tommy not only helped me emotionally through this difficult time but also connected me with the right people who could help. He then called me once a week to check on how I was doing.

Just over a year ago my daughter told me that she was considering suicide because of depression and her inability to get a job. Tom immediately reached out to his business contacts in Rockford and got her a job within 48 hours. That job kick-started her career and life. She is now doing great and is one of the top performers at Kohl’s department stores.

After my brother’s son committed suicide, Tom was there for him and helped him tremendously through that difficult time in his life.

Tommy has always been a dear friend to my family and me and has always been there for us in good times and bad.

Tom is a great father, friend, and husband. I hold him in the highest regard and feel very fortunate to be able to call him my friend.

Sincerely,

Dave Roberts
3405 SW Lundgren Terrace
Beaverton, OR 97005

Reginald (Reggie) Roberson
5901J Wyoming Blvd NE #105
Albuquerque, NM 87109

To Whom It May Concern:

I have known Tom Etier for 24 years. As a former Rockford resident, I did business with Tom as he was my insurance agent. Tom continued to be my agent until I no longer had a business in 2009. During that time Tom had also become a very close personal friend. Tom recruited me into the Rockford Cosmopolitan Club and recruited/involved me in many other charitable ventures.

I know Tom as a successful businessman, a great husband and father, and a friend. On top of all that I have watched Tom consult, support, and provide tremendous financial and emotional support to people and organizations who really needed it. He has supported friends who were at rock bottom and his compassion and friendship to others has always left an impression on me. Tom has often been the last friend available to friends of his.

Tom’s children are wonderful adults because of Tom and Karen’s parental leadership, love, and support. They have coached and supported their girls through their entry into adulthood with love and compassion as well as steady guidance.

Tom is a tremendous asset to the community in so many ways. I am proud to call Tom a friend and more importantly as a person I am blessed to have in my life.

Regards,
Reggie Roberson

To Whom it May Concern,

My name is Richard J. Trofimuk. The core beliefs that I hold dearest to my heart are embodied in the man I am honored to have called my best friend for fifty years, Tom Etier.

Our shared philosophy, most of which I learned by the real life examples from Tom, is exemplified by: integrity, loyalty, family, love, empathy. And maybe the most important of all, Tom’s relentless, all out act of giving – always and everywhere, to anyone who needs it, in anyway he can.

Tom has raised two amazing daughters that carry with them the best of his qualities and I love them so very much because of this. Which brings me to my final thoughts, the most important person in the world to me is my daughter. If anything ever happens to me and I’m not around anymore, Tom is the one person I would put my faith and trust in to guide her throughout her life!

I cannot emphasize enough all that Tom means to me and how I’ve spent my entire life trying to emulate the qualities he embodies and displays daily in our world! I am proud of the men we’ve become.

Sincerely,
Richard J. Trofimuk

To Whom It May Concern:

I’ve been an employee of Tom Etiers’ at Keyestone Insurance Agency, Inc. for 14 ½ wonderful years. Minutes into my second day at Keystone, sadness surrounded the office by the death of Tom’s bookkeepers much too young sister and mother of 4. Instantly Tom was by her side offering his sympathy, comfort and guidance to the hospital to be with her family. Little did I know that I would be experiencing this same love, kindness and support throughout the years to come.

Unbeknownst to me, when I first started at Keystone Insurance, Tom’s teenage daughter was battling cancer. I first handedly witnessed his strong faith, deep family ties, constant support, kind heart and touching Father’s love. He not only loves his family unconditionally, he loves and has extended a helping hand to friends and to the less fortunate of our community, over and over again over the years.

Tom guided two employees through cancer, one with severe diabetes issues, me with a concussion and another dealing with the suicide of her son. He has been a faithful, patient, loving and caring man, and continues to be. How could we have gotten through so much without him?

Tom is a true community leader and supporter of many organizations. He’s called upon often to head fund raisers, sit on boards and organize events in the community. He so willingly accepts the challenge and opportunity to make a difference.

As a boss, Tom is too good to be true. He runs a very profitable business with a staff he treats like gold. His platform is “Family First”. He’s supported employees through good times and bad. He never wavers. Tom is always available. Tom never boasts. Tom doesn’t judge anyone. Tom is someone you can confide in, trust in and learn from. The Toms’ of our world are far and few between. He regularly finds time to take his employees to lunch, county fairs, major league baseball games, concerts, plays, spa outings, shopping sprees, tours, and on top of all of that, he so generously recognizes his staff with monetary bonuses throughout the year.

Tom sets and meets personal and business goals every year. He is a highly regarded, respected man and agency owner in the insurance world and community. So it came as no surprise when he was recognized by Rockford Register Star readers as Best Insurance Agent in What Rocks 2015.

