Thomas Anthony LaVilla, aged 83, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones in the early morning hours on Sunday, August 27, 2023.
Born in Long Island, NY on June 2, 1940, Tom was the son of Adolfo Joaquin la Villa and Elvira do Pico Garcia la Villa, and the youngest of his brothers, Jack and Ronnie. He grew up in Port Washington, New York before enrolling in LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, New York.
Tom went on to pursue further education in Cincinnati, Ohio where he majored in English at Xavier University. He found many reasons to love and stay in Cincinnati as he married Donna (Wehby) LaVilla and had three beautiful children: Maria, Tommy and Teresa. Later in his life, he married again and had two more beautiful girls, Danielle (Fran) and Camille.
Tom excelled in his career as a marketing executive in new business development, including his time as Senior Vice President of Marketing at the Benchmark Group, and New Business Development Advisor at Dryden and Petisi.
Tom loved sports of all kinds, especially golf - whether it was golfing with friends as a longtime member at Coldstream Country Club or traveling all over seeing the world and its finest courses. He was moved by beautiful music, loved animals (especially his dogs, Theo and Bella), and never turned down the opportunity to dine well with the people he loved over a great steak dinner. Tom spent the final years of his life living in downtown Cincinnati with his fiancé, Jill Schaeffer.
More than anything, Tom loved his family. Whether it was sending them letters, calling to say he loved them, showing up unannounced, bringing donuts on Saturday mornings or Sunday brunch - Tom was a beloved father and grandfather and the world of everyone who knew and loved him will never be the same.
He was preceded in death by his father Adolfo, his mother Elvira, and his brothers Jack and Ronnie. He is survived by his children Maria (Bruce) Holaday, Tommy (Shirley) la Villa, Teresa (Joey) Whalen, Fran (Bryan) Dorsey and Camille (Spencer) Messer, and his grandchildren: Cameron, Brandon, Lauren, Tommy, Jake, Kayla, Gavin, Elsa, Amos, Margot, Felix, and Dawes. Tom is also survived by his loving partner, Jill Schaeffer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (7820 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255) on Friday, September 1, 2023. Visitation from 9:00-10:00am, with Mass to follow at 10:00am.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Thomas "Tom" Lavilla, please visit our flower store.
Born in Long Island, NY on June 2, 1940, Tom was the son of Adolfo Joaquin la Villa and Elvira do Pico Garcia la Villa, and the youngest of his brothers, Jack and Ronnie. He grew up in Port Washington, New York before enrolling in LaSalle Military Academy in Oakdale, New York.
Tom went on to pursue further education in Cincinnati, Ohio where he majored in English at Xavier University. He found many reasons to love and stay in Cincinnati as he married Donna (Wehby) LaVilla and had three beautiful children: Maria, Tommy and Teresa. Later in his life, he married again and had two more beautiful girls, Danielle (Fran) and Camille.
Tom excelled in his career as a marketing executive in new business development, including his time as Senior Vice President of Marketing at the Benchmark Group, and New Business Development Advisor at Dryden and Petisi.
Tom loved sports of all kinds, especially golf - whether it was golfing with friends as a longtime member at Coldstream Country Club or traveling all over seeing the world and its finest courses. He was moved by beautiful music, loved animals (especially his dogs, Theo and Bella), and never turned down the opportunity to dine well with the people he loved over a great steak dinner. Tom spent the final years of his life living in downtown Cincinnati with his fiancé, Jill Schaeffer.
More than anything, Tom loved his family. Whether it was sending them letters, calling to say he loved them, showing up unannounced, bringing donuts on Saturday mornings or Sunday brunch - Tom was a beloved father and grandfather and the world of everyone who knew and loved him will never be the same.
He was preceded in death by his father Adolfo, his mother Elvira, and his brothers Jack and Ronnie. He is survived by his children Maria (Bruce) Holaday, Tommy (Shirley) la Villa, Teresa (Joey) Whalen, Fran (Bryan) Dorsey and Camille (Spencer) Messer, and his grandchildren: Cameron, Brandon, Lauren, Tommy, Jake, Kayla, Gavin, Elsa, Amos, Margot, Felix, and Dawes. Tom is also survived by his loving partner, Jill Schaeffer.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church (7820 Beechmont Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45255) on Friday, September 1, 2023. Visitation from 9:00-10:00am, with Mass to follow at 10:00am.
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