Thomas J. Pilla Sr., 83, of 114 W. Diaz Ave., Nesquehoning, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, April 28, in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township, surrounded by his loving family. He was the husband of Felicia (Acanfora) Pilla. They were married for 54 years.

He was a machine operator for Blue Ridge Pressure Castings, Lehighton, for many years before retiring.

Pilla was a breakfast cook at Maple Shade Meadows, Nesquehoning, during the early years of his retirement.

Born in the New Columbus section of Nesquehoning, he was a son of the late Thomas J. and Catherine (Coville) Pilla.

He attended Nesquehoning schools and then entered the U.S. Army, where he served as a culinary specialist.

Pilla was a member of the Nesquehoning American Legion, and was also very active in the Carbon County Sports Hall of Fame, where he served as the Nesquehoning representative and was honored by the Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.

Tom was a self-taught stone mason and carpenter and was a great gardener and mushroom picker.

He was an avid fan of Notre Dame football, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles.

He was of the Roman Catholic faith and was a former member of the former Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in the New Columbus section of Nesquehoning, and was always proud to have been the first baby baptized by the late Msgr. Angelini.

Surviving in addition to his widow are four sons, Thomas Jr., and his wife, Nancy, Joseph, and his wife, Louise, and Robert, all of Nesquehoning, and James, and his wife, Gina, of Nazareth,; two sisters, Beatrice Canzoneri of Nesquehoning and Antoinette, wife of Joseph Barros of Philadelphia; and 12 grandchildren, John "Jay," and his wife, Caitlyn, and Christopher, Anthony, Emily, Abby, Angela, Theresa, Maria, Kourtney, Andrew, Dominic and Tony.

He was also preceded in death by a brother Joseph; a sister Magdeline; and a brother-in-law, Anthony "Terry" Canzoneri.

Service: Mass of Christian Burial 2 p.m. Monday, May 2, Church of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Shrine of St. Theresa of Liseau, New Columbus, Nesquehoning. Calling hours and interment will be private. Contributions in his name may be made to the Shrine of St. Theresa of Liseau, c/o the Bruce A. Nalesnik Funeral Home, 57 W. Center St., Nesquehoning, PA 18240.