Tom is a one of a kind compassionate person. His family is his wealth, his friends are countless, his love is unmeasureable, and his faith is unshakeable. I’m a better person because of Tom. I’m not only honored to be a part of Keystone on Phelps, I’m truly blessed.

Sincerely,
Jolene Kowalski

To whom it may concern;

I would like to write to you and describe the man I know Tom Etier. I would further like to tell you, based on my life experiences, why I truly know that Tom is a once in a lifetime friend.

Tom and I became friends over 20 years ago through a mutual friend and carne to speak to me about my business insurance. Tom was open, honest and forthright giving me an honest assessment of what was good and bad about my current coverage. Tom and I immediately clicked and not only did I go with his insurance but we became instant friends.

As fellow business owners, family men and lovers of golf we quickly formed an inseparable bond. A bond that we both dearly loved. We truly cared about each other’s wellbeing and each other’s family. We would spend time on the golf course where we became formidable teammates to the chagrin of our co club members. Our friendship grew to include both our wives and our daughters. Tom has two daughters and so did I. We went on family outings together, vacations together. We enjoyed life together. Any big moment in each of our lives was immediately shared with each other.

Over time we became very close. We called each other for personal and professional advice. I became close to his family and Tom became close to mine. Tommy was always there for me when I called and needed him. I was the first person Tommy called and remember the day so vividly when Tommy called and told me his daughter Alyssa had cancer. We sat together and cried and comforted each other.

Tommy and I pledged to each other that if anything happened to either of us that we would look after each other’s children. This was a huge comfort for me. I believed in my heart that Tommy would always be there for me. I believed Tommy’s heart was pure and genuine. I truly believed this. This belief in my heart became prophetic.

People of faith know it is written that darkness comes in every life. My life was no exception to this scripture and in late 2009 my life changed forever. In a matter of a few short months I lost my business to the great recession and my wife of 25 plus years, who I adored, started having an affair. My once strong spirit and conviction was destroyed. I lost my will. I turned to alcohol for relief. The alcohol slowly started to ruin my life. Through this I started to lose friends with every incident I had. Rehab after rehab. I once had hundreds of friends and they suddenly started fading away. One by one. I could not blame them.

By the time I received a DUI I only had one friend left. This was Tommy. And not a friend that would just say he was still my friend. An intentional friend that called me, visited me, encouraged me. I struggled with breaking the law. My path was dark. I struggled with incarceration and Tommy was there for me. I struggled with lying in a hospital bed and the doctors telling my family I may not live. Tommy was there for me. This is unconditional love. Unconditional. And Tommy would do even more for me.

My pain and suffering had ups and downs but over time it just kept getting worse. The bottom came when I had relapsed in St. Charles. Living all alone Tommy came for me to help. He took me to Rockford Memorial Hospital. I, in a state of relapse, fled the hospital taking an ambulance. The authorities were looking for me. My face was broadcast all over the press. No one and I mean no one wanted anything to do with me.

It was Tommy that called me and got me to turn myself in. He could have had enough of me by then and I would not have blamed him. But this is my dear friend Tommy Etier. He never left my side. He helped me during my incarceration. He called and checked on my family. He met with my daughters and, as promised, asked if they needed anything. He took a beating from all his friends about me. He was on a family vacation in Cabo Mexico with good friends when the verbal abuse came to him from these friends and his wife about being my friend and that he should abandon me. My friend Tommy told them very emphatically that if one more word against his dear friend Paul was spoken that he was leaving immediately and going home on the next flight. This is a true friend.

My life got better. I have made the changes in my life and love my life today. Tommy has walked right by my side through this whole journey. I owe Tommy a huge debt of gratitude for his great participation in getting me to where I am today. Our bond and friendship is forever.

You may think this story is unusual and hard to fathom. I get that because the perception is that people this good with this kind of heart simply do not exist in our world of instant gratification. If so, then I encourage you to meet with me and look me in the eye as I tell you my story and how much I believe Tommy helped literally save my life.

This is just my story. Tom Etier is this kind of friend to many. When Tom Etier says he is your friend then it’s for life. Tom Etier is this kind of Father. Tom Etier if this kind of Husband. Tom Etier is this kind of man. Tom is the first person charitable organizations call for help because they know he will say yes. Tom Etier cares deeply for our community and for our city. Tom Etier is a better person for living through this current difficulty. I believe in Tom Etier.

I will close by stating this: Tom Etier is a once in a lifetime friend, an incredible father and husband, that I love dearly and that I thank God each and every day for.

Tom Etier is my cherished friend for life.

Sincerely,

Paul S. Chandler