Thomas Charles McErlain Service Information

Thomas C. McErlain, 81, of Holland, PA, was born in Philadelphia, PA to Irish immigrants, Patrick and Anna.  In life, he went by many names: Tom, Reds, Jack, Dad, Pop, Uncle Tommy, and Pop-Pop.  He graduated from Roman Catholic High School and attended Temple University. 

Tom was gregarious, outgoing, and always very proud of his Irish heritage.  He was a real story teller and made his presence known wherever he went.  Tom loved the simple things in life: sports, beer, good friends, and of course, his family.  He loved watching Notre Dame and “Iggles” football games.  He could quickly solve math equations, but couldn’t tell you how to solve them.  He loved to be entertaining and had the distinction of having the most “useless knowledge.”  He loved going to Wawa - named for the noise geese make (Tom’s trivia) - and going to the dollar store.  

On Saturday mornings when the grandchildren would stay over, he would take them to the dollar store to get a “grab bag” and other goodies.  He always had something in his desk drawer to give his grandchildren.  He enjoyed scratching off lotto tickets and playing the daily number.  Every night before bed, he listened to his late-night talk radio: “Coast to Coast” and “Truckin’ Bozo.”  Tom’s political advice was always: “vote out all the incumbents and say no to all the questions.”  He was rarely seen without a beer in his hand and cracking a joke.  Sometimes, he would tell the joke so fast you could miss it if you weren’t paying attention. 

Tom died peacefully on Good Friday, April 2, 2021.  Tom will be greatly missed by his wife, Dee; their three daughters, Denise, Renee Braun (Kurt), and Suzanne Vrana (Jen); and his grandchildren Erin, Thomas Joseph (TJ), Allison, and Adriana; his sister-in-law, Gloria Anderson (Tom); and his many nieces and nephews.  In heaven, Tom now joins his brothers Patrick and John; his sisters Kathleen, Margaret, and Mary; and his many friends. 

Relatives and friends are invited to Tom's Funeral Mass on Friday, April 9, 2021 at 11:00am, at St. Bede the Venerable Church, 1071 Holland Road in Holland, PA 18966. His interment will take place privately.

Have a beer on Tom.

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