Thomas A. Esposito

Thomas A. Esposito

Thomas A. Esposito, 89, died Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at St. Vincent Health Center surrounded by his loving family after a brief illness. Thomas was born February 28, 1922 in Carbondale, Pa, son of the late Santo and Filippa (Cimino) Esposito.

He moved to Erie in 1940, and worked for Marx Toys until 1958. At that time Thomas joined the Erie School District and worked in the heating division. He was given the nickname "Thunder" from his booming voice that could be heard throughout the building. He was one of the founding members of the Allied Painters Union Local 1968 and worked as the acting business agent until his retirement in 1983.

On September 14, 1945 Thomas married the love his life Mary Agresti at St. Michaels Church. Tom and Mary were happily married for 65 years. They would have celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on September 14th. Together they raised three wonderful daughters, Sandy Wojtkielewicz (John), Maria Ross (Lewis) and Felicia Kenny (Jeff). They have six grandchildren, Krista Wojtkielewicz, Sondra Friedman (Gene), Thomas Ross (fiancé Ashley Carman), Jeffery Kenny, Melissa Ross and Jennifer Kenny. Tom was also a proud great-grandparent of Kayla Friedman, Ryan Friedman and Dominic Thomas Ross. He is also survived by his brother, Dominick Esposito, sister-in-law Helen Agresti, brother-in-law Al Perseo and many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister, Carmella Iesue.

Thomas had two passions in life, the first was his family. He loved being with his family and instilled that above all else family comes first. That tradition has been passed down to four generations. His second passion in life was the New York Yankees. Thomas enjoyed listening, watching and yelling about the Yankees every chance he had. He was lucky enough to see great legends play such as Gehrig and DiMaggio. Thomas is now watching the Yankees from the best seat there is.

Thomas was also involved with many clubs and organizations such as the Giusippe Mazzini Civic Association, The Sons of Little Italy and The Ice House Gang. He was also a devoted member of St. Paul's Church

Friends are invited to call at the John R. Orlando Funeral Home, Inc., 2122 Raspberry Street, on Friday from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. and may attend service there on Saturday at noon followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Paul RC Church, 1617 Walnut Street, at 12:30 p.m. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Memorials may be made to LECOM, 1858 W Grandview Blvd., Erie, PA 16509.