Thomas R. Tillia, 72

Mr. Thomas R. Tillia, 72, of Ellwood City passed away on Sunday, December 4, 2016 in the Ellwood City Hospital.

Mr. Tillia was born on April 22, 1944 in Ellwood City to the late Clarence E. and Mary E. Shields Tillia. Tom is a member of the Lincoln High School class of 1962 and had attended Slippery Rock University. He enjoyed traveling at home and abroad. Tom Tillia was a devoted and committed member of the Red Barn Players theater troupe for nearly 50 years. His contributions to the group are too numerous to list, but he was a driving force behind the success of the all-volunteer organization as a director, actor and board member. He served at the Red Barn’s vice president from 1971 to 2005, as president from 2006-2011, and as a member of the board of directors since then. It was Tom’s commitment and work that led to the group’s purchase of the Red Barn property in 2010, and he was instrumental in moving the organization forward with plans for improvements to the property to benefit both patrons and performers. In addition to dozens of comedies that he directed, Tom and his good friend, Amos Eppihimer, produced and directed more than 20 musicals at the Red Barn that delighted and entertained audiences for several decades. Anyone who ever took part in a production at the Red Barn knew that Tom would be there to assist in whatever way he could. He will be remembered most for his welcoming nature that brought in scores of new members and friends through the years, and his willingness to help with any task or detail to help the organization succeed. Tom was also the co-founder of Data Consultants Computer Centers, Inc. established in 1985, providing computer services and educational opportunities for thousands of Beaver, Lawrence, and Butler County residents. Later known as DCI Career Institute, the company relocated from Beaver Falls to its present location in Monaca, Pa. He served as a Commission Rep/Commissioner/Chair for the accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training (ACCET) in Washington, DC for over 20 years impacting education and thousands of lives throughout the world.

Mr. Tillia is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Moroney Tillia whom he married on December 27, 1969, his sister, Carol DeCaria of Ellwood City, his brother, Fred (Carri) Tillia of Ellwood City, his brother-in-law, Richard K. Moroney of Gainville, FL, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Inez Miller & Janet L. Howell, and his brothers, George Tillia, Dale Tillia, Wayne Tillia, Eugene Tillia and Gerald Tillia.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm in the Samuel Teolis Funeral Home, Inc. and Cremation Services, and on Thursday from 10-11 am in the First Church of God, 1862 Mercer Rd., Ellwood City, Pa. A Service for Tom will be held on Thursday at 11:00 in the First Church of God with Rev. Phil Conklin officiating. Entombment will be at the Holy Redeemer Mausoleum, Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Memorial contributions in Mr. Tillia’s name may be made to the Red Barn Theater.

The family requests you view the obituary and sign the guestbook at http://www.teolisfuneralhome.com/