Thomas "Tom" Aquinas Gionet

Thomas “Tom” Aquinas Gionet

A Loving Father, Son and Brother -

Thomas “Tom” Aquinas Gionet, age 57, of Mechanicsburg, went to be with the Lord at Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital in Camp Hill on Friday, January 10, 2020, after a seven year battle with lung cancer.  Tom was born on Friday, November 23, 1962 in El Paso, TX to Norman Joseph Gionet, Sr. and the late Mary Hilda (Griffin) Gionet.  In addition to his mother, Tom is preceded in death by his beloved canines: Sate, Underfoot and Kira.

Tom’s survivors include his son, Sage Caleb Gionet of Harrisburg; his father, Norman Joseph Gionet, Sr. and his wife, Patricia, of Fort Myers, FL; his three siblings: Norman Joseph Gionet, Jr. and his wife, Monica, of Allentown; Geralyn Gionet of East Haven, CT; Mary Haas and her husband, Mark, of Eatontown, NJ; and several nieces and nephews.

In 1968, at the age of six, Tom and his family moved from El Paso, TX to Eatontown, NJ. He enjoyed playing little league and high school baseball and held an Eatontown record for the most wins as a little league pitcher. Tom enlisted in the army in 1980 and was a small arms repairman who ensured rifles, pistols and machine guns worked correctly, were clean and ready to use. He spent time in Germany and Colorado before he left the service after 7 years with an honorable discharge as a Sergeant. He was proud to have served his country and had a high regard for all veterans. Where ever he went, he would shake hands with servicemen and veterans and thank them for their service. As a result of his years in the army, he enjoyed keeping his home neat, his clothes pressed and his shoes polished.  Upon leaving the service, Tom moved to Schenectady, NY where his sister Mary lived. In 1989, Tom married Mary LaBrie (yes- a third Mary in his life) and moved to Melrose, NY. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 1994 summa cum laude and honors with a B.S. in Computer Science.  Sage was born in 1997 and the family lived in Wyoming, Montana and Minnesota until they settled near Harrisburg Pennsylvania in 2000. Tom worked as a software developer, including a position developing code for the Affordable Care Act Marketplace. Although Mary and Tom divorced, he was an involved and loving father. Sage moved in with Tom when he turned 18 and they both enjoyed displaying their various collections around their apartment. Tom was a Civil War aficionado and a collector of hats, swords, ukuleles and American Indian art. He and his son enjoyed bowling, fishing trips to Belmar, NJ as well as weekend visits to Flea Markets in the Harrisburg area. Tom’s family and friends will remember him as a kind man and a loving father, son and brother.  He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

All are welcome to join Tom’s family at his gathering of family and friends on Friday, January 31, 2020, from 10:15 a.m. until time of service at 11:15 a.m. at Country & Town Baptist Church, 220 Gettysburg Pike, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055; with Pastor James McCoy, Reverend Phil Cockrell and Pastor Robert “Bob” Hylton officiating. Tom’s family invites everyone to join them for a time of food and fellowship at his church immediately following the service.  Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville following the reception, where military honors will be presented.  Cremation was private.

Contributions in celebration of Tom’s life can be made to any veteran’s organization of the donor’s choosing.

Tom’s family has entrusted his care to Buhrig Funeral Home and Crematory in Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-3421.  Read Tom’s full obituary, view his memorial video and portrait, and sign his official guest book at Buhrig.com.