THOMAS R. CASERTA, age 80, of Piqua, OH went home to be with the Lord at 12:04 P.M. on Tuesday, November 18, 2014, at Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque, NM. He was born in Piqua, OH, on September 29, 1934, to the late Charles and Nunziatine (Cipriano) Caserta. He married Barbara J. Wellings in Dayton, Ohio, on June 10, 1961. She survives.
Thomas is also survived by one son: Brian Caserta and Julie Budz, Pueblo West, CO; one daughter: Michelle Caserta, Piqua, OH; four brothers: Rev. Fr. Angelo C. Caserta, Piqua, OH, Rev. Fr. Charles W. Caserta, Piqua, OH, Joseph C. Caserta, Piqua, OH, and William (Bill) Caserta, Piqua, OH; one sister: Amelia D. Gillis, Piqua, OH; and seven grandchildren: Suzanne Caserta, Lia Caserta, Danielle Caserta, Joshua Waugh and his fiancé, Brittany, Nick Pierre, Jacob Doughty, and Shayne Doughty; and two great grandchildren: Mia and Bella Homan . He was also survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by three brothers: C. Anthony Caserta, Bert Caserta and Vincent Caserta; and three sisters: Eleanor Johnston, Rose Tyler, and Virginia Marsili.
Thomas graduated from Piqua Catholic High School in 1952. He was a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church, Piqua, where he was very active in the church activities. He was a member of the Worship Committee, a Lecture, and an Usher for many years. He was the coordinator of the Corpus Christy event for St. Boniface Catholic Church and St. Mary Catholic Church. He was a Server and also coordinated and trained the Servers for years. He also was on the committee for funeral dinners, was an Eucharistic Minister, assisted office staff at the church, and a leader of the Adoration Hour in the St. Claire Chapel for over twenty years. Along with Thomas’ activities at church, he also served on the school boards for St. Boniface and Lehman High School, a member of the Professional Car Society and a member of Knights of St. John Commandery #194.
Thomas was a sales representative of Funeral Coaches, Ambulances and Limousines with Miller-Meteor in Piqua from 1963 until they closed in 1979. After they closed, he sold Professional Cars for thirty-five years.
Thomas proudly served his country in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1960 in Korea.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, at St. Boniface Catholic Church, Piqua with Rev. Fr. Thomas Bolte, Rev. Fr. Angelo Caserta and Rev. Fr. Charles Caserta and other Priests as co-celebrants. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery, Piqua. Full military honors will be presented by The Veterans Elite Tribute Squad. Friends may call from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Monday at Melcher-Sowers Funeral Home, Piqua. A prayer service will be held at 2:00 P.M. at the funeral home. The Knights of St. John Commandery #194 will have a prayer service at 8:00 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Father Angelo Caserta Tuition Assistance Fund, 310 S. Downing Street, Piqua, OH 45356 or Hospice of Miami County, P. O. Box 502, Troy, OH 45373. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.melcher-sowers.com.