Obituary of Thomas Stranieri

  Thomas V. Stranieri, 81, passed away peacefully October 12, 2010. He was born in Queen, PA, on September 24, 1929, to Rocco Stranieri & Elizabeth Saraceno Stranieri.  Tom went to Italy with his parents when he was 2 & returned alone to the US at 17.  He did not speak English on arrival & was directed to enter through Ellis Island though he had a US passport.  He taught himself English by reading the newspaper daily.  He met his wife of 50 years, Florence M. Lepley, while working at Jaite Paper Mill in Peninsula.  Tom spent the rest of his career at Ford Motor Company, Brook Park, OH, in the pattern shop & retired in 1980.  Providing for his family, especially his two children for whom he waited so long, was very important to him.  He instilled his dedication, commitment & strong work ethic.  Tom was grounded in the Catholic faith & loved visiting with family & friends.  He enjoyed his last 3½ years at the Gardens of Western Reserve with the assistance of dedicated staff members.  The severe stroke in 1996 left Tom paralyzed on his right side & only able to say “I don’t know,” but he adapted well & was able to communicate his needs.    Preceded in death by his parents & wife, he is survived by daughter & son-in-law Ann M. & Bruce A. Rowland of West Akron; son, Joseph T. of Corona, CA; sisters, Theresa Scicchitano & Catherine Palaia of NJ; uncle, John Saraceno of Hudson; sister-in-law, Lucy Lepley, & brother-in-law, Donald Vogan, of PA.  He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives & friends Friends may call at the Redmon Funeral Home on Friday from 4 to 7 pm.  Mass of Christian Burial will be  at 11 am Saturday at St Mary Catholic Church in Hudson.  Interment at St. Mary’s Cemetery.  If friends wish, memorials may be made to Stow-Munroe Falls Lions Club.  P. O. Box 1681, Stow, OH 44224.  Mr. Stranieri's video tribute may be seen here.