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Thomas M. Foglietta

FUNERAL HOME

Monti-Rago Funeral Home, Inc.

2531-35 South Broad Street

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Thomas Foglietta Obituary

FOGLIETTA
HON. THOMAS M., Nov. 13, 2004, former United State Ambassador to Italy. Beloved son of the late Hon. Michael and Rose Foglietta; brother of the late Angelo, Bertha Brunetti, Theodore and Margaret Foglietta; survived by his sister-in-law Lorraine Foglietta and his many nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to his VIEWING FRIDAY EVENING after 7 P.M. at THE MONTI-RAGO FUNERAL HOME INC., 2533-35 S. Broad St. and to his VIEWING SATURDAY 9 A.M. at The Church of St. Malachy, 1429 N. 11th St. (11th and Master Sts.), followed by his Funeral Mass at 11 A.M. Int. Holy Cross Cem. In lieu of flowers, family requests contributions be made to Friends of Foglietta Plaza, 730 Fitzwater St., Phila., PA 19147.

(arr. by VERNA FUNERAL HOME)

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Philadelphia Inquirer/Philadelphia Daily News from Nov. 15 to Nov. 17, 2004.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Foglietta

16 Entries

Toni Fratto

January 8, 2023

You were always a wonderful man.

Deborah Richardson

November 20, 2004

My deepest sympathy goes out to the Foglietta family. I did not know Mr. Foglietta personally, but I heard many great things about him. He was good to people that I do know. God Bless!

Marcella Pilla Pettorossi

November 19, 2004

TOMMYY, A neighbor, BESTEST uncle of a childhood friend & my personal PHILADELPHA MAYOR. Thank you for being Mr. Philadelphia with CLASS.

Your memory will live on. You were the shinning star of the neighborhood and will be missed. Thank you for everything. SIMPLY THE BEST! Marcella Pilla

Allen King,Jr.

November 19, 2004

My deepest sympathies to the Foglietta Family on the lost of great man and friend

Carole Zimmer

November 19, 2004

My deepest sympathies to the Foglietta family on the loss of a great man. I grew up in his neighborhood and he always helped people, he was a wonderful person who loved his niece Thea and nephew Theo. I am sure he loved all his family very much and he will be missed by them. He will always be in your hearts. Now he has his wings, rest in peace Tommy!

Mary Mammarella

November 17, 2004

My heartfelt condolences to Tom's family. Tom and my father, Tony Mammarella, were great friends for many years--from thier days at St. Joe's until my father's death in 1977--and connected like so many others to Tom through the coincidences of Italian immigration when both the Foglietta's and the Palmers (di Palma's then) settled on Clymer Street. My first "real" job as a kid of fifteen was to report to Tom's City Council office every day during the summer to help put all of his photographs and newspaper clippings in an album--important work! I will never forget that summer, or how tall and lean and handsome Tom was. It was also a great pleasure, and a rare one, to be represented in Congress by not only someone you knew, but someone with such integrity, and with a talent for practicing politics with such grace and good humor. No matter where or when I ran into Tom, I was always greeted with a warm smile, a bear hug and questions about my family. The last time I saw Tom was at my mother's viewing--he was happy, smiling, working the crowd, acknowledging the attention, but really just a friend among us. There will never be another like him. He will be sadly missed by the great and humble alike.

Roberta Ginsburg

November 17, 2004

Dear Family, Friends, Acquaintances,Constituents, and Interested Persons,

Tom and I were good friends. I was a volunteer during his run for mayor against Frank Rizzo, and then again our friendship renewed when he returned from Italy to transition into a new phase of his career. We spent a lot of time together and talked mostly about our feelings and our fears. We also talked about medical issues since I had a background in that, and he had an interest in medical issues. He seemed to be able to relax when I would talk up a storm about my many activities and stories of the day.

He took me to dinner and to hear our beloved Philadelphia Orchestra at the Kimmel Center. Tom adored going to hear the orchestra. We also went to the movies together. When we showed up at the International House to see a Cuban policitical film, the Executive Director made a grand announcement and a big public fuss about Ambassador Thomas Foglietta being there.

Tom talked frequently about his dog, Il Professore, whom he brought back from Italy and placed with friends who had romping grounds for his buddy, The Professor. He visited his dog regularly and gleefully.

