Thomas Michael Battalio

Thomas Michael Battalio, age 79, of Country Club Retirement Campus at Dover, died Thursday, April 2, 2009, in Union Hospital at Dover.A son of the late Anthony “Tony” and Mary Rose (Vichone) Battalio, Tom was born on November 9, 1929, at Lisbon, Ohio.He attended Sacred Heart and New Philadelphia Schools; and a period of time later he honorably served his country during the Korean War as a member of the United States Army. Additionally, Tom was a life member of the Carl C. Stoller Post of the New Philadelphia VFW.Tom worked as a truck driver for more than forty-five years at the former Union Camp of Dover. He was an avid Notre Dame and Detroit Tigers Fan. Locally, he followed the sporting activities of the Central Catholic Saints and the New Philadelphia Quakers. As a fast pitch softball pitcher, Tom excelled as a member of the New Philadelphia Merchants. One of his most memorable accomplishments occurred when he and the Merchants gained victory over Eddie Feigner, “The King and His Court”, in New Philadelphia’s Quaker Stadium. Tom is survived by a brother, Albert C. Battalio of New Philadelphia; six sisters, Josephine Batcha of Boca Raton, Florida, Rose Chini of Dennison, Phyllis (Don) Garner of New Philadlephia, Angie (Frank) Festi of Dover, Lena Callahan of Salem, Ohio, and Mary Marinelli of New Philadelphia.Tom was especially close to a nephew Albert John Battalio and numerous nieces and nephews complete the family.In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by three brothers, Tony Battalio, Alfred Battalio, and Tom’s twin brother, John Battalio; a sister, Helen Smith; and five brothers-in-law, John Batcha, Frank Chini, Clarence Callahan, Louis Marinelli, and Robert “Whitey” Smith.A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor George J. Schlegel on Monday, April 6, 2009, at 1:30 PM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church at New Philadelphia. Inurnment at a later date will follow in the Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following Mass, the family would like to invite guests to share in a time of food and fellowship in St. Ambrose Hall, adjacent to the church.Those wishing to honor Tom’s memory may send memorial contributions in his name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.