Thomas J Marsella

Thomas J. Marsella, 88, a longtime resident of Seneca Falls, NY died Monday night, September 7th peacefully in his sleep, at The Seneca Lake Terrace in Geneva, NY. Family and friends may call at the Doran Funeral Home, 4 E. Bayard St., Seneca Falls, NY on Monday (September 21, 2015) from 4 to 7 PM. Tom's Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday (September 22) at St. Patrick's Church, Seneca Falls, NY with Reverend James Fennessy, Pastor, as Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Columbkille Cemetery, Seneca Falls, NY. If desired, contributions may be made to St. Patrick's Church, 25 Center St., Waterloo, NY 13165 or to the charity of one's choice. The Seneca Falls Honor Guard will conduct military honors for Tom on Monday evening (September 21) at 7 PM His loved ones will remember him as a tough guy with a big heart and think fondly of his gravelly voice, tenacious character, and love of building, be it picnic table, house, or family. They will miss him dearly. He was the son of the late Bertha Santoro and Ferdinando Marsella and was born May 3, 1927 in Seneca Falls, NY. He was a member of St. Patrick's Church serving on the Parish Council and volunteered his time with Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, he was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Elks, and worked with others to create the Sampson Navy Memorial Museum. He was a proud and life member of Sampson Salts World War II Navy Vets. A skilled worker since his younger years, Tom started his professional journey as a tailor then joined the Navy serving on the USS Tarawa during WWII. Upon discharge from the service, with military honors, he proudly joined the Carpenter's Union and climbed the ladder from soaping nails to supervising the building of schools and office buildings all over central New York. As superintendent, his employers included Brown and Hoyt, John Luther and Sons, and finally Massa Construction. After his retirement in 1989, Tom could be found on the golf course enjoying a game he truly loved. Tom and Anne also spent many winters in Florida with several special friends. Many Town residents will also remember him as the land developer who sold them parcels making the neighborhood of Van Rensselaer St. These properties could be seen from his backyard, where he loved to barbeque and host clambakes for his family. Lovingly called Dad, Gramp, or Poppy, he is survived by wife Anne Chuley Marsella of Seneca Falls whom he married on July 2, 1949. Children: Thomas (Mitchell Horowitz) Marsella of San Francisco CA, Patricia (Phillip) Herrick of Geneva NY, Kathleen Marsella of Union Springs NY, and Ronald (Annie) Marsella of Houston TX. Grandchildren: Alison (Jessamy) Childers Uticone, Brian and Kevin Herrick, Leah (Robert) Brashear, and Thomas Marsella. Great Grandchildren: James and Bransen Uticone, as well as Cecilia and Ryder Brashear, and several nieces, nephews & cousins. He was predeceased, in addition to his parents, by 3 sisters, Phyllis Crescibene, Viola Marino, and Teresa Carello. Please leave a condolence or light a candle in memory of Tom at doranfuneralhome.com

Visitation Details

Monday, September 21st, 2015 4:00pm - 7:00pm, Doran Funeral Home

Service Information

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2015 10:00am, St. Patrick's Church

Interment Details

St. Columbkille Cemetery