Thomas J. Zielinski

Thomas J. Zielinski, of Mt. Lebanon, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at the age of 99.

Husband of the late Elizabeth (Krywicki) Zielinski. Beloved father of Carol (Brian) Page, Diane (Thomas) Doody, Robert (Kim) Zielinski, Mary (Mark) Cooke, Thomas (Diane) Zielinski, and Susan (Steve) Findlay; grandfather of Thomas Doody, Elizabeth Higgins, David Doody, Maria Davis, Michael Doody, Melissa Zielinski, Cass Zielinski, Mary De la Cruz, Anna Cooke, Matthew Cooke, Aubrey Zielinski, Emily Conklin, Elise Canning, John Paul Findlay, and the late Brian George Page II; great-grandfather of Ava, Noah, Lily, Austin, Greyson, Madelynn, Abigail, Dominic, and Kye; dear friend of the late Rita Hogle.

Thomas lived a simple life.  A hard worker, he devoted himself to his family and his faith. He grew up at Holy Family Institute in Emsworth with fond memories of the religious sisters who instilled in him a strong faith in Jesus and the Catholic church. Growing up during the Great Depression, he found work enjoyable at a young age and fined tuned a strong work ethic and self-reliance that thread throughout his life. Early on, he enrolled in the army and served his country honorably in World War II defending our nation’s interests in the Philippines. Upon returning home, he met the love of his life, Elizabeth, the girl that stole his heart at a local dance, and filled his life with joy and happiness for over 33 years.  

Declaring at the onset of his marriage his desire for a large family (six children specifically), Thomas centered his life around his families’ needs, working long hours, often only sleeping a few hours a night to ensure their well-being. He focused his career on produce, with a desire to ensure that his family always ate healthy, which led him to start a successful retail/wholesale grocery and produce business.  His deep appreciation for God’s medicine, fresh fruits and vegetables, was instilled in his children and served him well for over 99 years.  

Thomas retired early, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, gardening, walking, reading and traveling, especially to Florida and Poland.  Never too busy to help another, or give honest advice or encouragement, he was a faithful friend to many and an incredible father to six.  His warmth and sense of humor were infectious and his love of the simple things in life were reflected in the joy he spread each day; faith and family were the cornerstone of his life.  Fiercely independent until his mid-90s, he lived in his own home and walked many miles a day, attributing the exercise along with the good Lord, a really good guardian angel and apples, the secret to his longevity.  He was truly a remarkable and blessed man, the richest man we knew, for his riches were Heavenly.  He will be profoundly missed by his family, friends and the many who loved him.

A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 27 at 10am at St. Bernard Church, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 311 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15216. Interment to follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions suggested to St. Bernard Church, St. Michael the Archangel Parish, 311 Washington Rd, Pittsburgh, PA 15216.

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