James "Tom" Thomas Black

James T. "Tom" Black, 81, of Fallowfield Twp., died Monday, November 3, 2014 at his home. He was born in Monessen on October 28, 1933, the son of the late John Andrew Black and Thelma Irene Smith. Tom grewup in Monessen and was 1951 graduate of Monessen High School. He retired from the U.S. Airforce in 1971 with 20 years, having served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Following his retirement, he worked at Combustion Engineering, Haney Barge, as circulation manager at The Valley Independent, Pennsylvania Harness Racing Commission at the Meadows Race Track, and as an attendant at Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. He was a member of First Christian Church in Monessen, currently served as first vice president of the Monessen Lions Club, and a member of American Legion Post 22, Charleroi, Life member USAFSS Freedom Through Vigilance Assoc., former member and past Exhalted Ruler of the Monessen Elks Lodge 773 and Charleroi Lodge 494, and was active in many masonic organizations. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Susan J. and David Sill of League City, TX, two grandsons, Matthew Saunders and Ryan McCarty, two brothers, William D. (Othella) Black of Seaford, VA, Charles A. (Nancy) Black of New Kensington, two sisters, Maryjane (Erine) Black of Owings Mills, MD, Martha (Casey) Coulter of Belle Vernon, and by several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife Norma Jean Johnston Black, a sister and brother-in-law Catherine and Jay Babich, and by a nephew Andrew Black. Friends will be received on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm in the Dalfonso-Billick Funeral Home Inc. and Cremation Services, 441 Reed Ave. Monessen. Services will be held on Friday, November 7, 2014 at 10:00 am in the funeral home with his Pastor Conrad Auel officiating Interment with military honors will follow in Grandview Cemetery, Monessen. Condolences accepted for the family at www.dalfonso-billick.com.

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