STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Thomas “Tommy” Lanza, a instructor on the Richard H. Hungerford College in Clifton, handed away on Sunday at dwelling. The West Brighton resident was 41.
Lanza got here to Hungerford in 2009. He taught college students in a program dubbed “Undertaking Search” at Staten Island College Hospital. That progressive program supplied by the Division of Training collectively with AHRC, an company that serves folks with disabilities, prepares the college’s seniors for careers. He organized for them to do rotations in several departments to be taught on-the-job and social abilities. A number of graduates in this system have been employed as common employees by the hospital after commencement, stated Hungerford colleague and West Brighton neighbor Kathleen Boyer.
“He lived for his household and his college students. Many, many individuals liked him and can miss him,” stated Boyer.
Principal Kristin McHugh stated, “From the start, he was devoted to the scholars, and he was a gifted instructor. Tommy was at all times probably the most constructive particular person within the room, at all times smiling, at all times going the additional mile for his college students.”
McHugh stated the kids gravitated in direction of him.
“He liked them and so they liked him in return,” stated McHugh. “Over the past day, the college has been receiving quite a few calls and emails from former college students and households desirous to pay their respects — a real testomony to the nice man Tommy was.”
Tommy Lanza of West Brighton with daughter, Anita, on trip. Lanza loved planning the household journeys. (Courtesy of the Lanza household)
She added, “Each employees member is aware of how devoted Tommy was to his spouse and kids, and the way a lot he liked them. His eyes at all times lit up when talking of his household and he liked spending time with them. It was really superb how one particular person can have such a huge effect on so many individuals. This can be a super loss to our faculty and Tommy will eternally be in our hearts.”
Certainly, Lanza was a faithful father of his two youngsters, Thomas, 7, and Anita, 5. A Curtis graduate and Brooklyn native, he met his spouse, Nicole, on the School of Staten Island. The couple continued their coursework at Touro School the place they each earned Masters in Particular Training.
Tommy Lanza with son Thomas on a seaside trip. (Courtesy of the Lanza household)
“He labored with older youngsters and I work with preschoolers,” stated Nicole.
“He liked cooking, liked entertaining. We had fixed visitors, folks popping in. He knew what all people’s favourite drink, everybody’s favourite meal. He liked internet hosting,” stated Nicole. She known as him a jack-of-all-trades — a bartender, a marriage officiant and a tattoo artist who labored briefly in building and at his late dad’s plumbing provide retailer in Brooklyn.
Tommy and Nicole Lanza in 2018 after Tommy officiated his sister-in-law’s wedding ceremony. (Photos used with permission by Jörg Windau of Windau Images, Manhattan)
“He fell into instructing and it suited him the perfect,” stated Nicole.
A Knicks fan and proprietor of an unlimited sneaker assortment, he was a passionate bowler.
Nazareth Laursen of Rab’s Nation Lanes in Dongan Hills remembers Lanza properly. She stated, “He was a genuinely good man, a terrific sport and at all times smiling. He’ll really be missed.”
Lanza additionally was an avid gardener who loved mowing the garden, cultivating flowers and tomatoes, even babying a fig tree to prolific manufacturing.
Nicole stated, “His Jeep Wrangler was a dream automotive and we have been lastly able to make a transfer.” His objective was to promote his bike to purchase a hardtop for the Jeep, which he deliberate to present to his son ultimately.
“Yearly we purchase one another Christmas ornaments and I used to be going to purchase a Jeep Wrangler. We’ve lots of traditions. All of us liked the seaside and Tommy liked planning holidays for us. I do not know how he at all times deliberate it. Due to him we had enjoyable,” stated Nicole.
Her sister, Kristen DiGiorgio, stated that after Lanza’s father died about 4 years in the past, “He was about residing life to the fullest. He meant so much to lots of people. I used to be grateful to know somebody like him. He made everybody really feel heard and vital and liked. He simply took one thing and had enjoyable.” She added with a smile, “He was the sibling you didn’t combat with.”
Nicole stated, “We had a really glad life. We had a really glad marriage.”
Lanza died attributable to problems from pneumonia (not associated to COVID-19.) The service is Wednesday, Oct. 28 at Harmon Funeral House at 517 Forest Avenue from 3 p.m. to five p.m. with cremation to observe.
