Thomas Kolodychak, 85, of North Charleroi, passed away on Monday, April 11, 2016 in Forestview Skilled Nursing Center , Erie.  Tom was born December 15, 1930 in Donora, PA. Tom is the son of the late Havriel and Anna Skrabut Kolodychak.   He was a member of Mary, Mother of the Church Parish in Charleroi, American Legion Post #22 in Charleroi, and the Eagles Club of Monessen.  He was a proud member of Donora High School’s Class of 1949, and later served in the U. S. Army after completing the ROTC program while attending Duquesne University from which he graduated in 1953.    

Tom was a lifelong musician, specializing in woodwind instruments.  He played in numerous dance bands throughout southwestern Pennsylvania, having played most notably in his own band as well as the Frank Paterra Orchestra, and Stuart Arnold Orchestra.  While playing for Frank Paterra, he met his future bride, Patty Paterra, a local vocalist and much loved figure in the Mon-Valley.  Like Tom, she always loved music, having directed the Youth Choir at St. Jerome parish in Charleroi.   

Tom worked at a number of local companies throughout his life: Combustion Engineering, Lee-Norse, Leybold-Heraeus, General Electric, and Davey-Dravo. 

Tom is survived by four sons, Dr. Michael Kolodychak and wife Rebecca of Erie, Timothy Kolodychak and wife Jennifer of Rostraver Township, Patrick Kolodychak and wife Karie of North Charleroi, and Joseph Kolodychak and wife Kristen of Beaver.  Tom is also survived by grandchildren Kayla, Alexander, Andrew, Kendall, Logan, Kellen, and Kalina Kolodychak, and Breanna Hartman.  Tom’s only surviving sibling, Dorothy Cuprik, resides in Columbus, Ohio.   Tom was preceeded in death by his parents, and wife Patricia Paterra Kolodychak. Five sisters, Catherine Kolodychak of Donora, Eva Novosielski of Monessen, Ann Opett of Donora, Lillian Mandzok of Monessen, Mildred Beecher of Spring Hill, FL and two brothers, Michael and Frank Kolodychak of Donora.      

Friends will be received Friday, April 15 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm at the Schrock-Hogan Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Inc. 226 Fallowfield Ave., Charleroi. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Mary, Mother of the Church, 7th and Washington Ave. Charleroi, celebrated by The Rev. James Young. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Monongahela, Pa.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.schrock-hogan.com 

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