One thing that interested me about Tom was that when we were out dining, if he saw a young child, he would always stop to acknowledge that child and even to make playful gestures and teasing facial expressions to engage the child.

He had a robust apetite and enjoyed eating a wide variety of foods and frequented the same group of restaurants where he was known/or knew the chef or owner.

He loved the Jersey Shore and talked about wanting to buy a property there.

He also talked often about his friends and was devastated when his friend, Ron, died.

I was happy to be a part of Tom's life and hope I brought his some joy and comfort as he stepped into new frontiers of life. I wish I knew his family better as he often mentioned them and his many friends in our conversations.

It was an honor to have known Tom and to have been his friend. I shall miss him and shall cherish my memories.

With sadness,

steve Ricci

November 17, 2004

Deepest Condolences from the Ricci Family. My mother (Theresa Biello Ricci). Would tell me how she use to play ball in the street with Tommy when they were kids. Maybe they can pick up the game now.

With Sympathy,

Steve Ricci

Amanda Ivory

November 16, 2004

My sincerest condolences to the entire Foglietta family. I was very fortunate to work with Tom in his Congressional Office from 1984 through 1989 as a Staff Assistant/Caseworker. I remember walking down that long hall of the Federal Building on my first day and was awestruck that I was walking into "Gods Office" all I could think was , "wow, me, working for a Congresssman". It was overwhelming. As I walked into the office proper and began to meet all the staff who became dear friends and met Tom for the first time, he made me feel so comfortable, I felt so welcome, so much a part of the team. He let me know just by his demeanor and his down to earth friendliness that he too put "his pants on one leg at a time" as the saying goes, he was not full of himself or haughty in anyway, he was always himself, a friend to all he embraced. My time working for Tom and with Tom and with the staff at that time was such a pivotal time in my life, Tom made a difference in my life and I am a better person today for Tom being in my life. He was an excellent boss, a true friend, there was an issue some may remember as "Jeanniegate", Tom stood by me completely as he knew I would never do anything to embarass or hurt him in anyway. Even though his position and stature in life was beyond what most may achieve, Tom achieved it with dignity and pride and always was the consumate gentleman and friend and just connected to his roots. I will always remember the days in the office as we assisted his constituency with a wide variety of issues I will remember the fun we had, the friendship and the support that was so integral in working with Tom. I will miss him dearly and always treasure him for the man and the friend he was.

With Love

Amanda Ivory aka Jeannie McElhenny

THOMAS KEVIN WHITE

November 16, 2004

on behalf of the white and the holt famly we like to express our deepest sympathy for your lost

tom was a great man who knew my father judge thomas a white and knew tom holt sr

he is up in heaven right now with my father looking over phila may god bless his famly

thomas kevin white

Robert & Mary Lou St. Louis

November 16, 2004

Tom was a wonderful friend to our family for many years. We treasure the memories of getting together in Washington but particularly our trip to Rome where we joined Tom at the Villa Taverna. It was definitely the highlight of the year for us and a couple close friends he allowed us to bring. Tom made us feel like part of his family. We still feel that way and this makes his passing all the more poignant. We will miss you Tom. May God hold you close and thank you again for the memories. Love, Mary Lou and Bob

Rita Melillo

November 15, 2004

To the Foglietta Family, my deepest sympathy. Tom Foglietta did so much for South Philly. I can remember him walking along Passyunk Avenue with a large smile on his face and always a hearty hello. He was a wonderful person.

Bruce Marro

November 15, 2004

A gentleman of the highest order who positively affected so many in Korea, Czech Republic, Italy, Washington, and, of course, his native Philadelphia. One of the few genuine "good guys" in American politics. He opened up his residence in Rome to me and friends in '98, and served as an example of how put people at ease and never lose sight of your roots. God Bless you Tom! I am a better person for having had the pleasure of working with you during your transition from Congressman to Ambassador. Thank you for everything (especially for introducing me to that wonderful kitchen in Philadelphia called Shank & Evelyn's)!!!

Pauline FitzPatrick

November 15, 2004

My thoughts and prayers are with Tom's family during these difficult days.

Marie

November 15, 2004

To the Foglietta Family, We are so sorry for your loss. Mr Foglietta did so much to help our South Philly Community.He was a wonderful man and very helpful to our family. Rest in peace Marie

Patti Marincola

November 15, 2004

My deepest condolences for your loss.

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