Thomas Joseph Miskell

Thomas Joseph Miskell was born in Buffalo, New York, where he spent his early years before moving to Peekskill, NY for his later childhood. After graduating high school, Tom enlisted in the US Air Force, where he completed his education, graduating with honors at the top of his class as a medical technologist. After four years of serving his country, he was honorably discharged and began working in a Laboratory at Cook Children's Hospital in Fort Worth, TX. He married and settled in Arlington, where his twins Garrett and Lyndsay were born. He proceeded to become a Lab Manager, and after a number of years he became interested in supporting labs through IT services at the hospital, and began working at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. In 2005, Tom took a new position at Duke Medical Center and moved to North Carolina. He reconnected with Ilona, his high school sweetheart from New York, and they married in 2011 on Ocean Isle Beach, NC. His blended family now included Ashley and Austin who eventually began families of their own. Garrett and Lyndsay also married, and Tom became a grandpa to Cosmo Tortorici in June 2024. Tom's love of fine woodworking earned him a blue ribbon at the NC State Fair for a self-designed cherry side table with olive wood inlay. He created several other stunning pieces of furniture which his family will cherish for years to come. Tom also enjoyed nature walks, fishing with Ashley and Mindy, and fossil hunting on the Brunswick Islands. He loved his two cats Bennie and Peaches; Peaches was a daddy’s girl who always found a way to climb on his lap and snuggle. Tom had an insatiable appetite, which became an ongoing family joke. He was always snacking on something. He liked to try out new recipes including the most calorie-laden desserts and cakes he could find on the internet to Ilona's dismay. Somehow, he remained a 30-inch waist for 40 years. His love of the Buffalo Bills remained a constant source of joy and consternation throughout his life, and he always kept the faith that they would claim a championship. Tom and Ilona listened to many genres of music and enjoyed going to live concerts and seeing cover bands of the 70's. Tom particularly loved classic rock and the blues. Tom was a very sensitive, caring man who wore his heart on his sleeve. He was always willing to help someone. He was very handy and was able to repair almost anything. Tom was generous to a fault and he loved with all his heart and soul. Unfortunately, Tom developed early onset dementia which he battled for 11 years, though it will never diminish our memory of the loving father, veteran, and husband that he had always been. He will be greatly missed but will stay in our hearts forever. Donations in Tom’s memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Association to help fund research and support for families like ours. Tom is survived by his wife Ilona Miskell, his son Garrett Miskell (Eddie Mayo) his daughter Lyndsay Miskell (Preston Lewis), his mother Dorothy (Doe) Miskell, brothers John (Cathy) Miskell, Richard (Josephine) Miskell and his sister Trisha Zippiroli. Tom is also survived by his father's wife Marian Miskell, stepson Austin Tortorici (Leigh Ann Samsa), grandson Cosmo Samsa Tortorici, and stepdaughter Ashley Tortorici (Mindy Drewette). His death was preceded by his father John Miskell, and Sister Susan Murray.

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