Thomas Joseph DeCarlo, 97, of Ironwood, MI, passed away on May 12, 2023, with his son Tom by his side.
Thomas was born March 24, 1926, to Nicholas and Francis DeCarlo in Hurley, WI.
He attended and graduated from J.E. Murphy High School in 1947.
A proud Naval Veteran (July 19, 1944 - June 14, 1946, Tom would tell anyone who would listen about a proud moment in his life, watching from his ship U.S.S. Thesis Bay C.V.E. 90, the signing of the Japanese surrendering August 15, 1945, just a football field's distance away.
He returned to Hurley to graduate from high school as he promised his parents.
Then met and married the love of his life Louise Champagne July 16, 1947.
He built and worked at Tom's Sheet Metal until 1991 when Jerry DeCarlo took over. Although frequently over the years, he could still be found helping fix old Heating units even up to six months before his passing.
Tom was a very active member Of the American Legion and all of the other veterans' organizations locally, in the UP, as well as state level and nationally. He was a proud veteran and one of the few left from the greatest generation.
Tom was very proud of his Parachuting jumps even into his ninety-six years.
As well as his twenty-eight polar plunges for hospice, including three times in one year. He even went against the doctor's order after knee surgery to do the scaredy cat so that he could say he did it.
A valued member of Marty's Goldenaires for many years. From carrying the banner to dancing the polka to the U.S. Navy song(Anchor's Away) and Roll out the Barrel with some lucky lady from the crowd!
He was a valued member of The Goldenaires Corps and was instrumental in many of their successful endeavors for many years. He was also instrumental in the Ironwood Blue Knights and American Legion Corps in the 50s through the 80s will be greatly missed by all, as you may remember him walking around "Dago Days" in Hurley with his oversized hat declaring his proud Italian heritage.
Tom earned many awards over the years, including the Veteran of the Year in 2016 and The Good Guy Award in 2021.
If you were lucky enough to try his Dago Red or his potent Grappa, you could count yourself as his friend.
Pre-deceased by: Parents Nicholas and Francis (Casanova)
First wife: Louise (Champagne) DeCarlo, Second Wife Marilyn, Son: Gerald "Jerry" DeCarlo,
Siblings: Anne (Knute) Hammer, Joseph (Charlotte) DeCarlo, Theresa (Floyd) Peterson
Daughter-in-law Carol (Heinske) DeCarlo
Grandson: Rick DeCarlo
Survived by:
Sons:Thomas A. DeCarlo of Ironwood, John” Jack”(Kyong Hui) (Newport News, VA) , Daughter-in-law Lori (Buccanero)DeCarlo of Ironwood
Grandkids: Candee Wiemeri (Aaron Jashinsky), Louise and Gregory Umfleet (Newport News, VA), Gina DeCarlo (Jay Edyvean), Frances DeCarlo (Tim Williams) Gettysburg, PA, Amanda DeCarlo (Andrew Smithson) of Ironwood Jerika and Austin Macholl
Great grandkids: Janel and (L.J.) Pann, Jacquelyn, Devin, Thomas, Katee, Jakob, Alexandria, Hailey, Damian, Whittaker, and Ezzie.
Great-Great-grandkids Kinsley and Jameson and many Nieces and Nephews and Marilyn's children and grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, May 19, 2023, at Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church at 11 A.M. with a visitation to take place prior from 9 A.M. to 11 A.M. with the burial to take place May 25, 2023, at the Riverside, Cemetery in Ironwood, MI at 10 A.M.