Dr. Thomas W. Gigliotti's Obituary
Dr. Thomas W. Gigliotti, 99, lived his life to the fullest until passing away peacefully on October 31, 2025. Born on March 10, 1926 in Lorain, Ohio, he lived a life full of service, love, and dedication to his family, his country, and his community. At nearly a century old, he experienced an extraordinary life.
Dr. Gigliotti graduated from Clearview High School in 1944, where he earned a state medal in the mile relay. Shortly thereafter, he honorably served two years in the European theater during World War II with the United States Army. Following his service, he attended The Ohio State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1950 and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine in 1954. He went on to own and operate Amherst Animal Hospital from 1955 until his retirement in 1997, caring for countless families and their pets with compassion and expertise. He remained affectionately remembered and respected as a trusted veterinarian and pillar of the community.
His passions have always been broad and deep. An active Rotarian, he took part in countless humanitarian projects and service initiatives, his most memorable being to eliminate polio all over the world through donations to purchase vaccinations. An Ohio State Alumni, he donates religiously to his Alma Mater, attends as many football games as possible and would never miss a Michigan game. Dr. Gigliotti participated in numerous organizations including Omega Tau Sigma, the Ohio Veterinary Medical Association, and the American Veterinary Medical Association, serving as President from 1996-1997. He was honored as a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club and was involved with the Knights of Columbus where he was a Grand Knight and earned the distinction of Catholic Man of the Year. Thomas was involved with the Amherst Noonday Club, and he attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth.
Thomas’s personal life is equally inspiring. He married the love of his life, Arlene Joan Bell of Attleboro, Massachusetts and together they shared an incredible 62 years of marriage before Arlene’s passing. Their union was blessed with nine children, fourteen grandchildren, and fifteen great-grandchildren creating a legacy of life and family that continues to thrive to this day.
Dr. Gigliotti will be fondly remembered for his gentle nature, his lifelong dedication to veterinary medicine, and his unwavering commitment to family, faith, and community. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched—both two-legged and four-legged—and in the enduring love of those who were blessed to know him.
He is survived by his children, Thomas (Kim) of Strongsville, Margaret (Domenico) Pizzoferrato of Roccacasale, Italy, Timothy (Jami) of Austin, TX, Richard (Lynn) of Vermilion, Mary (Kevin) Linsky of Wellington, OH, and Paul (Jill) of Wilmington, NC; son-in-law, Doug Pustka of San Angelo, TX; daughter-in-law Brenda Gigliotti of Elyria, Ohio; 14 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.
Thomas loved to travel to visit his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Every year he visited his son Paul in North Carolina, son Tim in Texas and his daughter Margaret who lives in Italy. He has even been to the region of Calabria in Italy to visit his father’s birthplace. He dreamt of a River Cruise on the Danube to visit the birthplace of his mother in Budapest, Hungary.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Arlene (née Bell) Gigliotti in 2018; sons, Lawrence and Douglas; daughter, Maureen Pustka; great-grandson Benjamin Daniels; his brother, Jerome (June) Gigliotti of Avon, OH, and sister, Grace (Jack) Chapman of Freeport, IL.
Join us in celebrating Thomas’s life on Thursday, November 6, 2025, from 4-8 PM at Dovin & Reber Jones Funeral and Cremation Center, 1110 Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, OH 44001. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 7, 2025, at 11 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Cleveland Clinic Hospice online at giving.ccf.org.
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