Thomas T. Venditti

Thomas Theolbold Venditti, 82, of Ephrata, passed away on November 19, 2024, in Lancaster. He was survived by his wife, Joan Venditti, with whom he celebrated their 50th anniversary in October.

Born on April 13, 1942, in Manhattan, New York City, he was son of the late Americo and Alba (Boldizzoni) Venditti.

Thomas attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and graduated from the Rhodes

School in Manhattan. He completed his Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics from the Parks College of Engineering, Aviation and Technology of Saint Louis University. He then attended graduate school at the University of Arizona and obtained his first pilot's license at the University of Illinois.

Thomas began his early career as a flight and ground school instructor at Teterboro School of

Aeronautics in New Jersey. He also taught adult flight classes within the Jersey City Public School system and televised ground school classes on Public Access Television in New York City during the 1970s.

Thomas moved to the Reading and Lancaster areas, where became a pilot for Suburban Airlines, based out of Lancaster Airport. He then flew for People Express Airlines as a commercial airline pilot until their merger with Continental Airlines. Thomas worked as a pilot for Continental Airlines, based in Newark International Airport, piloting 727s, 737s, and DC-IOs until his retirement.

Following his retirement from the airline industry, he worked both on the lanes and as a driver for the Manheim Auto Auction.

In addition to his wife of 50 years, Joan (Harington) Venditti, he is survived by his children, Thomas C. Venditti, and Susan (Venditti) Giarro, as well as his son-in-law, Christopher Giarro, and grandson, Daniel Giarro.

A Viewing will be held on Fri., Nov. 22nd from 6 to 8 p.m. at Gravenor Sipler Funeral & Cremation Centre, Inc., 100 W. Main St., Ephrata. The Funeral Mass will be on Sat., Nov. 23rd at 11 a.m. in OMPH Catholic Church, 320 Church Ave., Ephrata. Interment will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Ephrata.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Our Mother of Perpetual Help School in Ephrata at www.omphschool.com/donate.