Thomas Gaeton Cestone, 92, passed away on October 4, 2022, at Arden Courts of Old Orchard, Easton Pennsylvania. Born on February 27, 1930, in Newark, NJ, he was the son of the late Canio and Anna (Casella) Cestone. Thomas (Tom) graduated from Bloomfield High School, NJ, class of 1948, where he was a football standout. He attended St. Louis University on a football scholarship before joining the United States Army. While stationed in Giessen, Germany, he met the love of his life, Mary Rose (Fitzpatrick). After they returned to the States, Tom and Mary were married on August 28, 1954. They celebrated 66 years of marriage before Mary's passing in 2021.

In 1955 Tom earned a degree in accounting from Saint Peter's University, Jersey City, NJ. He began his career as a computer systems analyst with Beneficial Finance Corporation, then worked for Bell Labs for many years and retired from AT&T in 1989.

Tom and Mary lived in Harding Township, NJ, for 36 years before moving to Pinehurst, North Carolina in 1996. While raising a family in New Jersey, they were active parishioners at The Church of Christ the King, New Vernon, NJ, where Tom served as a lector and usher. Tom participated in annual spiritual retreats hosted by the Loyal Jesuit Center (Loyola House of Retreats) in Morristown, NJ. He was deeply moved by his experiences as a volunteer at Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity soup kitchen in Newark, NJ. One of the highlights of Tom's life was meeting the diminutive and humble Mother Teresa at her Newark mission center. At Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pinehurst, Tom served as an usher, eucharistic minister, perpetual adorer, choir member and was a 4 ^th degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council #11103. For many years, Tom and Mary coordinated the parish food donations for the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care. They enjoyed activities, events and trips with Pinehurst Newcomers, Act II and various golf groups.

Along with his enduring devotion to his faith, Tom's lifetime passions included golf, hunting, traveling, music, cooking and WWII history. Remarkably, at the age of 74, Tom earned his private pilot license and took to the skies for yet another new adventure. Back on the ground, he relished his time spent with family and friends. Many memories surround the years of family camping trips when Army tents, tarps and a multitude of camp equipment was hauled in the bright green utility trailer built by Tom. Precious times spent with grandchildren in Pinehurst included Grandpa's golf lessons and coffee. Most of all, Tom is remembered as a true gentleman who made a difference in life with his kindness, concern for others and treasured words of wisdom.

Thomas is survived by his sons, Thomas D. Cestone and wife, Marlene Koik, Daniel C. Cestone and close friend, Nancy Wagner; daughters, Mary C. Bulger and husband, Stephen, Noemi (Mimi) C. Alberu; brother, Richard V. Cestone and wife Patricia; sister, Mary Ann Flaherty; grandchildren, Talia Marie, T. Alexander, Rosemaureen, Marlene-Victoria, and Mary Katherine. Uncle Tommy was also beloved by his six nieces and nephews and five grandnieces/nephews.

Visitation is set for October 19, 2022, from 10:00-11:00 am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Pinehurst, North Carolina.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be at Sacred Heart CC at 11:00 am with the Very Reverend Fr. John J. Forbes, V.F. officiating. Following the Mass, Father Forbes will conduct the Rite of Committal at St. Anthony of Padua Cemetery, Southern Pines, North Carolina. On November 9, 2022, at 11:00 am, a Memorial Mass in honor of Tom and Mary will be celebrated at the Church of Christ the King, New Vernon, New Jersey, with Reverend Fr. Brian Sullivan officiating.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morello Funeral Home, Inc., 3720 Nicholas Street, Easton, PA  and Boles Funeral Home-Pinehurst, 35 Parker Lane, Pinehurst NC. Online condolences may be offered at www.morellofuneralhome.com and www.bolesfuneralhome.com

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Thomas to: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 300 Dundee Rd, Pinehurst, NC 28374, the Church of Christ the King, 16 Blue Mill Road, Morristown, NJ 07960, or the Alzheimer's Association  alz.org