Thomas Dominic Grande

THOMAS DOMINIC GRANDE, age 93, passed away Feb. 6, 2020. Beloved husband for 63 years of Phyllis (nee Andreano), loving father of Margaret Mary Bierman (Glenn), Michael (Christine), Marie Nemeth (William Mark) and Marcy (Jim Martin), cherished "Grandpa Tom" of Leah and Christopher Bierman, Lauren Grande, Natalie (Adam Butts), William Mark, Jr., Nicholas (Kathryn) and Troy Nemeth, Rose and Wesley Martin, great papa of Lorelei Butts and Elliot Nemeth, son of Marie (nee DiFranco) and Serafino Grande (both deceased) and stepson of Dominic DiFranco (deceased), loving brother of the following deceased: Joanne D'Eusanio (Tony) and Evelyn Canitia (Orlando), dear nephew of Yolanda Marotta, uncle and cousin of many. US Army Veteran, WWII.

Tom was born in Cleveland,OH on November 17, 1926. He was a World War II Army Veteran with the rank of Technical Sergeant. As luck would have it, he served 13 months in Hawaii during which time he supervised two Japanese prisoners and operated an officer's snack bar. Upon discharge, Tom attended Max S. Hayes Vocational School and later became a licensed journeyman plumber. He was a member of Plumber's Union Local 55. An avid gardener, Tom was renowned for his peppers, tomatoes, zucchini and his flowering gardens. He made his own wine, sausage and prosciutto. A founding member of the Independence Men's Bocce League, he played on the teams for nearly 40 years.

Interment Mapleshade Cemetery.

Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. Monday at St. Michael Church, Independence.

FRIENDS MAY CALL AT THE FORTUNA FUNERAL HOME, 7076 Brecksville Rd., Independence, OH 44131 SUNDAY 2 to 6 p.m.

Contributions in Tom's name suggested to the charity of your choice, or consider performing a random act of kindness in his memory.