Thomas Anthony Shirilla's Obituary
Thomas Anthony Shirilla, a.k.a. Big Stache, passed away on Friday, June 13th, 2025, at the age of 68.
Tom was born May 18th, 1957, in Youngstown, Ohio. He graduated from Normandy High School in 1975 alongside his future wife, Mindy. He continued his education at Bowling Green State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in visual communications in 1979. Tom went on to work as a photographer, videographer, DJ, and salesman for over 40 years. On August 6, 1983, Tom married Mindy (née Cron), the love of his life. Their 42-year marriage yielded two mostly perfect children, a beautiful home in Strongsville, dozens of beach vacations, and many years of subscriptions to the Cleveland Playhouse.
Big Stache loved music, theatre, books, Italian food, jokes, Sketchers Shape-Ups, shooting photos and video, dancing, his family, and, against his better judgement, the Cleveland Browns. He lived for throwing parties, cooking pasta and fried fish on holidays, becoming a secondary father figure to the friends of his children, and hosting karaoke jam sessions that occasionally drew unwanted attention from the police. On the other hand, Stache hated winter, needles, and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Those things can kick rocks.
Tom is preceded in death by his father, Richard Shirilla, and his mother, Jeanne Shirilla (née DeAscentis). He is survived by his wife Mindy, his daughter Kristin (Mason Criswell), his son Mack, his brother Rich (Sue), his brother John (Ann), his sister Susan (Bob Lindsey), and a slew of wonderful cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends—all of whom agree that the world is a much more boring place without him.
Family, friends, and others are invited to Tom’s wake at Jardine Funeral Home on Thursday, June 19th, from 3-8pm. His memorial service will be held at the same location on Friday, June 20th, at 10am. We will honor Tom’s memory by sharing stories, holding each other close, and listening to his favorite tunes.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tom’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and/or The Salvation Army.
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