Thomas Panunto Obituary

Thomas William Panunto, PhD
Thomas William Panunto, PhD, 54, of Emmaus, died on Thursday, July 18, 2013, surrounded by his family, in his home. He was the husband of Mary Margaret Mitzy Cullen. The couple would have celebrated 28 years of marriage on September 7. Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of Virginia (Graham) Panunto of Philadelphia and the late William J. Panunto. Tom earned his Doctorate from the University of Minnesota, received his masters degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and graduated from Drexel University. He and his wife were the co-owners of Saladworks in Broomall PA. Previously, he was employed by Air Products and Chemicals in Trexlertown for 22 years until 2009. Tom loved dogs, enjoyed baseball, gardening, and Japan. One of his favorite experiences was trimming trees at the Imperial Palace in Japan. Survivors: Wife; mother; children, Antonio T. Panunto of Philadelphia, Francesca T. Panunto of Honolulu, HI, Dominic T. Panunto, and Bianca T. Z Panunto, both of Emmaus; siblings, Susan Bush, Robert Panunto, Michael Panunto, and Christine Whittall. Services: Memorial, 6 p.m., Friday, Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith Funeral Home, 225 Elm Street, Emmaus. A visitation will be held from 5 to 6 p.m., Friday in the funeral home. A picnic will follow the service at the family home. E-mail [email protected] the number who plan to attend the picnic. Bring your glove and have a catch! Contributions: In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Lehigh County Humane Society, 640 Dixon Street, Allentown, PA 18103 or the Major League Baseball RBI program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities).

Published by Morning Call on Jul. 21, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
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Tom was (and is) a best friend of mine.
While he was in Asia working for Air Products, he was very proud of opening two lab in China and Japan.
He was not only intelligent, but also a very business driven person (unique from typical scientists), and not good at politics at all.
He will be really missed.

August 19, 2013

Tom was (and is) a best friend of mine.
While he was in Asia working for Air Products, he was very proud of opening two lab in China and Japan.
He was not only intelligent, but also a very business driven person (unique from typical scientists), and not good at politics at all.
He will be really missed.

August 19, 2013

Deep condolence from Japan.
Sent an email to the email account of [email protected] and hope you can find it.

August 13, 2013

So sorry to hear of Tom's passing. May you find peace and comfort at this difficult time. Our deepest sympathy,
Carlene and Brooke

Carlene Brumbach

August 11, 2013

Mitzy and Bianca, We were so sorry to hear of your husband and father's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and family.

Cheryl and Kelsey Grube

August 2, 2013

Dear Mitzy, I was shocked to hear the sad news! Way too young to pass away. I will fondly remember the good times I had with Tom at work but more so outside work. I enjoyed raising the barn in your yard many years ago. I wish you and the kids strength to cope with this loss. Tom's grin will be missed. Huub Kleintjes [email protected]

Huub Kleintjes

July 29, 2013

Dear Mitzy,
Want to express our condolence and prayers from friends and colleagues at the Air Products' Hong Kong office. We all shared great memories together. The junk boat trips and beach BBQ, etc...Thinking of Tom and his big smile.

Sen Chen

July 27, 2013

Our deepest sympathies.....hugs and prayers to all of you.

Kathy, Jamie, Wes & Tim Kline

July 26, 2013

I am very sad to hear Tom's passing. Tom was a great colleague at Air Products. We talked about work, family, gardening, and travel. Tom often told me how his 4 children were so different and all smart, and how much he enjoyed the Japanese gardens. He will be missesd.

July 26, 2013

Thomas Keifrider

July 26, 2013

Thomas Keifrider

July 26, 2013

Thomas Keifrider

July 26, 2013

Thomas Keifrider

July 26, 2013

Thomas Keifrider

July 26, 2013

Thomas Keifrider

July 26, 2013

Thomas Keifrider

July 26, 2013

Tom was a wonderful childhood friend. He was always ready for any activity, a game of touch foot ball, baseball and stickball at the corner garage or a bicycle ride to New Hope, Pennsylvania. My memories of Tom are fond and I am deeply saddened that he is no longer with us. I will keep him in my prayers and memory as a great friend.

Thomas Keifrider

Thomas Keifrider

July 26, 2013

DEAR BOB AND FAMILY our deepest sympathy over the loss of your brother.
ED & LEONA MASSARA

July 24, 2013

Very sorry to hear about his passing. I first met Tom when we were both Evening Bulleting paperboys ~1973. Over the years I got to know the whole family, particularly Bob, my good friend. My thoughts and prayers will be with all of the Panunto family during this difficult time.

Ed Massara

July 24, 2013

Mitzy, I was very sorry to read about Tom's passing. My condolences to you and your family.

Cindy Ernst

July 23, 2013

A big brother that will always be remembered and missed. As the little sister of the family, one always looks up to her big brothers and is amazed at how smart, and knowledgeable they are about the world. I'll always remember the times down at Strathmere, and the great times we had as kids. You were a great older brother and you will always be.

Christine Whittall

July 23, 2013

Dear Bob and Trish and your family,

We offer you our sincere condolences on the loss of Tom. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most sad time.

Terry and Susan

Terry and Susan Gibbs

July 23, 2013

I was very surprised hearing about this loss. I remember Tom as a great colleague that always tried to get the best for the company while emphasizing the requirement for a different approach while internationalizing the business within Air Products. Tom will always stay in my memory as a person that was absolutely fantastic to be working with. Kruno

July 23, 2013

I am sorry to hear the loss. Still remember the time when Tom & the family were in Hong Kong. He will be missed.

July 22, 2013

Sorry for your loss. I was a business colleague of Tom's. His passion for getting technical ideas translated to tangible things we could get into the hands of the customer is what I most remember him for. Best regards, Karen

July 22, 2013

I am very sorry for your loss, Tom was a very friendly, engaging colleague of mine when we were at Air Products Electronics group. We shared an enjoyment of Japan and Japanese foods, culture etc.
Deepest regrets,
Dave Roberts

July 22, 2013

Mitzi and family: my sincere condolences and prayers go out to all of you. I hope you know your family & friends will be with you during this difficult time. Sincerely,
Barb Bottitta

July 22, 2013

I was so sorry to hear of this untimely loss. I was a colleague of Tom's at Air Products and after he left AP, I often saw him at band concerts at Emmaus High School where he was very proud of his young musicians. He was such a knowledgeable and insightful person and one of the people that love to create and build. He will be missed.

July 22, 2013

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