Thomas Olszewski
June 7, 1953 ~ March 21, 2008
Thomas Olszewski, 54, of Weirton, passed away, Friday, March 21, 2008 at Shadyside Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. He was born June 7, 1953 in Weirton WV, the son of Caroline Felo Olszewski of Weirton, and the late Thomas Olszewski. His sister Linda Olszewski also preceded him in July of 2006.
Thomas retired from the Arcelor-Mittal Steel Company, where he worked in the Tin Mill Department with 34 years of service as a gas man on the batch anneal lines. Tom loved to ride his motorcycle. He built a dune buggy, and spent a lot of time riding the dune buggy with his granddaughter, Mia. He was a member of the Weirton Steel 25 year club, Big Brothers, the Holy Name Society, the Knights of Columbus #3734, Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church and the Paris Sportsman's Club. He enjoyed the outdoors and especially fishing with his granddaughter.
In addition to his mother, Tom is survived by his wife Julie Gregson Olszewski of Weirton, whom he married on May 26, 1984; his son Shawn Robert Olszewski and his wife Adrianne of Alberta Canada; his daughter Dawn Rae James and her husband Roy of Weirton; his granddaughter Mia Kay James; his brother Robert Olszewski and his wife Karen of Follansbee, WV; his brother in law Thomas Gregson of Weirton; his sister in law Becky Gregson of Weirton; his Godson Jonathon Bocek of Virginia Beach, VA; and his nieces and nephews Lance, and Megan Olszewski, and Zachary and Carly Gregson.
Visitation will be Monday from 6-8PM and Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8PM at the Greco-Hertnick Funeral Home, 3219 Main St, Weirton, WV, where a Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 6PM, and a vigil service at 7:30PM, Tuesday evening in the funeral home. Funeral Liturgy with Mass will be Wednesday, 10AM at Sacred Heart of Mary Church, Weirton. Entombment will be at St Paul Cemetery, Weirton, WV.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society, Hancock County Unit, PO Box 2166, Weirton, WV 26062
Share your tributes with his family at www.grecohertnick.com
Bobby & Family, Please accept my sympathies on the loss of your brother. I’m from the old neighborhood on Mahan Rd. and went to school with you and Tommy. Sincerely, Jimmy
Dear Olszewski Family: It’s been said that: “Only the GOOD die young!” Tom was a GOOD man to so many people and it makes his loss so tremendous as we continue to need GOOD people like him in our lives. May each of us honor him in the coming days by doing something GOOD for others in his memory! Please know of my heartfelt sympathy and sincerest of prayers as you grieve his loss and the void in your lives. Respectfully, Stas’ Tuchalski Washington, DC
My condolences to the Olszewski family. I was a classmate of Toms from Weirton Heights Elementry through high school. You are in my prayers.
Bob and family, so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. will keep you in my prayers. an old friend from high school, Cindi
Julie, There are no words that can express to you my sorrow at your loss! There was only one Tom and he was a wonderful friend of Ron and mine. I am here for you Julie…we are both too young to being going through these times. Our only saving grace is that we know that Ron and Tom are back together as a team waiting for us to someday join them. God bless and keep you and your family and give you the strength to get through the very difficult times ahead. My deepest sympathies to all of you! Margie Zellars
Dear Julie, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. God bless you and your family at this time and always. You are in my prayers. Sis Lashhorn Susan Lashhorn Stewart and family
To all those grieving my father’s passing: Thank you for being in my dad’s life in whatever manner that may have been. I want to share with you some of the hope that God has given to me to get through this. God has recently showed me that you cannot experience an upsetting loss if whatever has gone was not first a blessing. Although we’ll all feel grief we should remember to thank God for the blessing He has given to us through my dad. It also brings me comfort to know how honored my father, a devoted Catholic, must feel to have passed on Good Friday, the most important holiday in the Christian faith. Without the crucifixion there would have never been the resurrection and the path to God that Jesus gave us through his sacrafice would have never been made. Today my family has decided to celebrate my father’s first Easter with Jesus rather than mourn our loss. Grief and mourning will be experienced during this time but don’t forget to remember what God has blessed us all with. Thank you for being a blessing in my father’s life.
Dearest Julie and the Olszewski Family, my deepest sympathy on the loss of Tommy (as we knew him growing up on Thurman Street). It was heartbreaking to lose Linda, but now they are together with all others who have gone before them. Today on Easter Sunday we will celebrate Tommy’s life as you asked Dawn and remember all the lives he touched through the grace of God.
