Thomasine "Tommi" DeCarlo

POLAND — Thomasine “Tommi” Flask DeCarlo, 95, passed away peacefully, Monday, Sept. 18, 2024, at The Inn at Poland Way. She lived a life filled with love of family and friends. Her great love of conversation, cooking, baking and social activities endeared her to those who were fortunate enough to have known her. Tommi lived a remarkable life filled with kindness, compassion and a perpetual smile that never failed to brighten the lives of those around her. 

Tommi was born Oct. 24, 1928, in Youngstown, the daughter of Anthony B. and Lena Pecchio Flask. She was raised in Brier Hill and was proud of her Italian heritage. Tommi grew up alongside her many Pecchio cousins who treated her like a sibling. 

She was a 1946 graduate of The Rayen School and cherished the many friendships she made there. Together with her husband, Tommi planned and attended all of their high school class reunions for many years.After graduation, Tommi was employed as a secretary at Truscon Steel Co. and married her high school sweetheart, Matthew John DeCarlo, on April 7, 1948, at St. Anthony of Padua Church. 

Following the birth of her first daughter, Tommi devoted her time to raising her family on the North Side of Youngstown. During this time, she enjoyed dinners, dancing and weekend trips with her couples club and cousins, as well as her monthly 500 card club dinners and firemen wives club activities. Tommi and Matthew also were members of the PTOs at the schools their daughters attended, St. Anthony Elementary School and Ursuline High School, where they helped organize and attended many fundraising events. 

In 1963, Tommi returned to work at her family’s business, Union Distributing Company in Girard, as a secretary and then the office manager. In 1977, when her father became ill, Tommi was appointed vice president of the company and ran the business until it was sold.

 In 1983, Tommi and Matt moved to Boardman and also enjoyed being “snowbirds” at Conquistador in Stuart, Florida. Every January they looked forward to life with their many Florida friends. 

Tommi is survived by her two loving daughters, Karen (Anthony “OJ”) Thomas and Renee (James) Drentkiewicz; and her three grandchildren, Anthony (Janice) Felt, Leanna (David) Kemble and Matthew (Lauren) Thomas, who will forever cherish their beautiful memories of their mother and grandmother. She was also blessed with seven great-grandchildren, Tobin and Anthony Felt, Jackson, Thomas and Grant Kemble, and Livia and Lena Thomas, who were always delighted with their “Nonnie’s” warm smile and presence. Tommi also leaves her devoted brother and sister-in-law, Edward and Patrica Flask, and her many nieces, nephews and cousins whom she cherished. 

Tommi was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Matthew DeCarlo; and her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, especially Elizabeth DeCarlo DelSignore, with whom she shared a special bond.

We would like to thank the Reese family, Buckeye Hospice and the devoted staff at The Inn at Poland Way for the exceptional care and compassion given to Tommi. She especially enjoyed her years as a resident of The Inn at Ironwood, where she loved being part of all their activities. 

The family has requested that material tributes take the form of donations to St. Christine Church to help defray the cost of their new Blessed Mother statue.

Family and friends may pay their respects to Tommi’s family 10 to 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, at St. Christine Church, 3165 S. Schenley Ave., Youngstown, OH 44511, where a Mass of Celebration will follow at 11 a.m. 

Professional arrangements have been handled by the Higgins-Reardon Funeral Home, Boardman-Canfield Chapel.