Thomas L. Doolin

Thomas Leo Doolin, 86, passed away peacefully at home on March 18, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Tom-known to many as "Biff"-was born in Bradford, Pennsylvania, to the late Evelyn Amann Doolin Applebee and Paul Doolin. After losing his father at just two years old, he was raised by his mom, his Uncle Leo and Aunt Dee Dee Doolan- who made sure he was well-loved, a little spoiled, and grounded in the importance of family and hard work.

He graduated from Cathedral Prep and Gannon University, earning his business degree in 1961 on an Army scholarship. He served at Fort Sill as a First Lieutenant before beginning what would become a long and successful career in banking.

In 1964, he married Mary Alice Zimmerman-his classmate from Saint Mary's Grade School-and together they built a life centered on family, faith, and community. They recently celebrated 61 years of marriage. They raised three children, Erin, Michael, and Kevin, who passed away at the age of two.

Tom spent 37 years in banking, starting at the Federal Reserve Bank in Cleveland and continuing in Erie at Marine Bank. He became President and CEO of Pennbank and later Vice Chairman of National City Bank, Pennsylvania. He loved the people just as much as the work-mentoring young bankers, helping entrepreneurs start their businesses, and forming friendships that lasted a lifetime. Even in retirement, Tom never slowed down. He continued his entrepreneurial spirit by co-founding Wagner-Doolin Acquisition Group/New Age Business Solutions with his dear friend Bob Wagner and Bayview Office Park with friends Herb Sweny and Jim Spiegel.

At heart, Tom was a big kid. His grandchildren became his favorite play mates, and he loved piling them into his old Jeep for days on the lake-boat ing, tubing, and laughing the whole way. He celebrated his 70th birthday at Disney World riding "It's a Small World" with them. He loved playing golf-proud of a memorable hole-in-one-and enjoyed card games with friends at Calimari's, breakfast with the "Buds", playing Grandpa Golf with Emily, Julia, and Don Fessler, Sr., biking the Peninsula with his daughter Erin, attending basketball games with his son Michael, traveling to Hilton Head and making puzzles with Mary Alice, stopping for Sara's orange cones or chocolate milkshakes, and walking his best buddy, Freddie.

More than anything, Tom will be remembered for how he lived. He was a true "glass half full" person-genuinely positive, quick with a smile, and someone who made people feel good just being around him. He cherished his family and friends.

He was a longtime member and past president of the Kahkwa Club, past president of the Erie Club, and a member of Lake Shore Country Club and Sea Pines Country Club in Hilton Head.

Tom cared deeply about his community and was involved in many meaning ful projects and organizations. He played a key role in the City's Bicentennial Commission to build the Bicentennial Tower on the Bayfront, the Warner Theatre restoration, and the Bayfront Convention Center.

He also served on numerous boards, including ERIEBANK, the Conven tion Center Authority, Gannon University, and the Saint Vincent Board of Corporators. He served The Erie Community Foundation, the Cathedral Prep Advisory Board, the Greater Erie Industrial Development Corporation, the Economic Development Corporation of Erie, the Erie Conference, the Warner Theatre Preservation Committee, the Erie County Convention Center Authority, Stairways Behavioral Health, and the Presque Isle Partnership. He was a member of Saint Jude Church and served on its Diocesan Investment Committee, and was currently a member of Saint Patrick's Church.

Tom and Mary Alice were deeply committed to their faith and community. Together, they received The Erie Community Foundation's Edward C. Doll Community Service Award and the Archbishop Gannon Medal of Distinction, and were named Knight and Lady of St. Gregory the Great by Pope John Paul II. Tom also received Gannon University's SBDC President's Award.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Erin Doolin Fessler (Don Jr.); his son, Michael Doolin (Trish Bates); and his granddaughters, Emily Fessler Suchanec (Matt), Julia Fessler, and Keira Doolin, his sisters in-law, Helen Zimmerman, Shirley Zimmerman and Susan Clement, along with many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Manchester Commons and Hospice for their kindness and compassion.

Friends may call at Brugger Funeral Homes & Crematory, 1595 West 38th Street, on Monday from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. and are invited there on Tuesday at 11:15 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at Saint Patrick Church at noon. Entombment will follow at Calvary Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the family's donor-advised fund at The Erie Community Foundation, 459 West 6th St., Erie, PA 16507 so that Tom's spirit of generosity can continue on live on forever.