Thomas N. Berbari, Sr.

Thomas N. Berbari Sr., age 85 of Massillon, Ohio entered the Gates of Heaven on August 1, 2008. After a brief battle with asbestos related mesothelioma lung cancer. He was born December 14, 1922 in Zanesville, Ohio to the late Nicolas and Mary (Frem) Berbari. Tom was also preceded in death by his brother Joseph Berbari, sisters Loucile Berbari, Georgette Berbari and Jeannette (Edward) Elum. He is survived by his loving wife Geri (Clark) of 64 yrs. Daughter Lori Berbari Stolte, sons; Thomas N. Berbari Jr., Michael J. Berbari (Mara), and step son James Shafer all of Massillon. Six grandchildren; Brian Berbari, Deanna (Ben)Baughman, Michael Berbari II, Donnie Stolte, Matt Stolte, and Danny Stolte; five great-grandchildren; Nicolas Berbari, Brianna Berbari, Jessica Berbari, Jaxson Baughman, and Natalie Stolte; two brothers John (Mary) Berbari; George (Suzie) Berbari; five sisters; Angeline (Joe) Rashid, Juliet (Albert) Habib, Rosemarie (Phillip) George, Adele (Gene) Moore, Yvonne (Tom) Jesser; many cousins, nephews, and nieces. Tom graduated from Massillon Washington High School in 1941. He then was employed by Babcock & Wilcox as a machinist, after a year he joined the Air Force then returning to B&W to be their master electrician. He retired after 35 yrs. of service. While employed at B&W he opened a newspaper fountain store in the early to mid forties The Hub. He later started a television/radio repair business in the late forties on Tremont Ave. S.E. called Berbari TV. In the mid 50's Tom turned down a job that was offered him to work for Cape Canaveral. The television business was moved to Perry Township in the late 50's until he built a new building behind his residence in 1959. Tom was the first person in Massillon to build his very own television. In the mid 70's Tom took half of his television shop and transformed it in to a machine shop where he sub-contracted work. He also enjoyed building his own ham radio transceivers and being a founding member of the Massillon Amateur Radio Club. Tom's enjoyments and hobbies besides caring for and loving his family involved watching history and discovery channels, electronics, machine work, carpentry, plumbing, and flying his plane to the Lake Erie Islands for a cup of coffee or to Zanesville to see his sister. With his brothers and sisters they kept him very busy with his talents, he was the Go to Guy If something was broke, Uncle Tom can fix it. He will be sadly missed by family friends especially his Cronies at Downtown McDonalds, but not forgotten. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. Friends may call from 5 – 8 p.m. on Monday and from 9-9:40 a.m. on Tuesday at the Paquelet Funeral Home. Fr. Tom Bishop and Fr. Raymond Paul will concelebrate. Paquelet Funeral Home A Golden Rule Funeral Home (330)833-3222