Thomas Jon Harwood of Brecksville died Friday at the age of 74.

Family was the most important part of Harwood’s life, said his son, councilman Michael Harwood. All of Harwood’s children and grandchildren still lived in the community that he had grown up in, and he recently celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary.

“Family was his priority over everything else,” Michael Harwood said.

Harwood was the husband of Carole (nee Williams), father of Michael (Debbie), Patricia, and Timothy (Erin), grandfather to Justin, Emily, Daniel, Matthew and Alexander, great grandfather to Adyson and brother to James. He was retired and a former member of the Army National Guard of Ohio.

There will be a service at 10 a.m. on Thursday at St. Basil the Great Church. The interment will be private. Instead of flowers, contributions may be sent to Autism Speaks, 4700 Rockside Road, #408, Independence, or the UH Seidman Cancer Center at Southwest General, 18697 Bagley Road, Middleburg Heights.

Mullaney-Barth Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements and provided some of the information above.