Thomas F. Mello

Thomas F. Mello, Jr., age 65, of Millcreek, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2024, at his residence. He was born on March 21, 1959, the son of Thomas F. Mello, Sr. and Mary Ellen Kunz Osmer.
Tom graduated from Seneca High School in 1978 and attended Edinboro University. He worked at PennDOT for 35 years, and recently retired in 2021 as the Erie County Assistant Manager.
Tom was an avid athlete playing for the Erie Express Football Team, several modified and fast-pitch softball teams including the Shaggy Dog, Yaple's, Carpetown, Erie Hard Chrome, and Ashland often traveling cross country and into Canada for games and tournaments. He coached baseball for Seneca High School and McDowell High School for many years.
Tom loved pheasant hunting with his dogs, deer hunting, and greatly enjoyed fishing on his boat with family and friends. He loved golfing and recently had gotten into pickleball (obsessed actually) and had medaled in several area tournaments.
Tom was preceded in death by his stepfather, Franklin Warren Osmer and his half-brother, Robert Mello.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his daughter, Morgan Mello, of St. Petersburg, FL; his son, Tyler Mello, of Naples, FL; his fiancée, Lorie Panitzke, of Erie, and her children, Jordan and Alex Zielinski, and Vinnie Chalupczynski; his half siblings, Tina Foley (Mike), Tim Mello (Alisha), Denise Agnello, (Mike), Jeff Mello (Malena), and Jeremy Mello (Angela); and his dog, Bailey.
Friends are invited to the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home, Inc. 5000 Wattsburg Rd. Erie, PA 16504, on Thursday from 4 pm to 7 p.m. Burial will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Memorial contributions can be made to Hunt of a Lifetime – www.huntofalifetime.org
Please visit www.SchmidtFuneralHomeErie.com to sign Thomas's Tribute Wall.