Thomas Paul De Cesare

Thomas Paul De Cesare, 89, died March 29,2022 in Tampa, Florida. He was born on June 27, 1932, in Minnesota, the eldest of five children, to Agnes and Charles De Cesare. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Lee Drury De Cesare, his daughter Cathy De Cesare, sister Mary Anne Scavone and brothers Charles (Rita) and Joseph (Mildred) De Cesare. Tom served in the US Navy for three years during the Korean Conflict. A true Renaissance Man, he met his wife when they were both employed as flight attendants for Eastern Airlines. He proposed on their first date, and they were married six months later. Moving to Minneapolis, Minnesota, their four children quickly joined the family. Lee worked as a nurse while Tom attended and graduated from the University of Minnesota with his degree in Psychology. He was employed with Metropolitan Life in New York and eventually transferred to Tampa as Vice President of Human Resources. Following his retirement, Tom and Lee moved to Madeira Beach where he indulged his passions for deep sea fishing as well as his beautiful paintings, often winning first prize at local art shows. He soon became involved in small town politics and was elected to the Madeira Beach City Commission serving as a commissioner and ultimately the Mayor. He represented Madeira Beach on the Barrier Islands Government Council (BIG-C) and was instrumental in creating the 9-11 Memorial in his city. He is survived by son, Leo (Toni) De Cesare daughters, Andrea (Michael McKenzie) Swor and Margie (Claude-Yves) Jean and his grandchildren Alanna, Jacody (Alle), Isaiah, Jade (Daniel), Elijah and Noah Swor, Danielle Dee, Christophe Jean, Ethan and Colin De Cesare, great-grandchildren, Beijah, Silas and Xaqa Swor and brother, George (Marilyn) De Cesare and brother-in-law, Angelo Scavone. A private Celebration of Life will be held by his family to honor Tom. Interment will be in Brooksville Cemetery. Those who wish to do so are encouraged to donate to Doctors without Borders, https://donate.doctorswithoutborders.org in Tom’s name.