Thomas John Smarrella
July 5, 1950 ~ April 15, 2023
Born in:
Steubenville, OH
Resided in:
Ashburn , VA
Thomas John Smarrella (Tom) died peacefully in his home on the morning of April 15th in the loving presence of his wife, Cindy, after an extended illness. He was 72.
Born in Steubenville, OH on July 5, 1950, to Rose (Tunno) and Eugene Smarrella, Tom grew up in Weirton, WV where he lived most of his life. A 1968 graduate of Follansbee High School, Tom went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Biology from Fairmont State University before completing his master’s degree in counseling & Guidance at Marshall University.
For more than 30 years, Tom served thousands of Ohio Valley youth as a guidance counselor at Brooke High School where he also operated as the head golf coach for 20 years. Tom’s service to his community extended beyond his primary profession. He was a faithful, practicing Catholic and a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Weirton where he participated in the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the local Moose Lodge in Weirton and, for many years, also served on the Board of the Hancock School Employees Federal Credit Union. More recently, he became a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, VA.
After leaving Brooke in 2005, he spent the last few years of his career at Madonna High School before retiring completely to enjoy the many blessings he had earned: a happy marriage, grandchildren, extended time on the golf course, Florida sunshine, and the company of so many good friends.
To be sure, Tom was the best kind of man – faithful, honest, easy-going, and good-natured to the last. He was a great Dad. He was gentle and fun. He liked good Italian food and an occasional cold beer. He loved Jesus, his family, skiing, the West Virginia Mountaineers, and all Pittsburgh professional sports. He attended the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff between the Steelers and Raiders… but famously looked away a moment too soon and missed Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception.
Tom is survived by his wife of 19 years, Cindy (D’Aurora) Smarrella of Ashburn, VA; his son, John Thomas (JT) Smarrella of Follansbee, WV; his brother, Eugene Smarrella, of Weirton; three stepchildren, Monica (Eric) Johnson, Brian (Nicole) Baker, and Andrea (Daniel) Palcic; ten grandchildren – Sophia, Nina, Lilah, James, Cole, Lucy, Maria, Isaac, Dominic, and Anthony; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; a very special caregiver, Joy Thompson; and many, many friends.
Tom’s oldest friends called him Simbo. His grandkids called him Grandpa Tom. And now, after navigating both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease for several years, Our Lord has blessedly called him home.
Visitation will be Sunday, April 30th, 2023 from 3 PM until 7 PM at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main Street Weirton, WV.
A prayer service will be led by Fr. Joseph D’Aurora at 6:30 PM Sunday in the funeral home.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May, 1, 2023 at 10 AM at Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, Weirton, WV
Fr. Tony Thurston will preside
Entombment will follow at Saint Paul’s Cemetery Weirton, WV.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association, Parkinson Research, Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church or to the Brooke High School on the memo line Thomas J. Smarrella Golf Scholarship Fund.
Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com
Services
Visitation: April 30, 2023 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home
3219 Main Street
Weirton, WV 26062
(304) 748-3219
http://grecohertnick.com
Mass of Christian Burial: May 1, 2023 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church
Main Street
Weirton, WV 26062
304 748 6710
Charities
The family greatly appreciates donations made to these charities in Thomas John Smarrella 's name.
Alzheimer's Association
Brooke High School
29 Bruin Drive
Wellsburg, WV
brooke.K12.wv.us
Parkinson 's Foundation for Research
Saint Paul Roman Catholic Church
140 Walnut Street
Weirton, WV
(304)748-4118
www.stpaulcommunity.net
Beautiful quiet soul, proud to be his brother in-law
Dom
Beautiful remembrance for a great man, may he rest now in the presence of the Lord.
Wonderful friend, and neighbor! I enjoyed his great sense of humor! May Tom’s soul Rest In Peace.
So sorry for your loss. I have many memories of Tom & his parents with my parents (Norman & Helen Ferrari) at the Friday fish fries at the K of C in Weirton. May he RIP ✝️🙏🏻
Tom was such a good and loyal friend. So many good memories as we spent so much time together in high school and summers during our college years
My sincerest sympathy to Cindy and his entire family. My prayers and thoughts are with you all.
Diane and I were so sorry to hear the news. Blessings to Cindy and all the children and grandchildren. You have our prayers and our sympathy.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Smarrella family during this difficult time. Tom was such a very kind man! May he rest in God’s loving arms!
Gary, Mary, and Matthew Lyons
Sara Felton
Prayers and sympathy to Cindy and family
It was a great joy and annoyance being his guidance office aid 2 years in a row. He helped my navigate the most trying times in my life and helped me graduate. And drove me nuts! I loved being his 3 door down Marland Heights neighbor.
Bootsie will forever miss you, Mr. Smarella!!!!! I was so lucky to have you (and both your wives) in my life hahaha! He would laugh at that. Laugh, people!! Sending all my love to the family! Love you guys!!
-Tiffany Postlethwaite aka Bootsie
We are so sad to hear this news. Our deepest sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you.
He was a great brother-in-law! I even learned to enjoy watching golf with him! Rest in peace my friend. May the angels come to meet you and lead you into paradise. Love you Tom. You have my prayers, dear Cindy!🥰
We will miss you my friend. Sending all of our love to Cindy and family.
