Tom passed away of leukemia on December 17th at home with his family.
Tom was born February 5th, 1938 in Pittsburg, CA to Thomas and Helen DiMercurio. He spent his childhood playing sports at the Pittsburg Boys' Club and lettered in football, basketball, baseball, and track and field at Pittsburg High. He graduated in 1955 and was later inducted into the Pittsburg Hall of Fame in 1998. He played football at DVC and then entered the army where he was stationed in Germany. He played baseball and coached little league while serving. Tom returned to Pittsburg where he married Patti and enrolled at Humboldt State in Arcata, CA majoring in education. Tom played baseball and football for Humboldt and was inducted into their Hall of Fame for both sports.
Tom took a teaching and coaching job at Clayton Valley High in Concord where he coached football, baseball, and tennis and retired in 1997. He was inducted into the Clayton Valley Hall of Fame for coaching the three sports.
He and his wife, Patti, moved to Trilogy in Brentwood in 2007 and formed lasting friendships within that community. He enjoyed his "coffee group" every morning and played golf and bocce. In 2012, Tom had a bone marrow transplant donated by a young nurse, Michelle, in Texas. She was a perfect match for transplant through "Be the Match" organization. She saved his life and gave him 9 ½ years of precious life.
Tom is survived by his wife Patti; sons Jeff (Becky) and Joe; grandchildren Marco and Cara; brother Sal (Sherrie) and sister Rose Patterson. Tom said, "The best compliment you could give me would be to call me 'Coach'."
Memorial/Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 12pm at the Pittsburg Elks Club, 200 Marina Blvd., Pittsburg