BY JOE ROSSITER • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • September 16, 2008

Macomb County Road Commissioner Tom Raymus, a retired Detroit police administrator whose career in public service spanned nearly half a century, died of prostate cancer Sunday at St. John Hospital in Detroit. He was 78.

Mr. Raymus of St. Clair Shores also was diagnosed with colon and bone cancer over a 20-year period. Although no further treatment could help, he continued going to work, his wife said.

"That's how dedicated he was. He just wouldn't let anything slow him down," said Martha Raymus, his wife of 24 years.

After joining the Detroit Police Department in 1955 as a patrolman, he rose to the rank of precinct commander before his retirement in 1992. He was elected to the Macomb County Board of Commissioners in 1996 and five years later was named to the county's three-member road commission board.

"He contributed a great deal to the residents of Macomb County and was an exemplary role model," said Paula Crouchman, a road commission administrator. "Even though this is a part-time position, he took the job seriously and was here all of the time."

Born in Detroit, Mr. Raymus received a bachelor's degree from Detroit Institute of Technology before serving with the Army during the Korean War. He later earned a master's of arts degree from Central Michigan University in 1979.

Besides his wife, survivors include daughters Rhonda Palazzola, Rochelle Martin, Lisa Collins, Theresa Heckathorn, Jerrianna Raymus and Marti Raymus; sons Alfred Bullock and Richard Raymus; 16 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is Thursday and Friday from 2 to 8 p.m. at A. H. Peters Funeral Home, 20705 Mack Ave., Grosse Pointe Woods. An Alhambra rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Thursday.

Funeral services are at noon Saturday at the funeral home. The body will be cremated.

Thomas RAYMUS