Thomas Richard Speranza of Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania died suddenly on February 13, 2021 at the age 76. He was well known in Chestnut Hill, Mount Airy and the surrounding communities as the owner of Tom Speranza Painting, a contracting business he established in 1970 and operated until his death.
Tom was born in Philadelphia in 1944 to Dominick and Eleanor (Rowan) Speranza and grew up in the Italian-Irish neighborhoods of North Philadelphia in the postwar period. He attended Saint Columba parish school through 8th grade and graduated from North Philadelphia Catholic High School in 1962
Tom married Lucille Henry in 1963 and they raised two children together, Tom, 56, and Lauren, 51, in Roxborough and Willow Grove. After a few years of corporate life as a sales executive and night school at La Salle College, he started his painting business at the age of 26.
After 50 years of marriage, Tom’s wife predeceased him in 2014.
Tom was all about making connections to people. With his quick wit, easy smile, and gift for conversation, Tom maintained decades-long close relationships with extended family members, friends, clients, neighbors, and other local business owners. He often said he liked people who “weren’t afraid to have a personality.”
To the people who knew and loved him, Tom’s personality was unforgettable – an always youthful, upbeat, funny guy who was willing to lend an ear and help you out however he could. He was an avid reader, political junkie, and a multi-genre music fan (from rock to jazz to blues to reggae and hip-hop). And as hundreds of painting clients would attest, Tom had a great eye for color.
Tom is survived by Tom, Lauren, his grandchildren James, Nicholas and Grace, brother Michael (Denise), sister Donna, stepsisters Sophie Labiner (Steve) and Lorraine Bruno, nephews Drew Speranza (Melissa), Derek Speranza, Frank Quinn (Debbie), and Ken Foster (Sonya), nieces Mariann Carroll (Jim) and Lisa Quinn, and the project manager of his business for 30 years Angelo Patete (Tiffany).
Donations can be made in his memory to the Morris Arboretum.
