Thomas Joseph Shola

Thomas J. Shola 93, formerly of Cranston, RI passed away peacefully, Monday, March 23, 2020 with his family by his side. He was the husband of the late Antoinette (Saccoccio) Shola.

Born in Woonsocket, son of the late Grigorie and Alexa (Becea) Shola.

Prior to retiring, Mr. Shola worked as Vice Principal of Cranston High School East.

Mr. Shola was a United States Army Combat Veteran serving in WWII, honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sargent, Military Police.

He was a graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School, Class of 1945. He was an All-State wrestler (never pinned) and played offensive half back and defensive safety for his late coach and mentor, Charles McCormick.

He graduated from Providence College, Class of 1952, with a B.A. degree. He also earned a Master of Business Administration at Rhode Island College.

He was head football and wrestling coach of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School and assistant football coach for the late Edward Stebbins at Cranston High School East.

Mr. Shola was inducted into the Rhode Island Football and Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame. He was a Board Member of the RI Interscholastic Injury League Fund, and was also a Public Address Announcer for both the Providence Reds and Brown University Bears.

He is survived by his two sons, Gregory J. Shola and his wife Sheila of FL and Thomas J. Shola, Jr. and his wife Antoinette of FL; two sisters, Elizabeth Hadfield of PA and Helen Weigand of VA; three grandchildren, Alexa (Shola) Donegan and her husband Joseph of MA, Benjamin Shola, and Mia Shola; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also the brother of the late James Shola, Flora Marcello, Dorothea Lupu, and John Shola.

A live streamed Trisagion Service will be held Friday, March 27, 2020 at 3 PM at www.gpanochfunerals.com.  A Celebration of Life with Military Honors in RI will be announced at a later date. The S. DiPardo Memorial Chapel Funeral Home are in charge of the services being held in RI. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Thomas Shola to the RI Interscholastic Injury Fund, 262 Abbott Run Valley Rd., Cumberland, RI 02864.

Professional arrangements by:
Gary Panoch Funeral Home
6140 N. Federal Highway
Boca Raton, FL 33487

561-997-8580
www.gpanochfunerals.com

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