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GIRARD -- Thomas Gibson Blackstone, 86, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, at Hospice House in Poland.
A lifelong resident of Girard, Tom was born Aug. 10, 1937, in Girard, at his family's home, to Thomas Gordon and Margaret Gibson Blackstone.
Tom was a 1955 graduate of Girard High School. While attending Youngstown College, he worked for six years at Ohio Leather Works.
He graduated from Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science in 1962. Tom became the third generation to work and own Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard, working with his father, Gordon, until his death in 1984, and his daughter, Kathleen, since 1981.
Anyone who knew Tom knew that being a fireman was his greatest love. He worked as a special firefighter for the Girard Fire Department for 32 years, from 1963 to 1995, and was proud to serve with so many friends in the fire service. He also owned and operated Blackstone Ambulance Service until the fire department started its own ambulance service.
Tom was a member of the Tri-County Funeral Directors; Ohio Funeral Directors Association, where he was honored for his 50 years in funeral service in 2013; the National Funeral Directors Association; the IFH Club; the Saxon Club; and many golf leagues throughout his life.
Some of his best times in life were spent with his wife, Dianna, in Florida, where they met many friends along the way. Tom and his wife loved traveling, domestic and abroad, with close friends and family. He would tell you the best trip of his life was the trip to Italy with his wife, celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
He will forever be known as a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a compassionate man who served and supported his community, both as a funeral director and as a fireman.
Tom forever leaves to cherish his memory, his children, Kathleen (Frank) Blackstone-Tomasino of Girard, Thomas (Marilyn) Blackstone Jr. of Campbell and Sheri Blackstone (John DeMas) of Girard; grandchildren, Brent Kovachik, Faith (Jason) Linley, Danielle (RC) Altaffer, Ryan (Allie Roddy) Forte, Ralph (Candace) Rivera and Marie Love; and great-grandchildren, Addison, Scarlett, Nixon, Beckett, Gwendolyn, Jaden, Sophia, Selena and Harper.
He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life, wife Dianna Mackey Blackstone, whom he married June 14, 1957 and who died Aug. 31, 2015; grandson, Stephen Kovachik IV; brother, Harry Blackstone; aunt and uncle, Alexander and Ella Kennedy; and his dad's cousin, who was like a grandfather to him, DeWitt McConnell.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024, at Blackstone Funeral Home. The family will receive relatives and friends 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024, and also 10 to 11 a.m., the time of the service, Wednesday, at the funeral home.
Tom will be laid to rest next to his wife in Girard City Cemetery.
The family would like to thank Hospice of the Valley for the exceptional care that was given to him in his final days. The family suggests any material contributions be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Girard Fire Department.
You may visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any expressions of sympathy to the family.
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