Daniel J. Tomsho

He is now at peace and reunited with the loved ones who predeceased him. They include his parents, John and Mary (Valko) Tomsho; his brothers John, Robert and Donnie; and his stepson, John Luli.

Dan was born Dec. 13, 1935, in Canton, Ohio, where he graduated from Timken Vocational High School. To his children, he sometimes claimed to have been the valedictorian of the class of 1953, but they were never able to find any solid proof. Whether asked to or not, Dan proudly and loudly sang the Timken Trojan Fight Song at every opportunity. Repeat listeners who grimaced gave him such delight that he sometimes sang it again.

Dan was also enormously proud of his Slovak heritage. As a young man, he learned to play polka music on the sleek black accordion that he bought on time. A lifelong lover of pierogis, he maintained that none could compare to his mother’s. Even so, no pierogi that ever crossed his path was safe.

During his Cold War time in the military, he served in the U.S. Army’s intelligence service. There, he specialized in coding, decoding and sending messages. He also got to know the American Southwest, where he was stationed.

At one point, Dan visited the Grand Canyon with an Army buddy. Hooked for life on its majesty, he visited with his young family whenever they could squeeze in a trip. He explored its many trails as a hiker and rafted the Colorado River multiple times with family and friends. He relished sharing stories about the Canyon’s secrets and beauty. After retirement, he visited almost every year. Dan didn’t joke about the Grand Canyon, but almost every other aspect of life was fair and frequent game for his wisecracks. He might greet a visiting nephew by asking how long he planned to stay. He loved helping friends and relatives paint their houses, but those who accepted his assistance sometimes had to endure his ribbing about their subpar brush technique. Dan was a joyous, free-flowing fountain of one-liners and those who knew and loved him – many of them frequent targets -- wouldn’t have had it any other way.

After retiring with 36 years at the U.S. Postal Service, Dan volunteered with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Festival and at Aultman Hospital. He was a long-time member of the Hall of Fame luncheon club.

Despite his penchant for joking and fun, Dan had a deeply serious side. He loved his Catholic faith where he found comfort during the many trials he endured during his last illness. He worshipped at St. Michael the Archangel Church, in Canton, where he was a Eucharistic minister for many years.

Dan was also a “friend of Bob’s,” and a steadfast source of support and camaraderie for others in the fellowship, particularly newcomers.

Dan is survived by Carolyn Adelman, his loving wife of 26 years; his children Renee (David) Clark, Daniel (Stephanie) Tomsho and Tim (Sharon) Tomsho; granddaughter Andrea (Aaron) Oblisk; and great grandson Theo Oblisk. He is also survived by his stepchildren Chris (Darlene) Adelman, Carin Luli, Curt (Linda) Adelman, Craig (Keary) Adelman; his step grandchildren Ashley Sipes, Matthew Adelman, Lynsay (Jake) Bertin, Ben (Jen) Adelman, Cyle (Christina) Adelman, Chelsea Luli, Kaylee (Claire) Maravy, Ryan Maravy and Colton Maravy; and his step great-grandchildren, Grace and Blake Sipes, Phoenix and Scarlett Adelman, and Lailey and Brooks Bertin. Other survivors include Marilyn Tomsho, his beloved sister-in-law, his niece Pat (Dan Germain) Tomsho, nephews Rob (Lesley Becker) Tomsho and John (Carol) Tomsho and ex-wife Nancy Tomsho.

Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Rev. Tom Dyer, will be held at 11am on Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, 3430 St. Michael Dr. NW, Canton, Ohio, 44718. Interment at St. Joseph Cemetery in Randolph will be held at 3:00pm.

Memorial donations in Dan’s memory can be made to Lewy Body Dementia Association, Inc.

912 Killian Hill Road S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047 or online at www.lbda.org

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com.

(Wood-Kortright-Borkoski 330-296-6436)