Thoughts and prayers to the family of this wonderful man. He was a great example for the rest of us.
Sincere sympathy to Cindy and her family
Our sincere sympathy to Cindy, her family and the Smarrella family. We shared so many joyful times with Tom over the past 30 + years. He will be truly missed. Memory eternal, dear friend.
Kevin and Jody Ray.
My sincere condolences to Cindy and her family. Tom was a very kind and great friend …he will be truly missed by his family Love Jody
I would like to extend sympathies to the family. He really helped me when I was in high school and I will forever be grateful for that. Such a nice man! Prayers for his family and friends.
Cindy, my prayers are with you. I have wonderful memories of Tom at holiday dinners. He and Rick are with Jesus having a good time, I’m sure. I pray the peace that passes all understanding will envelope you. In the coming months, allow yourself to grieve and reflect on the beautiful life you two made. ♥️
My deepest sympathies to Tom’s family. He was a great guy and I will miss seeing him.
So sad to hear this! Tom was a great guidance counselor at BHS and a friend to all. Cindy is a long time and card club friend. Sending love to their family ❤️
Tom the organizer. Great friend and golfer and guidance counselor. Sorry jt and Cindy . Save me a spot with your group up there.
So sorry for your loss, Cindy. Tom was always such a special guy and friends to everyone ! God bless him, May his memory be eternal.
My deepest sympathies to Cindy , JT , Eugene and the entire Smarrella family ! Tom was a wonderful friend, man and a kind soul . He will be missed but surely never forgotten . May he rest in eternal peace .
Gina DiPietrantonio-Conforti
Rest in peace, Tom. Live with memories, Cindy.
Tom was a good person. My prayers and condolences to his family.
Cindy, JT and family,
Deepest sympathies on Tom’s passing. So many good memories of him through the years from high school to working and at the golf courses. He was surely one of the “good ones!” RIP
My deepest sympathies Cindy. I’m so sorry to hear of Tom’s passing. May God find you Peace and Comfort.
Dear Cindy and all the family:
Wow! I always thought of Tom as one of coolest guys I know. Your obit was beautifully written and fun to hear of some things I didn’t know even after his integration into the Ciccolella family and being a colleague through my years at Brooke High. Peace and comfort in only happy s”memories. There was much fun and laughter along way for all of us . God blesses you all for love and care you gave him.
Sincerely
Mary Ciccolella Schwertfeger and Jay
Our deepest sympathy and hugs to you, Cindy, and your family. Tom was such a wonderful and kind person. He was a favorite friend and classmate at Millsop, Edgewood and FHS. Always had that cute grin on his face. He truly was a good guy. May God give you comfort and strength through this difficult time. Love & hugs from Emily (Alstadt) Wells & Jim Wells
Great friend at Millsop, Edgewood, and FHS. Always fun to be around. May your memory be eternal, Simba.
Paul Contoveros
My deepest condolences to Cindy and Family. Tom was kind, genuine and all around great man. The world needs more people like him!!! Our times in the Florida sunshine will always be cherished. Tom RIP….and eat all the JUJUBES you want!!!!
Dear Cindy,
My heartfelt condolences for Tom’s passing. Please know I am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. May Tom’s soul Rest in Peace.
Sincerely, Marlene Runkel
Cindy and family: I am so sorry for your loss. I will keep you in my prayers. May Tom rest in peace.
Dear Cindy, and Family and Friends of Tom,
Sending heartfelt sympathy in the passing of a kind, wonderful person. Tom was one of the first people I met at Brooke High School in 1979. He took the extra time needed to show me the ropes. We laughed much, talked much, and survived a long time at Brooke High School. I have so much respect for this awesome person and will forever be grateful for his kindness and wisdom. To each of you, may you find peace and comfort in the many happy memories you cherish and hold dear in your heart’s. May Tom rest in eternal peace. Lino and Grace Calvarese
Dear Aunt Cindy and Family,
Tom was a great person who always looked out for his family and friends. I was fortunate that he was my high school counselor; he helped guide me to attend college and assisted me in obtaining a scholarship to WVU. I am sure there are hundreds of other students that could say the same. Thank you Tom and may you rest in peace! May God grant Aunt Cindy and his Family peace at this time. Love, Brad, Katie & Alina
Cindy and family,
There are no words to express my sympathies but joy in knowing that we will meet Tom again. Praying that your memories of those fun times, laughter, and Tom’s overwhelming appreciation of how he loved you and his family guide you through each day. Another journey God has given you – know He is by your side – even when your sadness overwhelms you. Love, hugs and prayers my friend!
Diane
We were very fortunate to know Tom and to have his friendship. So many happy memories! Traveling and working together was a joy. We will miss Tom. Our deepest sympathy and prayers are with Cindy and family.
Cindy and Family,
Thinking of Tom with fond memories of our years at FHS. We were in the same homeroom for all four years, and he was truly a kind and friendly classmate. We were so sorry to hear of his passing. Our prayers and sincere sympathy to you all.
Jo and Woody
So very sorry for your loss. Prayers and thoughts are with you Cindy and family.