He was born in Cleveland on May 10, 1934, the son of the late Nicola and Anna (nee Uca) Visha. He was the beloved husband of almost 59 years to Leona (nee Raynish); loving father of Thomas Jr. and Nicholas Visha; dear brother of Donald (Cathy) Visha, Sophie (Allen, deceased) Tonsing and the late Vanthia (Peter) Dimitri, Catherine Jovanovitch, Kalina Pavisich, and Mary Visha; loving uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Thomas was a dedicated family man who would do anything for his family and friends. He grew up as the son of Macedonian immigrants, attending Waring Elementary School, Willson Junior High School, and graduating from East High School in Cleveland in January 1952. He was a natural artist and enjoyed drawing his entire life. He was a proud Orthodox Christian dedicated to St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, serving on the church executive board, receiving the Episcopal Citation of Recognition in 2009 for years of dedicated service to the Holy Serbian Orthodox Church, and was extremely honored to be the 2012 Church Kumovi and later Kumovi for the choir with his wife Leona. He served in the US Army Reserves from 1957 to 1964. He retired as a chief clerk from the railroad in 1996 following 44 years of service to New York Central, Penn Central, and Conrail. He was a dedicated fan of the Cleveland Browns from their inception in 1946 and also loved the Cleveland Indians, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Ohio State Buckeyes. He was an avid car enthusiast and loved listening to and watching The Kingston Trio, Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, and others.
Visitation Friday, October 11, 2024 from 3PM-8PM at Craciun Funeral Home, 14925 Bagley Rd., Middleburg Heights. Funeral service Saturday at 11:30AM at St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 6306 Broadview Rd., Parma 44134. Interment at St. Theodosius Cemetery.
