Thomas DiCola, Jr. 65

Boardman - Thomas  DiCola Jr., 65, of Boardman, died Monday afternoon November 2, 2020 at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Boardman. He was born February 13, 1955 in Warren, Ohio, a son of Thomas and Mary nee Newsome DiCola. He has resided in Boardman since 1982.

Tom was a 1973 graduate of Cardinal High School in Middlefield, Ohio and earned his Bachelor's degree from The Ohio State University. Tom began his career in retail at Strouss Department Store in Downtown Youngstown until he was no longer able to work. He was a member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church in Boardman. 

Tom had a passion for tropical fish and had belonged to the Youngstown Area Tropical Fish Society as well as being a volunteer for Boardman Center Middle School sixth grade science classes teaching them about fish and the natural ecosystem . They called themselves The Spartan Little Swimmers and he often brought the children on field trips to his home to see his aquariums. Through the tropical fish society he traveled the country and made many wonderful friends, including his best friend, Donnie G. 

Besides his mother of Strongsville, he leaves his former wife, Linda R. Beraduce of Boardman; two daughters, whom he loved dearly, Katie Lynn at home, who helped care for him through his illness and took him to see every Star Wars film produced and  Lauren Marie of Chicago who came home every month to visit; five sisters, Mary Kay (Alan) Milewski, Ursuline Sister Nancy DiCola, Rebecca (David) Najewicz, Bonnie, who donated a kidney to Tom and Alice DiCola; two brothers, Robert (Deborah) DiCola and David (Linda) DiCola; several nieces and nephews and two great-nieces. He also leaves his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Denise and Pat Butler and his mother-in-law, Mary Lou Beraduce all of whom were always there with help and support. 

He was preceded in death by his father and his father-in-law, Dominic Beraduce.

Tom lived with Diabetes for fifty-five years, since childhood, but always with a smile on his face.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday November 6, 2020 at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 7345 Westview Drive in Boardman with Father Ryan Furlong officiating. Friends may call from 9:30-10:30 prior to the mass at the Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market Street in Boardman where a prayer service will be held at 10:30.

The family would like to thank Dr. Soloman, Dr. Zeno and his pharmacist, Joe Thomas as well as the doctors and nurses at Fresenius Dialysis Center in North Lima, all of whom took care of him throughout his illness.

In lieu of flowers, Tom's family requests material contributions take the form of donations to the American Diabetes Association.

Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.