Thomas D. Moran III, (a/k/a Dad, Papa, Big Papa, Tom), of Sebring, FL, passed away quickly and unexpectedly while in the kind and loving care of VNA Hospice House in Vero Beach, on October 5, 2023, after complications due to Mantle Cell Lymphoma (which he battled for just under 7 years).

Tom was born in Buffalo, NY on March 5, 1945 to Thomas D. and Alma G. Moran. He lived in Buffalo, NY as a child, where he met his beloved late wife of over 53 years, Marcella, and then eventually moved to Florida, where they landed in Orange Park, FL, and then finally settled in Sebring, FL, where he lived at the time of his death.

He is survived by his son Thomas (Kimberly) Moran, IV of Sebring, FL, his daughters Suzanne (Steven) VanLeeuwen of Orange Park, FL, and Charlene (Travis) Carter of Ft. Pierce, FL, his 7 grandchildren Kelsey, Kaitlyn, Kody, Hayleigh, Brionna, Shelby and Nathan, 13 Great Grandchildren, 4 siblings Kathleen (Dan) Hawrylczak, Daniel (Gloria) Moran, Marilyn (Jim) Nemeth and William (Pam) Moran, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  In addition to his wife, parents, and his younger brother Patrick, he is preceded in death by his infant Great Grandson Mark Walters (2018).

The second oldest of 6 children, Tom met the love of his life, Marcella, at a young age (teenage love), graduated from Hutchinson Central Technical High School, married Marcella, and, as he so loved to tell it, he graduated from the Buffalo State College in 1967, with his Bachelor’s degree, a penny in his pocket, his wife at his side, and his son on his hip. He would go on to work as a salesman, for many companies, eventually retiring from Hilti Tools, where he excelled at demonstrating and selling tools that would help with large constructions projects, including projects at the University of Florida, Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Go Gators). After his retirement from Hilti, he would continue to work small side jobs, assisting with deliveries of sheds, and scrapping metal. He was never not busy, at least not until recently, as his body told him it was time to slow down.

Tom was quite the handyman, who took great pleasure and pride in building things, including many home modifications (raised a roof and added a bonus room), patios, pool decks, sheds, and so much more. It was in these building projects that he forged many close relationships with his family, friends and neighbors who were always willing to lend a hand. According to Tom’s own handwritten note, his life goals were to retire at 65, have a home on a lake with no mortgage, to have meaningful work that he loved and a happy family life. There is no question that Tom met each of those goals. But, if you would have asked Tom, he would have told you that he was most proud of the family that he and Marcella built together.

Although we were simply not ready for him to leave us so quickly, we are grateful that his pain and suffering has ended, that his body is whole once again, and that he is feasting and dancing with his beautiful bride, our mom, Marcella, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He will be truly and greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Tom’s memory to Visiting Nurse Association, 920 37^th Place #101, Vero Beach, FL 32960 (www.vnatc.org); or Lymphoma Research Foundation, Wall Street Plaza, 88 Pine Street, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10005 (https://secure3.convio.net/lrf/site/Donation2?df_id=3561&mfc_pref=T&3561.donation=form1)

Cremation arrangements entrusted to Millennium Cremation Service, 800 8^th Street, Vero Beach, FL 32962. Online condolences may be left at: www.millenniumcremationservice.com