Thomas Gaetano Gargiulo

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Gaetano Gargiulo, aged 85 years, loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and grandfather died September 1, 2013 in Gulfport where he has lived for forty years. Thomas was born in Naples, Italy on May 1, 1928 to Teresa and Antonio Gargiulo, and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was five years old. Thomas was commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force on December 5, 1950, and became a decorated command pilot of the B52 bomber. He is a veteran of the Vietnam War having served two tours of duty and flew numerous combat missions. While assigned to Barksdale Air Force Base, he met the former Catherine McGoey and the two were married in 1954. They remained married until her death in 1993, and together they raised six children. In 1970, Thomas was selected to serve in the United States Embassy as military liaison in Rabat, Morocco, where he led and was responsible for the equipment and training of the Moroccan Air Force. He retired from the Air Force after twenty-three years of service as the Assistant Operations Officer for the School of Applied Aerospace Sciences at Keesler AFB. Upon his retirement from the Air Force, Thomas began working at Standard Fruit and Steamship Company in Gulfport where, after 16 years, he retired as the Terminal Manager. Thomas, a devoted Catholic, was actively involved with St. James Church, including membership in the Knights of Columbus and many years as a member of the church council. In his free time, he enjoyed gardening, home improvement projects and reading, but his true pride and joy was the rearing and guidance he provided to his children and twelve grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife, Catherine McGoey Gargiulo, his brothers, Armando Gargiulo, Vincent Gargiulo, Victor Gargiulo, and his sister Helen Capuzzo. He is survived by his six children, Terese Gargiulo Evans (Patrick), Thomas Gargiulo, Frederick Gargiulo (Michele), Robert Gargiulo, Peter Gargiulo (Glenda), and John Gargiulo, along with his twelve grandchildren, Danielle Gargiulo, Megan Gargiulo, Andrew Gargiulo, Jordan Gargiulo, Blaise Gargiulo, Michael Gargiulo, Connor Evans, Sydney Gargiulo, Katherine Gargiulo, Molly Evans, Dylan Evans, and Kylie Gargiulo. The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to Maggie Mcnair and Stephanie Johnson, as well as Dr. Cyril Bethala, MD, and the staff of Memorial Hospital. The funeral service will be held Friday, September 6, 2013 at 11:30 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church in Gulfport with visitation beginning at 10:30 a.m. The graveside will follow at 2:00 p.m. with full military honors at Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, LA. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com