Thomas Anthony Cracolici, 99, a resident of the Laurel Lake Retirement Center, died peacefully on Thursday, April 14, 2022 of natural causes.

Tom was born December 24, 1922 in New York City, NY, the first child to Anthony and Rose (Amato) Cracolici.  He grew up in New York and later moved to Brooklyn, NY where he graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School in 1941.

Tom proudly served during World War II as a Staff Sergeant for the 346 ^th Supply Company during the European Campaign and received an honorable discharge in 1945.

He met the love of his life Phyllis and they married in 1950.  Four years later, the happy couple moved to Oceanside, NY where he spent the next 54 years raising a family and enjoying life on Long Island before moving to Hudson, Ohio to be closer to Family in 2009.

Tom began his career working for Hearns Department Stores and was introduced to the shoe business working his way up the ladder to become Senior Shoe Buyer for F&M Shoe Corporation and later FABCO Shoes Inc.  His office was in NYC and for 27 years he would methodically make the commute on the Long Island Railroad each and every workday.  He retired at the age of 68 in 1991.

Tom had a love for many types of music with a particular affinity for "Ole Blue Eyes" Frank Sinatra, big band orchestras and soulful sax solos.  He was methodical in his manner, sharp in how he dressed, always thoughtful of his family and often would be a good listener.  But he always showed a quick wit and had a wonderful sense of humor.  He loved food and would always seek out the best deli or bakery in his quest to find great tasting treats for him and his family!!  He loved taking long walks with Phyllis on the boardwalk in Long Beach, NY and in later years, traveling in the U.S. and abroad, discovering new places to explore along the way.

Tom was preceded in death by his father, Anthony, mother Rose (nee Amato) and dear wife Phyllis (nee Contessa) who passed away in 2015.  He is survived by his sister Rose Marie, oldest son Anthony and his wife Tammy, along with grandsons Tom, Joseph, and Nathan; and his youngest son John and his wife Kathy, along with their sons Christopher (CJ) and Johnny.

Family will receive friends on Friday, June 17, 2022 from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. in the church.

A Memorial Mass will be held at Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church, 6034 South Locust Street, Peninsula, Ohio 44264, with Fr. John D. Terzano, officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 70 W. Streetsboro St., Hudson, Ohio 44224.

Caring and Professional Arrangements for the Cracolici Family are entrusted to the care of the Crown Hill Funeral Home (formerly the Hine Funeral Home).

Condolences may be left on Tom's memorial page at www.crownhillfh.com .