Thomas E. Assalone

FUNERAL HOME

Bring's Broadway Chapel - Tucson

6910 East Broadway Boulevard

Tucson, Arizona

Thomas Assalone Obituary

Colonel Thomas E. Assalone 11/19/1931 - 5/23/2010 Survived by his childhood sweetheart and wife of 55 years, Anne. Tom passed peacefully in his sleep, after a long hard fight, to be with our Lord on the morning of the 23rd of May, 2010. He is reunited at last with his beautiful daughter, Madeline; his parents and his brothers and sisters. As a young boy watching LaGuardia Airport being built, he dreamed of becoming a flyboy. The youngest of nine children, of Italian immigrants, it was assumed by many to be an impossible dream. At 19 he joined the Air Force. Twenty-six years later he retired from the USAF as a fullbird Colonel, jet fighter pilot and decorated combat veteran, with three Distinguished Flying Crosses, Bronze Star for Valor and a Purple Heart recipient. Tom is survived by Anne; Madeline's spouse, David and their son, Ensign Rory Yoder; his son, Lt. Colonel John D. Assalone (Laurie) their children, Melissa, Nicholas and Brian; his son, Thomas A. Assalone and his daughter, Ellen (Larry-in heaven) and their children, Lauren Baldwin (Tim), beautiful nine year old Caitlin, Emily Jackson (Dean), Matthew George (Allison) and Timothy George; his sisters, Elsie and Margaret and his brother, Joe. "Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, and danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed; Put out my hand and touched the face of God." We love you DAD. Visitation 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Thursday, May 27, 2010 at BRING'S BROADWAY CHAPEL, 6910 E. Broadway, with the Funeral Service beginning at noon. Military honors provided by Davis Monthan Base Honor Guard.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Arizona Daily Star from May 25 to May 26, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Assalone

12 Entries

Carl Pio Parlatore

May 19, 2025

This is a Picture of Col Assalone next to the jet we were flying when we got shot down on 3 Sep 68 - Rest in Peace Tom!

Ronnie(Herbert) Hampton

May 17, 2011

Tom, I remember the days in East Elmhurst with Charle Rosbeck and Otto Geiger, when we all joined the service and when you called saying you were leaving A&E school for flight training and did I want to go. Have missed you over the past 40 years and am sad to hear of your passing, you were always my hero.

Col Carl Pio Parlatore, USAF Ret

January 31, 2011

I knew the Col when we were at Cam Rhan Bay AB,RVN, together in 1968 flying F-4s. On Sep 3 68 I was sitting 3 feet behind him when we got shot down. Farewell my fellow warrior - May the Dear Lord Bless and keep you.

Joe Assalone

November 20, 2010

Tommy u was always my hero..gonna miss you always...see ya later
your big brother...Joe just an ex.vet only a staff sgt,,,

Joe Assalone

November 20, 2010

Tommy u was always my hero..gonna miss you always...see ya late..
your big brother...Joe just an ex.vet only a staff sgt,,,

Pete DeSanctis

June 5, 2010

Uncle Tom,
I just want to let you know how highly I always thought of you. You were my insperation in joining the Air Force in 1982. As a young boy my father took me to see you at Wright Pat and you were doing touch and go's in your F4. When you came climbling out of the cock pit you were the coolest!
Thanks for teaching me about roses and letting me help you in the rose garden, those were rough times for me and you were there for me. I will always treasure our time together.(F=MA)! You are a big part of who I am and will always be in my heart.
Thanks Uncle Tom,
I love you,
Pete

ASMBA

June 1, 2010

The Boards, management, staff and the entire membership of the Armed Services Mutual Benefit Association express our sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Col. Assalone. We are forever grateful for his service to our country.

Peter Lamoureux

May 29, 2010

I'm praying for your family Colonel, God's speed and thank you for your service to our great nation. My flag will fly in your honor this Memorial Day May, 2010.

Peter Lamoureux
Tampa, Fl.

Dawn Gregory

May 26, 2010

What an awesome tribute to Tom Assalone, from the words you can tell he loved and was loved. May the Lord comfort you all. Note: Friend of D Donald Assalone.

JOHN R ASSALONE

May 26, 2010

UNCLE TOMMY, YOU WERE THE COOLEST OF THE COOL. WISHING YOU ONLY CLEAR SKY'S AHEAD AND A GREAT ADVENTURE AND ONLY THE BEST FOR THOSE STILL ON THE GROUND,. JOHNNY JR. AS WOULD WOULD SAY. JOHN R. ASSALONE, RHODE ISLAND

May 25, 2010

Tom:
I am very sorry to learn of your loss. I still have fond memories of meeting your family & spending time with them several years ago.
I extend my deepest sympathies to you & your family.
Lee Weiss

May 25, 2010

Uncle Tom, you will forever be in our minds and in our hearts. Please give my Dad, Nick - your brother-in-law and best friend in life, a BIG hug for me. With lots of love, your nephew, Greg DeSanctis.

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results