Mass of Christian burial for Thomas J. Fossa will be held on Wednesday, July 26, 2017 at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Chouteau North Cemetery. Father Sylvanus Amaobi will officiate.
Friends and family may visit at MMS-Payne Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 from 1-7 p.m, with a Rosary service beginning at 7:00.
Tom passed away in Tulsa on Sunday, July 23, 2017 at the age of 78.
Thomas John Fossa was born February 23, 1939 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Louis and Mary Passerini Fossa.
He received his elementary education in Union City, New Jersey at Gilmore Grammar School, and Holy Rosary Academy. He then attended Emerson High School, graduating in 1957. Upon graduating, Tom took a job working for a printing company in Union City. He worked there until joining the United States Army on September 1, 1958. Eventually Tom was transferred from Ft. Dix, New Jersey to Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. There he began working in the Army Map Services in Washington DC. It was while he was stationed in Virginia that he met the love of his life, Margie Duniphin. They were married September 24, 1960, in Ft. Belvoir, Virginia. The newlywed couple made their home in North Bergen, New Jersey. There Tom continued in printing school in New York City. After graduating with honors, Tom began working for Spencer Graphic Printing. He retired in 1998, after 38 years in the printing industry.
Upon retirement, Tom and Margie moved to Claremore, Oklahoma. There they became active members of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, where Tom was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was also a volunteer at the Claremore Regional Hospital auxiliary.
Tom also enjoyed bowling, following ice skating, and visiting with the many friends that he has made while at DaVita Dialysis over the past 8 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Louis and Mary Fossa; brother, Louis Fossa and nephew, Michael Fossa.
Survivors include his wife Margie of the home; adopted son, Roy Lee Fossa; sister, Joanne Slawenski of Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey, and nephew Johnny Slawenski and wife Samantha, and their two children Jayla and Jayce, of Lodi, New Jersey;
View and sign Tom's online tribute at
www.mmsfuneralhomes.com