Thomas M. Barcellona

Thomas Michael Barcellona of Charlotte passed away peacefully on October 8, 2014. The dedicated father, husband and CPA was surrounded by family when he boarded his last train and left to meet the Lord. He will be joining his parents Anthony and Margaret Barcellona of Woodbridge, New Jersey, and his older brother Anthony Barcellona.

In his youth Tom was an excellent athlete and had a passion for sports. In high school you would find Tom competing against his cousins in both baseball and football. As he got older he began to coach his three sons, Tommy, Michael and Sean, on their respective athletic teams, as well as dominating the softball field as a third baseman in the Senior League. He was also an avid golfer, spending many hours playing at Cedarwood Country Club. The crowning achievement in his athletic career came when he broke two tackles and scored a touchdown while playing football for Villanova University. Go Wildcats!

Tom always believed in community service. He held many positions from serving on his Homeowners board to serving proudly in the Air Force and everything in between. He worked and volunteered with the Kidney Foundation and the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. His sense of service didn't stop with just charities as Tom spent many hours helping friends, family and small businesses to achieve success.

Tom loved the environment and especially the outdoors. Tom enjoyed hiking and camping in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina, the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and the Adirondacks of New York. However, if there was one trail that captivated and motivated him the most, it was the Appalachian Trail. Tom spent many hours planning his charity hike for the trail, deciding to donate the endeavor to the Kidney Foundation in memory of his brother. While dreaming of the Appalachian Trail, Tom spent time in Charlotte campaigning for the Green Ways system in order to bring nature into the beautiful city of Charlotte.

Passionate about his family, he is remembered and loved by wife Ellen Waters Barcellona, his sons Tommy (Sarah), Mike and Sean (Lindy), his two grandsons Thomas and Matthew, and many cousins that are more like brothers and sisters and their children. He is greatly missed.

The family will receive friends on Sunday, October 12, 2014, from 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8 pm at McEwen Pineville Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 13, 2014, at 11 am, at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church, 6828 Old Reid Rd., Charlotte, NC. Interment Forest Lawn East Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Appalachian Trail Conservatory in memory of Tom and his dream. The Appalachian Trail Conservatory, Post Office Box 807, Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425. http://www. appalachiantrail.org.