Tommy L. Crater 1972-2026

Born Feb. 6, 1972, to Floyd and Irene Gomori Crater, Tommy lived a life rooted in connection, laughter and bringing people together.

A 1990 graduate of Poland Seminary High School, Tommy dedicated 33 years of hard work to the Mahoning County Engineer’s Office. But beyond his career, Tommy will be remembered most for who he was to others – a man with a great smile, a quick joke and a way of making everyone feel like they belonged. He didn’t just meet people; he welcomed and befriended them.

Tommy had a gift for creating places where memories were made. In 2001, he opened The Cell in Youngstown, a place that became known as the premier location in Youngstown, being known as the “area’s hottest club around,” drawing guests from Cleveland and Pittsburgh alike.

In July 2008, he opened High Pointe Restaurant and Tavern, where his true passion shined. Tommy was often the first face you’d see, making you feel like you had been coming there your whole life. That personal touch is what made High Pointe more than a restaurant – it became home to so many. Despite all he built, Tommy remained as humble as they come. His down-to-earth sense of humor was part of his charm, especially when he’d point to his usual spot at the end of the bar and call it “the low point of High Pointe.” It was just one of the many ways he made people laugh and feel at ease.

Tommy loved the simple joys in life – classic cars, great seafood, RC planes, drones and his animals, and time spent with the people he cared about. His Fourth of July parties were the kind you never forgot, filled with laughter, stories and the unmistakable feeling of being part of something special. He shared a special bond with his beloved puppy, Daisy, and his cat, Noname — a name that came from a story Tommy always loved telling. Those little stories, like so many others, are the pieces of him that will live on.

He will be deeply missed by his mother, Irene of North Jackson; his brothers, Alex (Sue) Oris of Las Vegas and Carl (Tammy Saxion) of Austintown; his sisters, Debbie (John Beach) Crater of Hubbard and Gina Crater-Balbi (Dominic) of Chicago; along with his nieces and nephews, Lauren, Leah, Brandon and Joshua; and great-nephews, who will carry his memory forward.

Tommy was preceded in death by his father, Floyd Crater and his beloved puppy girl, Daisy.

A celebration of Tommy’s life will be June 28, 2026, at High Pointe Restaurant and Tavern – just where he would want it – surrounded by the people, stories and laughter he loved most.

Tommy’s legacy isn’t just in the places he built but in the way he made people feel. And that will never be forgotten.

Arrangements handled by the Joseph Rossi and Sons Funeral Home in Niles. To share a memory, send a condolence or donate to The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project, visit Tommy’s tribute page at www.josephrossifuneralhome.com.

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