Tom Servino

Eulogy

Thomas Servino was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1950, and from an early age, he faced challenges that would have defined a lesser man. At just four years old, Tom contracted polio, which left his right leg paralyzed for life. This happened tragically just before the polio vaccine became widely available. But Tom never let his physical limitations define him or limit his aspirations.

Growing up in Brooklyn, Tom developed the qualities that would serve him throughout his life: resilience, practicality, and an unwavering commitment to his family. He had a sharp wit, a quick sense of humor, and the ability to find joy in life's simple pleasures. Tom was skeptical by nature, always looking for the catch in any deal, but this skepticism served him well in building a secure future for his family.

Tom met the love of his life, Marcia, and together they built a beautiful family. He was a devoted husband and father who believed that being present mattered more than being perfect. Though he couldn't coach his children's sports teams or run around the yard, he found other ways to connect and teach. He shared his love of music with his daughter Kate and they spent countless hours singing together while he played the guitar. He introduced his son Paul to computers and technology, sparking a passion that would shape Paul's entire career. He taught both his children practical skills and created lasting memories through shared experiences like attending the Monterey Bay Blues Festival.

Professionally, Tom worked as salesman for Xerox, but his true talent lay in his ability to save and invest wisely. Through careful financial planning and living below his means, he built substantial wealth that allowed him and Marcia to travel the world and enjoy a comfortable retirement.

Tom was a man of many interests. He loved music and played guitar, was passionate about photography, enjoyed cooking, and even made wine from grapes he grew in his backyard. Despite his physical limitations, he was remarkably resourceful - crawling under the house to run internet cables, converting guitar pedals from battery to plug-in power, and never letting anything stop him from accomplishing what needed to be done.

As a grandfather, "Nonno" found new joy in his grandchildren, Nathaniel and Bailey. He delighted in entertaining them with voices and elephant impressions, just as he had done with his own children years before. They made him come alive again, unleashing his humor, silliness, and playful energy.

Tom's final years were marked by increasing pain from the long-term effects of polio, but he faced these challenges with the same quiet strength he had shown throughout his life. Even in his final days in the hospital, unable to speak, his concern for others remained paramount - his first written question was about whether the San Jose Sharks had won their game.

Tom Servino lived for 74 years, and in that time, he proved that a life's worth isn't measured by what challenges you face, but by how you face them. He was a loving husband, devoted father, cherished grandfather, and friend to many. His legacy lives on in the values he instilled, the love he shared, and the example he set of living life with dignity, humor, and grace.

He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.