Julie, Bobby, and Family, I am saddened to hear of the news of Tommy’s passing. I was fortunate to be able to visit him in his last days in the hospital. Despite his state, when my wife and I were preparing to leave he said “be careful going back to Virginia.” That was typical of the love that I experienced being friends with him for so long. I could write a book of all of the good times that I had with Tommy. Up to the end I remained in prayer hoping for a miracle. I guess that my miracle was that I was blessed to be good friends with Tommy for 30 years. I was able to make acquaintances with a lot of other good people simply because we had a mutual friend in “The Big O.” As much as it hurts to lose a great friend like Tommy, I rejoice that Tom was a faithful servant of the Lord and that he dwells with him today.
Tom, You are a very great guy. My brother Alex and I, became friends with you and Dave Zaninelli when we lived with my Aunt Mary (Platt) Gogul on Thurman until my Dad finished our house on Blanar Avenue. We were about 4 years old. We went throught grade school, Jr. High, and High School together. I remember learning to play golf with you my brother,Dave and Bill Bocek. I remember how we started lifting weights and how dedicated you were to it. And also who could forget when we went to Florida during Spring Break with my brother and Bill Bocek. Tom, you’ll be missed. Love, Mike and Dee (Olenick) Sabol
My thoughts and prayers are with the family upon reading about Tom’s call Home. I have fond memories of childhood games and fun filled summer evenings playing with Tom and the other Thurmont neighborhood children. My grandmother was Mary (Platt) Gogul, and I was embraced by the other children around her as just one of the gang when we visited. Tom was a good friend of the family. May his memory sustain you upon his passing. God’s Easter Blessings, Walt (Wally) Tuchalski
We are so sorry for your loss. Like Dawn said in her notice to us…what an honor to be called on the same day as the Lord. We are praying for your family to suffer progressively for your loss. You are all in our prayers, and are rejoycing in your family’s new guardian angel. With love, and many prayers, Mike, Nikki, Matthew, and Lizzie Jagela.
Dear Olszewski family, My heart hurts knowing of your loss. I worked with Linda at Eckerd and I got to know Tom through Linda. She loved him so much. With the suffering that Tom experienced these last months, I am not surprised he passed on Good Friday. You all have been so blessed to have Tom in your lives. What wonderful memories you must have to share about him. I am certain that when Tom meets our Lord He will say “Well done, good and faithful servant!” May you experience the love and comfort of Jesus from all of your family and friends. You are in my prayers. God Bless You, Cindy Oliver
Dawn, Though we never met your father knowing you means he must have been an amazing man. What a comfort to know that although you grieve you are comforted in knowing he is resting comfortably in his Heavenly Father’s arms. May you and your family continue to experience God’s peace during this time.Blessings,Leslie and Zack (from karate)
Carol, Julie, Bobby and Family, I’m so very sorry to hear of Tommy’s passing. My sisters and I remember playing games in the streets years ago with you Bobby, Linda & Tommy. We’ve grown up and not seen each other in a long time, but I was hoping to see all of you soon. My heart and my prayers are with you at this time, and be comforted that Tommy is with Linda and Dad Tom. May God bless you.
Dawn and Shawn, Please accept my condolences at this trying time. May God be with you and your families. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Olszewski Family, Our thoughts and prayers to everyone. I have alot of memories of knowing Tom through my brothers, Michael & Alex Sabol and Bill & Terri Bocek, Terri is my sister. God Bless the whole family
Dear Olszewski Family, I would like to extend my heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Tommy. May Our Lord be with all of you during this difficult time.
I was sadend to hear tom had passed away. I knew him from work. When we met at work he always was uplifing and positive. It was indeed a plesure knowing him larry
Our condolences go out to the family of Tommy O. Always was a good friend and we always had fun at the K of C during Bocce and Steelers Sundays. Will always be missed.
Dear Olszewski family, We are sorry to hear of Toms passing. You all were good neighbors to us when we lived on Pennsylvania Ave. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dear Julie, Carol, Bobby and family, my prayers are with you as you grieve and rejoice in the passing of Tommy. I remember fondly the times growing up on Thurman Street with Tommy, Linda and Bobby, and my heart goes out to all of you during this hard time.
Shawn and Dawn I try to keep up with whats going on in Weirton and I came upon this.. I am so sorry for your loss.