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YOUNGSTOWN - Thomas Arthur Pontuti, 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, following a hard-fought battle with dementia. A resident of The Inn at Christine Valley in Youngstown, Tom was surrounded by the love and care of his family and caregivers in his final days.
Tom was born on June 15, 1940, a son of the late Arthur and Barbara Weiderman Pontuti.
A proud Youngstown native, he was raised in Brier Hill alongside his two brothers, Larry and Bill. Tom graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1958.
As a young man, Tom was a Golden Gloves boxer. After enlisting in the United States Army, he continued pursuing his passion for boxing while serving his country. He was honorably discharged in 1960.
After returning home, Tom learned the masonry trade alongside his uncles and became a member of Bricklayers Local Union No. 8. Following his masonry career, he joined the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as a safety enforcement officer. Through years of dedicated service, he earned numerous promotions and awards and ultimately served as Associate Regional Director. He retired from OSHA in 2003. In the years that followed, Tom continued to share his knowledge by providing private construction-safety consulting to many local companies.
Tom enjoyed hunting with friends, sharing his appreciation for classic cars with his sons, and teaching his grandchildren how to fish. He also shared with his grandchildren his appreciation for firearm collecting and responsible marksmanship. He could be found at lunch daily with his buddies, enjoying a beer and telling stories. Tom was a good father, an even better grandfather and was known to drop everything on a dime if one of them needed him.
Tom is survived by his three children, Brent A. (Rose) Pontuti, John P. Pontuti and Debbie N. (Shawn) LaBerto; five grandchildren, Brianna (Nick Wade) Pontuti, Kaylyn Pontuti, Sarah (Julian) Fusillo, Anthony (Alexis) LaBerto and Alex LaBerto; seven great-grandchildren, Isaiah, Luka, Micah, Judah, Lily, Autumn and Lena; his brother, Larry Pontuti; and his former wife, JoAnn M. Cacivilano Pontuti, who helped care for him through the end of his life.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother, William "Billy" Pontuti, whom he missed dearly every day, and his cousin and Vegas travel buddy, Dan Kraysets.
In keeping with Tom's wishes and the family's belief that he would have preferred a quiet, personal remembrance, there will be no calling hours. A private Celebration of Life will be held at a later date, when those closest to him will gather to honor his life and share the memories they hold dear.
The Pontuti family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the staff of The Inn at Christine Valley in Youngstown and the caregivers of Crossroads Hospice for the compassion, care, and support they provided to Tom.
The family offers special thanks to Tracey Wagner-Ramun for the love and support she gave him. Tom considered Tracey his second daughter, and she has truly been a cherished part of the family for many years.
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