Thomas Motosko 1950-2024

He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mary Motosko.

He is survived by his life partner, Jana Healy; and his siblings, Paul Motosko, Julie Motosko, Nicholas Motosko and Michele Merkle.

Tom, a longtime resident of Cambridge, was born and raised on the south side of Youngstown. He was a true son of the city. He graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in 1968, and Youngstown State University in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education. He earned a teaching license from the State of Ohio and later attended Emporia State University in Kansas to pursue a graduate degree in physical education.

In 2016, Tom was inducted into the Woodrow Wilson Hall of Fame.

Tom enjoyed a successful six-decade career, starting out by working alongside his father in sales, demonstrating household products at fairs, home and flower shows, and other trade shows.

After college he started his own business, focusing on sales and importing houseware products. Tom also held a patent for the Awesome Auger, a gardening tool that attaches to any drill.

Tom was an athlete and sports enthusiast. He excelled in gymnastics in the Slovak Sokol, basketball and football at Wilson High School, and football at YSU. He and his friends would play basketball in the driveway until the early hours of the morning, then empty the refrigerator of his mother’s pasta and meatballs. Tom’s dedication to the Boston Celtics even earned him the nickname “Celt.”

Tom embodied Youngstown grit. It fueled his success and helped him overcome life’s challenges, including a tragic airplane accident in 1996. Tom always remained cheerful and optimistic, even in the face of adversity.

Famously a storyteller, dinner or coffee with Tom was a master class in the art. He wove his life stories from his friendships and life’s adventures into wonderful tales that would last for hours! Even driving with Tom was an adventure; he often took one of his famous”Tommy shortcuts.” You knew the shortcut was either to see a friend, to find a great hamburger or he was lost and wouldn’t admit it.

Tom was loved by family and friends. He kept in contact with everyone, regardless of where they were in the world. You never knew when you would hear his cheerful hello, but you always knew it would be soon. Tom never took himself too seriously and he made everyone he spoke to feel like they were the most important person in the world. Tom made a difference in the world, even though his time on earth was way too short.

Tom will be missed, but never forgotten!

A celebration of life will be early next year in Youngstown.

(special notice)