Thomas R. McCartney

1948 - 2025

Thomas R. "Tom" McCartney Jr., 76, of Latrobe, passed away Saturday, June 28, 2025, at his home. The man, the myth, the legend, has ridden off into the sunset. He was born on Aug. 17, 1948, in Westmoreland Hospital, Greensburg, a son of the late Thomas R. McCartney Sr. and Alda L. (Filoconio) McCartney. Prior to his retirement in 2003, Tom was an engineer and employed by the Elliott Company in Jeannette. Known as "The Duke," he was an engineer by trade but a cowboy at heart. He didn't have to rope and ride to impress Ms. Geraldine Hunter, though. Tom and Geri married on July 3, 1982. In the early days, they enjoyed golfing, watching John Wayne films, and home improvement tasks. They had their son, Thomas A. McCartney, in May 1987. Tom then started to do "dad" things, like trips to Disney, the ballet, and Broadway. He did manage to golf, and he taught his son all of the tricks. He also taught his son and nephews, "Don't make this harder than it has to be." He became a proud, dedicated grandpap to Hailey in September of 2010. His hobbies changed he was schooled on the intricacies of an iPad and watched Disney princess movies repeatedly. He then welcomed his daughter-in-law Laura and his granddaughter Riley in May of 2016. Riley had tried, along with Hailey, to teach Grandpap all the intricacies of My Little Pony and Minecraft. In 2019 he welcomed his grandson Thomas-James, with whom he enjoyed watching YouTube videos and answering math questions. In 2021, his granddaughter Ruby Jean was born. He enjoyed playing Crybaby dolls and watching Baby Shark on repeat. He made sure to teach his grandchildren, "I may not always be right, but I'm never wrong." When not spending time with his children and grandchildren, he enjoyed spending time with his family. He often enjoyed getting together with his sister Deborah and brother-in-law Michael Salvatore; nephews Joey (Jess) and Michael Lee (Kristee) of Jeannette; his brother Larry and sister-in-law Cindy McCartney; and nephews Larry Jr. and Justin (Laura) of Dayton, OH, as often as he could. He was preceded in death by his mother, Alda L., and father, Thomas R., and the absolute love of his life, his wife, Geri. He is survived by his son, Thomas Arthur McCartney and his wife, Laura Ann; grandchildren Hailey, Riley, Thomas-James, and Ruby-Jean; his sister, Deborah Salvatore (the late Michael); his brother, Larry McCartney (Cindy); and his nephews, Joey Salvatore (Jess), Michael Lee Salvatore (Kristee), Larry McCartney Jr., and Justin McCartney (Laura). Friends will be received Thursday, July 3, 2025, from 10 a.m. to noon in HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe. A life celebration service will be held immediately following visitation at noon in the funeral home chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the Parkinson's Foundation at www.parkinson.org. To post an online condolence, please visit www.hartman-grazianofuneralhome.com