Mr. Thomas J. "Tom" Talerico

E. UTICA – Mr. Thomas J. “Tom” Talerico passed away peacefully and was reunited with his beloved wife, Lucy, on December 11, 2024, after an accomplished 100 years of life. Born in Utica on March 10, 1924, Thomas was the son of the late Dominick and Anna (Talarico) Talerico. He attended local schools, including MVCC. Tom joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943, serving 3 years in the European Theater of Operations. While in the service, Tom spent time as a special guard at the Palace of Justice during the Nuremberg trials. He also earned several awards and medals and was especially proud to be the recipient of a Purple Heart prior to his honorable discharge in 1946. On September 23, 1956, in a civil union performed by a Justice of the Peace, Tom wed the former Lucy M. Castano. In August of 1957, the couple had their nuptial vows blessed before the Lord at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church. Once they were wed, their life became one story. Tom and Lucy spent nearly 67 inseparable years together prior to Lucy's passing on March 1, 2023. Tom possessed a strong work ethic that he carried throughout his adulthood. He spent most of his career as an Electronic Technician with the General Electric Co. at their Bleecker St. location, the position from which he retired in 1985 after over 38 years of dedicated service to the company. Simultaneously, he also worked part-time for the U.S. Postal Service during the holiday seasons. Tom excelled in all kinds of sports, especially in baseball, softball, and bowling. At one time, he enjoyed working as a softball umpire and was a member of the Senior Bowling League at the former Pin-O-Rama. Blessed with a natural singing voice, Tom enjoyed singing all his life and sang with many local bands in the Utica/Syracuse areas including performing with the Stan Colella Orchestra. He genuinely enjoyed the popular hits of that era. Tom and Lucy loved travelling to various destinations including the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Florida, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, NJ, Cape Cod, MA, Maine, Alabama, and California just to name a few. The two embarked on many Sunday drives to either Old Forge or Oneida Lake, "just to read the paper." They also enjoyed family dinners in Fulton. Tom attended the Madison Bouckville Antique Week annually as well. Tom relished the time he spent taking in the shows at casinos, including the Turning Stone Resort Casino, Vernon Downs Casino Hotel, and other venues in Schenectady, Long Island, and Connecticut. Tom was a proud member of the Utica Lodge 450 of the Loyal Order of Moose, the North Utica American Legion Post 229, and the former Sons of Italy Lodge. A communicant of St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church, Tom volunteered his time to man the religious items table during the church’s annual Sts. Cosmas and Damian Feast. Tom truly felt that he had a wonderful life, and in his own words, he once said, “I guess I did it all!” Tom was the youngest member of his family and the last one remaining. He is survived by his very beloved and dedicated son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Ruth Castano. He held close to his heart the memories of his siblings and their spouses who preceded him, Angela and Samuel Santino, Antoinette Talerico, Ernest A. “Ernie” and Anna Talerico and his companion Sally Sholes, Samuel Talerico, Peter “Andy” and Carmella Talerico, Joseph "Jersey" and Bertha Talerico, Dominick and Frances Talerico, and Frank and Jane Talerico. He is further survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who looked out for and always remembered their Uncle Tom. A special thank you is extended to Gary Talerico, Tom and Ann Shirley Demidow, and Janice Branck for their care and concern for Tom. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, from 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at St. Anthony and St. Agnes Church, 422 Tilden Ave. Thomas’ Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life will commence at 12:00 p.m. at the church with Military Honors conferred by the U.S. Army. Memorial contributions in Tom’s honor may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at www.stjude.org/donate or Disabled American Veterans (DAV) online at www.dav.org/donate; envelopes will also be available at the service. Interment will take place in Forest Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Thomas J. "Tom" Talerico

March 10, 1924 - December 11, 2024