Thomas John Pennea

The son of Albert Pennea and Helen Reisenberger Pennea, Tom was born on May 17, 1948 in Brooklyn, New York, grew up on Long Island and graduated from Central Islip High School. Upon graduation from high school, he worked in construction with his father until being drafted on April 1, 1968.

At the age of twenty, Tom was drafted by the United States Army and was sent to Vietnam in 1968. He valued this service highly and attained the rank of Sergeant with the Big Red One, 1st Infantry Division. He served as Infantry Squad Leader of C Co., 1st Battalion 28th Infantry and later transferred to E Co., 1st Battalion 28th Infantry. As part of this service, Tom earned the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and Combat Infantryman Badge.

Tom will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Diane Bricketto Pennea and daughters: Nicole Pennea Richardson (BJ), and Michele Pennea-Brewer (Peter Rapone), his son: Michael Pennea (Heather Carson), his grandchildren: Logan Marshall (Andrew), Thomas Brewer (Caroline), Lucas Richardson (Payton), Michael Pennea II, Gianna Brewer (Dominic), and Riley Pennea, his great grandchildren: Penny Richardson and Dominic Soto, his sisters: Carol Pennea Walter and Alice Pennea Stark, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Pennea.

Tom will be remembered most for the immeasurable impact he has made on so many lives. To know him was to truly love him. He was kind, gentle, loving, and a rock to many. He had a gift for connecting with people and once he was your friend, you had a friend for life. He was an incredible role model for anyone he took under his wing and made part of our family. He would lend a hand to anyone in need and always showed up for those he cared about. He was eager to learn new things and didn’t accept “I don’t know” as an answer.

He was very proud of his service in Vietnam and his time as a police officer in Boynton Beach. He served his country, community, and family with honor, integrity and a deep sense of duty. His legacy will live on in all the lives he touched.

A viewing and military service honoring the life of Thomas John Pennea will be held from 10am – 2pm on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Deltona Memorial Funeral Home. 1295 Saxon Blvd, Orange City, FL 32763.

A reception honoring Tom will follow at the Moose Lodge from 2-4 pm.

1081 N Volusia Ave, Orange City, FL 32763

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to an organization close to Tom’s heart, It's Pop Smoke K9 for Veterans. They train dogs for Veterans with PTSD. The link is https://www.popsmokek9forveterans.org/