Obituary for Thomas Delli Carpini

            Thomas Delli Carpini, age 83, of Hampton, died at the Northampton Convalescent Center on Tuesday, December 23, 2003, of complications related to Alzheimer’s disease.

            Born in Teano, Italy, he came to the United States when he was two years old and grew up in Weirton, West Virginia, where he graduated as valedictorian from Follansbee High School in 1938.  Unable to serve in the armed services during World War II, he took a job with the newly created the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), married Wanda Bailey, and moved to Hampton in 1942.  He continued to work as an engineering technician with NASA until his retirement in 1980 and was honored with awards relating to his work on the space shuttle and for 37 years of meritorious service.

            A life-long Democrat, he instilled the values of his working-class roots in his children along with his love of politics, the Yankees, and Notre Dame.  He was an avid golfer and community volunteer, helping to establish the Northampton Little League, where he served as president and officiated from 1956 to 1980.  He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Hampton, and affiliated with the Hampton BPOE Lodge 366.

            After the death of his wife in 1989, he joined the Sunshiners where he met Marge Bukovitch, marrying her in 1994.  They lived very happily until Alzheimer’s began to take it terrible toll.

            He was a gentle, kind soul, “the nicest man in the world,” according to his sister-in-law, Fran Bailey.  He will be remembered by family and friends for his generosity, intellect, unbounded love of family, service to his community, and a well-lived life. 

            He is survived by his wife, Marge, Hayes, Virginia; sisters Lena Magnone and Ida Calvarese, Weirton, West Va.; his children, Sherri West, Manasquan, NJ, Thomas D. Jr., Wildwood, MO, Jennifer Ashcraft and Gina Neil, Hampton, and eight grandchildren who will miss “Pa” dearly.

            In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in his memory be sent to the Immaculate Conception Church, Hampton, or to the Hampton Roads Chapter, Alzheimer’s Association, 20 Interstate Corp. Center, Suite 233, Norfolk, VA 23502.  A memorial service celebrating Tom’s life will be held at the Immaculate Conception Church on January 17.