Obituary of Jeff A. Tomassini

Jeff A. Tomassini, 94, of 5 Midgley St. Jamestown, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2016, in the UPMC Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA. An area resident for most of his life, he was born December 7, 1921 in Jamestown, NY, a son of the late Edmondo and Gelsomina DiSabatino Tomassini. Following his graduation from Jamestown High School in 1940, he worked for a couple years before enlisting in the U.S. Army where he served from July 18, 1942 to January 1, 1946 during World War II. He spent 900 hours flying the hump in Burma during the war. During his tour of duty he received the American Service Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two clusters. Before his retirement he had co-owned and operated, with his brother in law Angelo Anzideo, the former Linwood Dairy Store on Linwood Ave. for 50 years, working as a grocer and butcher. It was the typical neighborhood grocery store where they were noted for their penny candy, homemade Italian sausage, submarine sandwiches and famous for the Sunday morning coffee hours. The store had opened in 1946 and was closed in 1996. He will be remembered a s loving and caring father and grandfather who always put his family first. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, baking and loved attending his grandchildren's many sporting and school events. Surviving are his two children, Edmond (Debra) Tomassini, Jaunita M. "Nita" (David) Walter, both of Jamestown, seven grandchildren, Dr. Scott A. Walter, MD of Boston, MA, Lauren N. (Ian Jacobs) Walter of Vancouver, BC, Dr. Megan E. (Adam McKinley) Tomassini, DPT of Frewsburg, NY, Matthew J. Tomassini of Jamestown, Katherine A. Tomassini of Jamestown, Aaron L. Tomassini of Buffalo, NY, Lane J. Tomassini of Jamestown, and a daughter-in-law Claire Tomassini of Jamestown. Besides his parents he was preceded in death by his wife the former Mary E. Biggin Tomassini whom he married September 7, 1953 and who died October 12, 2004 and a son, Raymond J. Tomassini who died September 21, 2012 and a sister, Lucrezia "Lou" Anzideo who died December 8, 2011. The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday in the Lind Funeral Home. The Rev. Darrell G. Duffy, pastor of St. James Catholic Church will officiate. Entombment will be in the Sunset Hill Cemetery Mausoleum. Friends will be received from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Centaur Stride, Inc. P.O. Box 174, Westfield, NY 14787, where his grandson Matthew continues to enjoy horseback riding, or to a charity of one's choice.