Thomas M Olivia

Thomas M. “Tom” Olivia, 77, of Kutztown, died on Tuesday, December 27, 2016 in Sacred Heart Hospital, Allentown. Thomas was the loving husband of Marsha E. (Lewis) Olivia. They were married on September 21, 1980.

Born in Palmerton, he was a son of the late John and Sophia (Yasson) Olivia. In his youth, Mr. Olivia served as an altar boy and later was a member of Saint Vladimir Ukrainian Catholic Church, Palmerton. Tom was a United States Marine Corps veteran. Tom graduated from Palmerton High School in 1957, and attended Lehigh County Community College. Mr. Olivia was the Distribution Manager for the Brierwood Shoe Company, Kutztown; Inventory Control Manager for Crown Bolt Company, Allentown, Diamonex, Allentown, and HMG, Reading. He was owner and operator of K & B Shoe Stores, with locations in Palmerton, Tamaqua and Kutztown; and also owned and operated the former Topton Hotel and Toad Creek Tavern, Topton; Most recently, Tom drove a school bus for Brandywine Heights School District. He was a member of the Kutztown Fire Company and a former member of their bowling league and the Kutztown HOBO's. Tom was an avid golfer and fisherman, who enjoyed taking trips to cabins in Shamokin, PA, Watkins Glen, NY, and Canada. An animal lover, Tom enjoyed taking care of his pets.

In addition to his Wife of 36 years, Marsha, Tom is survived by his Daughter, Christine D. Olivia-Wisocky, widow of Theodore S. "Tedder" Wisocky; Granddaughter, Melissa S. Olivia-Wisocky, wife of John M. Schumada, all of Palmerton; and was the guardian of Bane A. and Tyerney A. Lewis. He is also survived by Brothers, John "Junior" P., husband of Kathryn Olivia, Northampton, and their Daughter, Deborah; Christopher D., husband of Susan Olivia, Palmerton, and their Daughter, Kristin; Patrick "Ric" Olivia, Meriden, CT, and his Children, Raven, Carlene, David, Jacqueline, and Daniel.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 1:00 PM in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, with Reverend Rodney F. Bartman officiating. Relatives and friends may call on Tuesday afternoon from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the funeral home. Inurnment will be private in New Bethel Cemetery, Kempton.

The family requests contributions be made in Tom's memory to Forgotten Felines and Fidos, Inc., P.O. Box 62, Germansville, PA 18053 or Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Road, S.W., Lilburn, GA 30047 or online at www.lbda.org/donate . Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.