Honoring the Memory
of Those
We Love

Age 84, of Pleasant Hills passed away surrounded by his family on January 23, 2025. Tom was the loving husband of Francene (Cannon) Spalla for 57 years. He was devoted to her and his family. Tom was the proud father of Laura (Michael) Murtough, Tom (Cyndi) Spalla and Ken Spalla. Beloved Pap to Tyler Thomas, Max & Ben Murtough, and Megan & Maddie Nguyen. Son of the late Thomas and Helen Spalla.

Tom grew up in Dravosburg where he attended McKeesport High School. He obtained a Bachelor’s Degree at Duquesne University and a Master of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. He also served in the USAF where he was a radio operator and played baseball for the Bremerhaven Blue Devils.

Tom taught Biology at South Park High School for 26 years. Any student who “had Mr. Spalla for bio” left his class with a lasting impression. Following his retirement from teaching, he worked as a law clerk for Goldberg, Persky & White law firm in Pittsburgh until his second retirement in 2010.

Always one to leave his mark, Tom holds a patent for a baseball umpire counter and published a laboratory manual with Holt, Rinehart & Winston publishing.

Tom’s love of sports was evident whether playing on a number of baseball, soccer and softball teams, attending Penguins games with his wife or watching his sons and grandson play soccer. He received the PA West Amateur Founders Award by the Pittsburgh South Soccer Association for keeping amateur soccer alive in Western Pa. He enjoyed playing soccer with his friends on the “old man’s league” after retirement.

A keen collector throughout his life, Tom loved to share his passions with those around him. He was a member of the Philatelic Society of Pittsburgh, the South Hills Coin Club, the West Mifflin Coin Club and even ran an eBay business to offload some of his “treasures.”

Tom had an adventurous spirit and loved to explore and travel. Some of his and Francene’s most memorable adventures included whale-watching in Atlantic, Canada, hot air ballooning in Albuquerque, NM and hiking with family in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.

Tom’s greatest achievement in life was his family. Everything he did was for them, and his selflessness is a lasting legacy for those around him. We are blessed to be left with precious and lasting memories of many years together.

Friends and family are welcome to attend a memorial Mass of Christian Burial in Triumph of the Holy Cross Parish, St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church, 1 Grove Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 on Saturday, February 1, 2025 at 10:00 am, followed by interment at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, 2900 Washington Road, Canonsburg, PA 15317.

Arrangements are being handled by the John F. Slater Funeral Home, Inc, 4201 Brownsville Road, Brentwood PA 15227, 412-881-4100.