TOM COLANERO, CLASS OF 1968, PASSED AWAY IN TENNESSEE IN SEPTEMBER 2023
TOM COLANERO WITH JOHN OLESKY AT 2018 MONONGAH HIGH ALUMNI BANQUET
Tom Colanero passed away
in September 2023
Belatedly I leaned that Tom
Colanero, Class of 1968, passed away September 20, 2023 in Lebanon, Tennessee.
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Tom
was a 1972 West Virginia Tech graduate in chemical engineering, which led to a
45-year career in the chemical industry. He was New Product Manager at Pennakem for years, starting in 1994.
He was born in Monongah
to Elizabeth Milush Colanero and Philip Colanero, Jr. Tom was survived by his
wife of nearly 40 years, Juliet Khuri Colanero. Their son is Christoper
Colanero, married to Rose.
Tom’s siblings are
Paulette Colanero O’Connor, married to John Paul O’Connor; Annette Colanero
Davis, married to Mark Davis; Cathy
Colanero Johnson, married to Mike Johnson; and James Colanero, married to
Debbie.
His brother, Philip J.
Colanero, Jr., Class of 1963, who predeceased him, and I had several reunions
in the Fairmont and Morgantown area.
I also enjoyed chatting
with Tom at the 2018 annual Monongah High Alumni Banquet.
John Fazio, Class
of 1970, who lives in Charleston, West Virginia, told me:
“Tom
represented Monongah and MHS very well. He was a role model for me. An
outstanding multi-sport athlete. His Grandmother and my Grandmother were
sisters.”
Tom
played both offense and defense for the Monongah High team that won the 1966
Mason-Dixon football championship.
At Monongah High Tom was in the Honor Society, attended
Boys State, in the junior class play, a starter on the MHS basketball team, on
the track team and on the golf team.
Tom’s sister, Paulette Lynn Colanero O’Connor, Class of
1966, was on legendary Coach Gene Kendzior’s 1960 Monongah girls softball team
that won the Marion County title.
Son Chris Colanero lives in Nashville, Tennessee and is a
pharmacist at St. Thomas Hospital.
Julie’s father, Mose Khuri, and Tom’s dad are deceased.
Tom’s obituary:
Thomas Ray Colanero, age
73 of Lebanon, TN passed away peacefully at his home on September 20,
2023. A memorial service will be held Saturday, September 30, 2023 in the
chapel of Sellars Funeral Home in Lebanon, TN. The Family will be receiving friends
at the Funeral Home from 1:00 p.m. until the service begins at 2:00 p.m.
Tom earned a Bachelor of
Science degree in Chemical Engineering from West Virginia Institute of
Technology in 1972 and enjoyed a successful career in the chemical industry for
45years. Tom is remembered for his joyful disposition, sense of humor, and wisdom.
He was a friend and neighbor to all and had the most generous spirit. He loved
golfing, fishing, reading and was always outside with his dogs or completing
DIY projects around his home. Most importantly, he was a proud husband, father
and grandfather. He loved spending his time with family, especially his
granddaughters. Reading to them, playing with them, and seeing them smile made
his day.
Tom was born in Monongah,
WV to Elizabeth Milush and Philip Colanero. In addition to his parents, he is
preceded in death by his brother, Philip J. Colanero, Jr. He is survived by his
wife of nearly 40 years, Juliet Khuri Colanero; his son and his wife, Christopher
and Rose Colanero; his granddaughters, Adira Rey and Leia Rose Colanero; his
“bonus son” Wani Hakim; his three sisters and their husbands, Paulette &
John Paul O’Connor, Annette & Mark Davis, Cathy & Mike Johnson and
brother James & Debbie Colanero; and his cherished pets, Peyton and Moses.
In lieu of flowers, the
family would appreciate donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a cause
that was dear to Tom’s heart.
Arrangements by Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.
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