Thomas Weirich

Tom's adult children, Cal and Melissa, and his wife, Charlotte, were with him during his final hours and stayed by his side throughout his transition. Tom also leaves six grandchildren, Caroline, Cal Jr, Annamaria, Will, Luca and Nic.

Tom fought a very tough battle against Parkinson's for several years. Even with the best medical care at the hospital and at home, the disease progressed.

Tom had a very successful fifty-year career in public education as a PE teacher, athletic director, vice principal, principal, and director. His career was a culmination of a very hardworking and well-educated life.

He was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on January 8, 1940. He spent his elementary school years attending public school in Lebanon, leading a very normal childhood; however, his family made a decision when he was in ninth grade that would significantly change the trajectory of his life.

The family moved to New Bloomfield, Pennsylvania and Tom started attending Perry

Joint High School. His physical education teacher recognized that Tom had a real knack for all sports, something Tom had never realized. Tom played on the high school football, baseball and basketball teams and excelled in all three. The skills, endurance and stamina he developed in high school paved the way for a lifetime of success in all of his efforts. He always strove for excellence regardless of the challenges.

Tom's high school athletic success enabled him to attend Pennsylvania's Millersville and North Carolina's Appalachia Colleges where he focused on becoming a PE teacher. He graduated from college and began his teaching career in Pennsylvania. He soon realized that the local school system was not offering a living wage to support his young family.

Through a visiting recruiter from Charles County, Maryland, Tom was offered a teaching position. He took the leap and started what would become a very fruitful career in Maryland's public education system. By the time Tom retired in 2013, he had attained many awards including "Principal of the Year." He had achieved success as vice principal of Henry Lackey High School, and consecutively, as principal of La Plata High School, Thomas Stone High School and Stedham Education Center.

Tom's family thanks all of you for the many prayers and words of support that you provided during his long illness. We will miss him terribly, but we know that he is enjoying his newfound freedom from suffering and pain.

A memorial celebration will be held next month in Charles County Maryland. Details will follow soon.