Thomas W. Antonielli, Sr. - Obituary

om always referred to himself as being “just a poor boy from Northeast saved by God’s grace.” Born August 9, 1935, in Washington, DC, he believed that through the early intervention and guidance of the nuns in the Catholic church, he found Jesus and the love of God. At just 5 years old, he was sent to live with Ma and Pa Weedon in Richardsville, VA. This family took him in during the summers and treated him as their own. His “brother,” Edgar Weedon, and family, were always a part of his life and remained close. Tom was a faithful member of Heritage Baptist Church for the past 21 years where he taught Sunday School and was a Deacon. Tom and Dianne were married in the First Baptist Church of New Carrollton, MD, where they raised their two children and were extremely instrumental in the growth and support of the congregation. Tom took over running the Northeast Rescue Mission in the early 1980s. Through the mission and for over 40 years, Tom was instrumental in seeing that people were fed and clothed. His daughter joined the board of the mission in 2020 and took over running it in 2022. He raised his family and led his life by example and through the teachings of God’s word, and his faith and love of Jesus were paramount to all else. For him, God was always first followed by country and then family. Tom enlisted and served nine years in the District of Columbia Army National Guard as a Reservist. Tom was a proud graduate of McKinley Technical High School and was one of the Golden Techites—a McKinley alumni association Tom and other graduates helped create 50 years ago. He began the Antonielli Family Scholarship, which was awarded to a student entering college with the intention of studying Information Systems Technology or Education. Wherever Tom was he was sure to greet people with a smile and, often, a song! He was known for treating all people with love and kindness and believed that all people were the same and deserved to be treated with respect. The name Antonielli is not easily lost, and his family can’t go anywhere without hearing, “I know your Dad.” Tom was a teacher in Prince George’s public schools for over 40 years in the business education department. He taught and mentored students who were often at risk of dropping out and losing their way. He was firm and held his standards high, teaching in every interaction that being on time, honest, and forthright would get you far! Last September he attended the 50th Reunion for Parkdale High School. The number of students whose lives he touched was immeasurable. Many of his students have gone on to be business owners and tops in their fields, and they attribute their successes to his guidance and unwavering belief that they were worth fighting for and believed in them doing their best. Tom also taught at Strayer University in the District of Columbia part-time for over 40 years. Again, always guiding and directing, he supported and was in awe of the women (often the ones taking his classes) who were single mothers, working full-time, and getting their education at night. Tom loved the American standards and enjoyed singing along to Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and the like. He lived his life on his terms and like Frank sings, “he did it his way.” He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dianne; his two children, Tom, Jr. (55) and Jenny (50) and his four grandchildren, Wade (24) and wife Zoe, Jake (22), Sam (20) and Liam (19). Friends are invited to celebrate Thomas's life at the Kalas Funeral Home & Crematory, 2973 Solomons Island Rd., Edgewater, MD on Friday, August 18 from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 pm. Funeral service will be held at Heritage Baptist Church, 1740 Forest Dr., Annapolis, MD on Saturday, August 19 at 11 am. Interment will be at Richardsville United Methodist Church Cemetery in Richardsville, VA on Monday at 11 am. Condolences may be made by using the Memories tab on this page.