Thomas Frederick Donchez

Tom Donchez, of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania passed away on August 28th, 2024, surrounded by the love of his wife and sons. Born March 10th, 1952, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania to the late Helen Donchez.

Tom graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem and went on to play collegiate football at Penn State for his mentor Joe Paterno. It was at Penn State where Tom met the love of his life in his wife of nearly 50 years, Sheela. After a short career in the NFL ended by injuries, Tom and Sheela moved back to Bethlehem to be close to his mom and continue to build their lives together. Tom began what became a long and successful 35-year professional career at Air Products in Allentown, PA. He received his MBA from Lehigh.

Tom's greatest joy in life was his family and his favorite job was being a Dad and Grandpa. He shined in ordinary moments, and always had a story, song, or game up his sleeve. He loved the simplicity of being together, and enjoyed making what many would think of as mundane an adventure we'd laugh about for years. His family will cherish their memories of his humor, effortless compassion, curiosity, and fierce loyalty to doing right by his family and his friends. He will be remembered for his warmth toward all, his sense of humanity, and his uncanny ability to connect with anyone he met.

He will also be remembered for his contributions as a founding member of the Penn State Football Letterman's club, which for 40 years has brought together generations of families in continuance of the Penn State Legacy and the Grand Experiment. He served the Bethlehem Catholic High School community on the Board of Trustees, served on the Bethlehem Authority and was active in St Anne's Parish.

Tom is the beloved husband of Sheela Donchez (nee McPhillips). Loving father of Andrew (Julie Spata), Peter (Julie Jacobi), and Michael (Lauren Edger) and proudest Grandpa to Madeleine, Will, Grace, Claire, Emilia, Lucille, Miles, and grandchild #8 due in October. He is survived by his sister Beverly Bradley (Dan) and brothers Dennis and Ron.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Tom's life on September 5th at Connell Funeral Home at 245 East Broad Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Visitation will be from 5pm to 8pm. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on September 6th at 10:30am (with his family's words of remembrance beginning at 10:15) at St. Anne's Church, 450 E Washington Avenue, Bethlehem, PA 18017.

In lieu of flowers and in keeping with Tom's passionate love of family, friends, and community, and the fact that he "grew up there", donations in his name can be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Bethlehem at bgcob.org and https://givebutter.com/donateBGCOB.