I knew Tom for 70 years, we first met in first grade at Our Lady of Hungary School and have been close friends ever since. He was in our wedding, For the last 10 years we had been extremely close talking on the phone three times a week for a hour each time, you could guess who did most of the talking! We talked about our lives, how lucky we were to have such great loving parents, church, opportunities for education, friends and the values we learned from them and especially our spouses who's love and support carried us through the trials of modern times. Tom's most outstanding trait was his passion for life. He loved and cared about everyone, not only those close to him and his students, but he had the compassion to spot the less fortunate and often bought groceries and gave money to persons he met shopping. He loved giving to charities and believed in many worthy causes.
Tom was fortunate to have two interesting sets on Genes, one His Italian side which loves life made him a happy easy going person sensitive to others and his Hungarian side, a little more stubborn with a lust for Goulash, Lungalo, Kifflies and other high cholesterol stuff!
Whatever he did it was with passion, Teaching, coaching, praying, camping, partying , fighting Irish, spoiling his grand kids, but compassionately, but firmly raising his three wonderful kids. Tom was a story teller and could remember small incidents that occurred many years ago to the smallest detail. He was truthful, emotional and could laugh one minute and cry the next. He was not ashamed to show his feelings. Tom, being the oldest of his siblings became the patriarch of the family holding Court at reunions, consoling others and giving advice even thou he carried his own burden the last few years.
JoAnn and I offer out condolences to Terri, John, Ann & Mary, spouses and the grand kids on their loss and the rest of the Mauro Clan also.
Tom sure lived the gospel with his life! Gary