Thomas George Hess

Thomas George Hess, 94, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2017. Born on August 20, 1923, Tom was raised in Brooklyn along with 10 other brothers and sisters. He attended Catholic schools in Brooklyn and was an excellent athlete earning a college scholarship offer to play basketball. Instead Tom enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in the Pacific during World War II. He participated in combat operations in some of the most intense battles of the war including Iwo Jima, Tarawa and Okinawa. Not unlike other returning veterans, Tom spoke rarely about his combat experiences but was proud of his service and loved his country very much.

After the war, Tom returned to the Washington D.C. area where he met and married the love of his life, Carmela Giarrizzi. The couple would raise two daughters.

Tom was employed as a dental technician for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Washington D.C. for 35 years. After his retirement, he and Carmela moved to Las Vegas to be close to family.

An avid golfer and reader, Tom enjoyed all sports. He was a lifelong fan of the Washington Redskins. He had a great sense of humor and always was just a little mischieveous. Tom loved working the daily New York Times crossword puzzles and reading Louis L’Amour novels about the Old West. He would never turn down spaghetti and meatballs or New York cheesecake.

He loved his grandchildren and they in turn adored him calling him affectionately “Daddy Tom”. His grandchildren provided devoted care and companionship to Tom for which he was grateful.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife and all of his siblings.

He is survived by his daughters, Devra Hess Hollis and Dacia Hall both of Las Vegas along with seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017 from 6:00-8:00PM at Palm Southwest Mortuary at 7979 W Warm Springs Road in Las Vegas. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at 10:00 AM at St Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church at 7260 West Sahara in Las Vegas followed by committal at 12:00PM at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 1900 Veterans Memorial Drive in Boulder City, Nevada.

Rest in peace Daddy Tom. We will miss you.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Southwest Mortuary, Las Vegas, NV.