Thomas R. Melvin

Thomas R. Melvin of Clarks Summit, died unexpectedly, on Friday morning, July 11, 2014 at Commonwealth Hospice, Scranton. He was preceeded in death by his beloved wife, Anne Tolan Melvin who passed on April 19, 1990.

Born in the "Marvine" on February 2, 1932, a date which Tom would jokingly refer to as the "World's first Groundhog Day". Tom was the son of the late Joseph J., Sr. and Margaret Cavanaugh Melvin and was the second oldest of four brothers.

When Tom was 8 years of age, his dad died, leaving a mother with 4 young boys. His mother enrolled Tom and his 2 younger brothers in Stephen Girard College in Philadelphia. Regrettably, his older brother did not meet the age requirement for all 4 brothers to attend together. Tom graduated from Stephen Girard College in January of 1949. Coincidently, the first school all 4 boys had attended in Scranton was No. 26 Stephen Girard, on Hollister Avenue. Tom felt that being given the opportunity to attend Stephen Girard College in Philadelphia was "the best thing that ever happened to me, along with the birth of our five children".


Tom's first job was carrying milk from a horse drawn carriage to the porches of customers. He had many jobs following this from a huckster, selling produce door to door, a bundle boy at a snow suit factory, a mailman, a bookkeeper and a salesman at Kelleher Pontiac. Tom then became an owner-partner of Catalina Motors, Boulevard Avenue. His final employment was DeFazio Express, Moosic where he initially began as an Office Manager, then became Secretary Treasurer, followed by Executive Vice-President and ultimately President. During his employment at DeFazio Express, Tom had the honor of receiving a personal invitation from President Ronald Regan and met with him at the White House, along with a small group of other trucking executives to discuss various issues regarding the trucking industry.


Tom was fortunate enough to retire early and enjoyed his winters in Hawaii Kai, Oahu. He looked forward to each winter and having his family visit him for their annual winter vacation. Tom was an avid golfer, who enjoyed playing golf with his family and golfed at some of the most beautiful courses throughout the Hawaiian Islands and many courses in other states, most of them in Pennsylvania. He also enjoyed playing basketball at Weston Field and at one time, was a member of the Senior Olympics Basketball Team, the Pennsylvania Coal Crackers.

A member of Our Lady of the Snows Church, Tom is survived by four children and their spouses, his son,Thomas Timothy and wife, Pam, Virginia; his daughter, Diane Cherundolo and husband, David, Old Forge; his daughter, Sharon Deininger and husband, Jerry, Waverly; his daughter, Marjorie Adcroft and husband, Joe, Clarks Summit and four grandchildren, Mark T. Melvin, Montana; Kaitlin Cherundolo-Valliere and husband, Paul, Royersford; Anne Cherundolo and Sarah Cherundolo, Old Forge. He is also survived by his brothers, Donald, Scranton; Robert and his wife, Mary Ann; Paoli; his sister-in-law, Mary Meyl and husband, Jim, Clarks Summit; Brother-in-law, Thomas P. Tolan and wife, Mary Anne, Scranton; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.


He was also preceded in death by his brother, Joseph; his oldest son, Mark Patrick and by 3 grandchildren, Abigail Adcroft, Baby Cherundolo and Phillip Cherundolo.


At Tom's request, private funeral arrangements were conducted at the convenience of the family, by Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home, Clarks Summit. Mass of Christian Burial was held at Our Lady of Snows. The Mass was concelebrated by Father Jeff Tudgay, Monsignor James McGarry and Father John Lapera . Pallbearers were Jerry Melvin, Danny Melvin, Bobby Melvin, Thomas Tolan, Timothy Tolan, Teddy Tolan, Vincent Arcieri, Sam Arcieri and honorary pallbearer, Terry Melvin. Entombment, Cathedral Cemetery.


Following the services, a family luncheon was held at the Tripp House, the home where Tom and Anne lived after being married. Three of their five children were born while living there. Tom's mother had also lived at the Tripp House.


Tom's favorite quote is from Stephen Girard "My deeds must be my life. When I am dead, my actions will speak for me."


Anyone wishing to make donations in Tom's memory are asked to do so to their favorite charity. Acknowledgment of the donation should be mailed to Deininger, P.O. Box 511, Waverly, PA 18471.