Thomas DeCrescenzo

Tom DeCrescenzo, 88, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by those he loved, on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.

He was born in Watervliet, NY, September 30, 1932, a son of the late Arcangelo and Mary (Cavo) DeCrescenzo.  His family moved to Utica when he was a child and he attended St. Agnes Catholic School.  He was a 1950 graduate of T.R. Proctor High School.  In later years, Tom attended Utica College and MVCC, where he studied accounting.

Following high school, Tom joined the US Navy and served three years during the Korean War, where he was conferred the rank Petty Officer 2nd Class.  He was a Radarman aboard the USS Halsey Powell when it rescued ten survivors from the two American planes, which had crashed off Swatow, near the China Coast.

On August 31, 1957, Tom was joined in marriage to the former Grace Villelo, at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church in Utica. Tom and Grace shared a union filled with much love and devotion to each other and their family, and just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

A self-taught man, Tom worked during the early years of computer technology, both in repair and sales.  He was employed at UNIVAC for 20 years and then at Digital Equipment Corporation until his retirement. Never one to be idle, following retirement, Tom was a consultant at Rome Labs for several years.

A founding member of St. Anne’s Church in Whitesboro, Tom served as Trustee, Financial Advisor and Usher until its closing. Tom was a parishioner of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church in Utica.

As a young man, Tom helped support his family by picking beans and working with his uncles at Cavo Bros. where he learned masonry. There was nothing Tom could not do once he set his mind to it, home repairs to financial investments, his advice was invaluable and he would help anyone who asked and expected nothing in return.

The three most important things in Tom’s life were family, family and family. He was the true patriarch and loved being with them. He especially adored his grandchildren and supported them in every way; never missing a game or event. Tom loved being at home with his family, spending time in his tomato garden, Sunday dinners with Grace’s excellent home cooking and a glass of red wine on the back porch was all he needed to be happy.

A man of true humility, Tom would not boast in the praise outlined in this obituary, but no one deserves it more. Rest in Peace Papa.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Grace; daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Joseph Leonard; two sons, Richard DeCrescenzo and Michael DeCrescenzo; daughter and son-in-law, Gina and Jeff Batson; daughter-in-law, Jennifer DeCrescenzo; grandchildren, Shana and Bob Dugan, Amber DeCrescenzo and Ryan May, Marc Anthony DeCrescenzo, Michael DeCrescenzo and Alana Batson; four great grandchildren, Cillian, Arielle and Jeramiah Dugan and Arabella May; three sisters, Mary Ann DeCrescenzo, Agnes Decker and Dolores Vaccarelli; three sisters-in-law, Ann Trozzi, Marie Wojnas and Yolanda DeCrescenzo; and also many beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his infant daughter, Donna DeCrescenzo and son, Thomas S. DeCrescenzo Jr., who were always close to his heart; brother, Frank DeCrescenzo; brothers-in-laws, Art Trozzi, Frank Wojnas, Gary Decker, Joe Vaccarelli and Burt Glionna; and two nieces, Sandra Trozzi and Carolann Sebergandio.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his Mass of Christian Burial, with Military Honors, Monday, at 11 a.m., at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Church, with entombment in Calvary Mausoleum. There are no calling hours. 

The family would like to thank Dr. Bhisham Garg, Dr. Emile Wassel and the girls at MVHS Dialysis Center at St. Luke’s Home, for all the comfort and care shown to Tom during his illness.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in Tom’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude.org or your favorite charity.

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