Thomas A. Pakela

Thomas A. Pakela, age 82, of Millcreek, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2024, at LECOM Senior Living Center surrounded by his family. Born in Erie on August 9, 1942, a son of the late Anthony and Elizabeth (Betty) (Thornton) Pakela.
Thomas attended St. Patrick's grade school, Cathedral Preparatory High School and received his Bachelor of Accounting degree from Gannon University. As a teenager Tom worked as a stock boy for Farrell's Superette and later met and married Guy and Liz Farrell's daughter, Bonnie, who also worked at the family-owned store. Having over 40 years combined of holding several accounting positions at AMSCO (now Steris) and mentoring several colleagues, Tom developed many long-lasting friendships. Tom is most known as the "Candy Man" and regularly enjoyed showing appreciation for others by passing out candy wherever he would go.
As a young boy and up to a few years ago, he was an avid Lake Erie Perch/Walleye fisherman. His brother Richard (aka Fuzzy) was his fishing sidekick every week since they were young boys. Tom took great pride in providing hundreds of fish for annual fish frys at work and for family and friends over several years. He was a proud member for many years of the S.O.N.S. of Lake Erie. Tom was a kid at heart and enthusiastically collected Hot Wheels, coins, sports cards and memorabilia and Star Wars action figures.
He is preceded in death by his wife of 46 years, Bonnie Farrell Pakela, his parents; brother, Richard (Fuzzy) Pakela; brothers-in-law, Rodney Ross and John Farrell, and sister-in-law, Patricia Pakela.
He is survived by his daughter, Aimee E. Pakela (His Birdee); cousin, Christopher (Karen) Thornton, who was raised like a brother; brother-in-law, Dr. J. Richard Farrell and his wife Darla of Diamond Bar, CA; two sisters-in-law, Melanie Ross of Fairmont, WV and Joanne (Gerry) Butts of Erie and all their children. He is further survived by several close nieces and nephews and their children, cousins, very close friends and many godchildren all very dear to him, especially Shannon E. Butts RN, who took care of him over the years throughout his illness.
Thomas's family would like to thank ALL the LECOM Senior Living Center staff over the last five years. Also, sincere gratitude to all his medical staff, the LECOM Hospice Team and the constant, dedicated family and friends who visited regularly. Tom would like to remind everyone to "Please take a candy to enjoy" and be kind to one another.
Friends may call at the Brugger Funeral Home & Crematory, 1595 West 38th St. on Tuesday from 3:00 to 8:00 PM and are invited to a service there on Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.