Thomas “Tom” John Smarrella

THOMAS “TOM” JOHN SMARRELLA, 72, died peacefully in his home on the morning of April 15, 2023 in the loving presence of his wife, Cindy, after an extended illness. Born in Steubenville, OH on July 5, 1950, to Rose (Tunno) and Eugene Smarrella, Tom grew up in Weirton, WV where he lived most of his life. A 1968 graduate of Follansbee High School, Tom went on to earn an undergraduate degree in Biology from Fairmont State University before completing his master’s degree in counseling & Guidance at Marshall University. For more than 30 years, Tom served thousands of Ohio Valley youth as a guidance counselor at Brooke High School where he also operated as the head golf coach for 20 years. Tom’s service to his community extended beyond his primary profession. He was a faithful, practicing Catholic and a lifelong member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Weirton where he participated in the Knights of Columbus. He was a member of the local Moose Lodge in Weirton and, for many years, also served on the Board of the Hancock School Employees Federal Credit Union. More recently, he became a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Ashburn, VA. After leaving Brooke in 2005, he spent the last few years of his career at Madonna High School before retiring completely to enjoy the many blessings he had earned: a happy marriage, grandchildren, extended time on the golf course, Florida sunshine, and the company of so many good friends. To be sure, Tom was the best kind of man – faithful, honest, easy-going, and good-natured to the last. He was a great Dad. He was gentle and fun. He liked good Italian food and an occasional cold beer. He loved Jesus, his family, skiing, the West Virginia Mountaineers, and all Pittsburgh professional sports. He attended the 1972 AFC Divisional Playoff between the Steelers and Raiders… but famously looked away a moment too soon and missed Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception. Tom is survived by his wife of 19 years, Cindy (D’Aurora) Smarrella of Ashburn, VA; his son, John Thomas (JT) Smarrella of Follansbee, WV; his brother, Eugene Smarrella, of Weirton; three stepchildren, Monica (Eric) Johnson, Brian (Nicole) Baker, and Andrea (Daniel) Palcic; ten grandchildren – Sophia, Nina, Lilah, James, Cole, Lucy, Maria, Isaac, Dominic, and Anthony; numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins; a very special caregiver, Joy Thompson; and many, many friends. Tom’s oldest friends called him Simbo. His grandkids called him Grandpa Tom. And now, after navigating both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease for several years, Our Lord has blessedly called him home. Visitation will be Sunday, April 30, 2023, from 3-7 p.m., at the Greco Hertnick Funeral Home, Weirton. A prayer service will be led by Fr. Joseph D’Aurora at 6:30 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May, 1, 2023 at 10 a.m., at Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church, Weirton, with Fr. Tony Thurston presiding. Entombment will follow at Saint Paul’s Cemetery Weirton, WV. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer Association, Parkinson Research, Saint Paul’s Roman Catholic Church or to the Brooke High School on the memo line Thomas J. Smarrella Golf Scholarship Fund. Share tributes at www.grecohertnick.com.