Thomas A. LaPolla, 1937-2019

Thomas A. LaPolla, 82, of

Niles, passed away peacefully

Tuesday, Oct. 15,

2019, at Community

Skilled Health Care Centre

in Warren, surrounded

by his family .

He was born Jan. 14,

1937, in Columbus, the son

of Dr. Anthony and Rose

Kiener LaPolla.

Tom was a 1955 graduate

of Niles McKinley

High School, attended

Dartmouth College, and

was a 1962 graduate of The

Ohio State University College

of Law.

During law school, he worked as a legislative

research assistant to The Ohio State General Assembly.

He began his 57-year legal career as an assistant city

solicitor for the city of Kent. He moved to Niles to continue

his practice and became a partner in the firm Delbene,

LaPolla and Thomas in Warren. From 1962 to

2019, Tom had a general practice specializing in probate

and estate planning, business, small corporations and

sports law. He was rated AV Preeminent by Marindale-

Hubbell, which is the highest possible rating in both

legal ability and ethical standards.

Tom was a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel

Parish in Niles. He served on the board of education in

Niles as both a member and president. Until his retirement

in 2019, he served as president of the board at

Community Skilled Health Care Centre. He was also a

member of The American Bar Association, Ohio State

Bar Association, Trumbull County Bar Association

(past president) and Dartmouth Lawyers Association.

His firm also represented the NFL Quarterback Club.

He was an avid tennis player and golfer. His trips to

Sanibel Island with his family and his time spent with

close friends were the most important parts of his life.

The family wishes to convey its sincerest appreciation

to the staff at Community Skilled Nursing Centre

who cared for Tom with tremendous skill and deep compassion.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Judith Mae

Thompson LaPolla, whom he married June 28, 1958; a

son, Thomas LaPolla and his wife, Beverly of

Brunswick, Ohio; two daughters, Karen Uspenski and

her husband, Alexis of Chardon and Susan Lieber of

Niles; a sister, Ann Sutherin and her husband, Thomas

of Columbus; five grandchildren, Anthony Rathburn,

Sam Rathburn and his wife, Monica, Megan Lieber,

Emily LaPolla and Tommy LaPolla; and several nieces

and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and a sister,

Mary LaPolla.

Friends may call 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, at The

Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

Funeral services will be held at noon Saturday at

The Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions

be made to The Camelot Center, a handicapped

horseback riding program at 3498 Barclay Messerly

Road, Southington, Ohio 44470. Tom helped to create

this program for his grandson, Anthony Rathburn.

Arrangements are being handled by The Joseph

Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles.

Family and friends can light a candle, sign the guest

book, and send e-mail condolences at www.