Jaworowicz, Thomas J.

Thomas John Jaworowicz  

May 8, 1937 – October 28, 2024 

Dad died Monday at Highland Hospital after a short illness. He was 87 years old. Many thanks to the  fine doctors, nurses, and other medical professions at the ICU who cared for Dad. 

Preceded in death by 

• Parents, Stephen & Stella (Bezel) Jaworowicz 

• Brother, John Richard Jaworowicz 

• Brother-in-law, John (Jack) Johnston 

• Grandparents, and many aunts, uncles, & cousins. 

Survived by 

• Ro (Jares) Jaworowicz, the love of his life, & wife of 65 years 

• Daughter: Melissa Jaworowicz 

• Sons: Richard, Christopher, & Thomas Jaworowicz 

• Daughters-in-law: Debra (Lee) Jaworowicz & Colleen (Reilly) Jaworowicz  • Sister: Carol (Jaworowicz) Johnston 

• Niece: Danielle (Johnston) Holmes 

• Nephews: John, Matthew, & Stephen Johnston  

• Grandchildren: Sarah Jaworowicz, Katherine (Jaworowicz) Upadhye, Tommy Jaworowicz,  Josh Jaworowicz, Nadia Jaworowicz, Jonathan Ho, Benjamin Ho 

• Grandsons-in-law: Soham Upadhye and Dustin Jones 

• Great-grandchild: Ruhi Elizabeth Upadhye 

Thomas’ funeral Mass will be held at the Church of the Resurrection, 63 Mason Road, Fairport, NY  14450, at 11 AM on Thursday, November 7, 2024. There will be no calling hours, nor interment at  this time. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Thomas’ memory to the Open Door Mission, P.O. Box  14236, Rochester, NY 14614-0236. 

Memories of Dad (by Rick Jaworowicz) 

Early Life 

Dad was born on Saturday, May 8, 1937, as Thomas Stanislaus Jaworowicz, to parents Stephen &  Stella Jaworowicz. He would later use his confirmation name, John, as his middle name. The family  lived on Hess Avenue in Erie, PA. Brother, John Richard and sister, Carol would follow, but tragically,  John died of pneumonia at age 2.  

As a child, Dad spent a lot of time with his maternal grandmother, Catherine Lojewski, helping her  prepare meals and do chores around her home. Sundays were a special time at Grandma  Catherine’s house, as all the aunts, uncles and cousins would gather there after Mass. The women 

would visit and prepare the afternoon meal, and the men would visit over drinks. The kids would play  around the house or in the yard. After the meal, the men would retire to the front room, and with  stomachs full, they would fall asleep to Sammy Kaye’s big band on the radio. Our family still refers to  the sleepy times after meals as ‘Sammy Kaye’ time. 

Education 

• St. Casimir’s Catholic School, Erie, PA 

• Cathedral Prep High School, Erie, PA 

• University of Detroit, Detroit, MI 

• Gannon College, Erie, PA (Bachelors degree in Engineering) 

Dad started school in 1942, and had to learn English, as the family spoke only Polish at home. Once  Dad started school, the family began speaking English at home. Dad was a particularly good student,  and a fine athlete, playing basketball, bowling, and running track. 

To put himself through college, Dad joined the ROTC and played the accordion in a polka band  during high school and college. Later, he would co-op at Park Davis. 

Marriage and family 

Dad met the love of his life, Ro Jares, during their high school years, and they dated steadily through  Dad’s college years, marrying on August 8, 1959, when Mom was working at General Electric in Erie.  They were married for 65 years. 

They built a home on Hawick Road in Summit Township shortly after I was born in 1962. Melissa  followed in 1963, Christopher in 1965, and Thomas Stephen in 1966. 

Our family moved to West Webster, NY in 1968, when Dad changed employers, leaving Erie  Technological Products for Xerox Corporation. Tara Lane became the new family address, and we  stayed in that home through our high school years. During these years, we visited frequently during  holidays, with Aunt Carol, Uncle Jack and our first cousins, John, Danielle, Matt and Steve in Trenton,  ON, and with our maternal grandmother, Eleanor Jares, in Erie, PA. 

Mom and Dad would later have homes on Shadow Pines Drive in Penfield, Selborne Chase in  Perinton, and after retirement, in Venice, FL. They returned to Webster in July of 2023. They were  married for 65 years. 

Faith Life 

Dad was raised in a Catholic home and went to Catholic schools, excluding his time at the University  of Detroit. 

Dad was an Alter Server who served daily Mass and Sunday Masses at St. Casimir’s and at  Cathedral Prep in Erie. At St. Rita’s in West Webster, Dad also served at daily Mass and lectured on  Sundays. He also served on the Parish Council and as a Religious Education teacher for high school  students in the 1970s.

In retirement, Dad served at daily Mass at the Venice Cathedral and was a Stephen Minister. He had  an active prayer life throughout his life. 

Hobbies and interests 

Dad loved music, all sorts – classical, big band, rock & roll and pop. He became a gourmet cook and  wine connoisseur during the 1970s and appreciated good food and wine right up until the time of his  death.  

Dad was a sports fan. In his youth, he followed Cleveland Indians baseball on the radio and scored  the games with his father, while listening. He followed the Cleveland Browns in football.  Dad coached us in Little League baseball, followed Tom’s football career through college and after  retirement followed the Venice and Sarasota high school sports teams.