Thomas Anthony Esposito, Sr.

Thomas Anthony Esposito, Sr., 97, of Biloxi, MS passed away on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 in Biloxi. Mr. Esposito was born March 9, 1924 in Biloxi, MS to Thomas J Esposito and Johanna "Jeannette" Pons. He Graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1941. While in High School he played football and was co-captain of the team his senior year. He played football in the very first Shrimp Bowl. After graduation he was employed at Ingalls Shipyard as a marine pipe fitter. He was a proud World War II Veteran who served in the 3rd Army under General George S Patton, Jr in Germany. He was awarded the EATO Medal with Battle Star and the WWII Victory Medal. While in the Army he attended WWII Special Schools to become a Medical Tech. After the war he went on to serve in the Mississippi National Guard. He married the love of his life Maxine Young Esposito in 1944 and they were married for 56 years. He was a physical therapist at the Veterans Administration where he retired in 1977. He was best known in Biloxi for being a professional freelance photographer for many years and took pictures at countless Mardi Gras Balls, Football Games and weddings. He came from a family that was very active in Mardi Gras. He was a page to his father who was King of the WBA Mardi Gras Ball in Biloxi in 1932. He loved his hometown and was a well and favorably known Biloxi icon that loved life and lived it to the fullest. He was a descendent of one of Biloxi's pioneer families. He never met a stranger and would sit down with people and talk to them about any and all topics. He had a heart of gold and made everyone he met feel comfortable. Most of all he loved his family. He had many cousins and various family members in Biloxi and New Orleans that he loved to get together with often. He was the kind of man that would do anything for his wife and children. He was a devout Catholic who loved and practiced his faith his entire life. Mr. Esposito had many accomplishments in his life and was a part of many organizations. He was a Deputy State Commissioner for the Amateur Softball Association, Advisor for Judging maskers for the Gulf Coast Carnival Association, member of the Sunkist Country Club Board of Directors and served as it's President for two terms, Director of the Mississippi Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo, Harrison County Election Commissioner for District 5 where he served as Chairman, he served on the Select Task Force on Elections and Technology, appointed by the MS Secretary of State, a member of the Election Commissioners Association of Mississippi, a member of the Harrison County Republican Party Central Committee, an associate Member of the Harrison County Republican Women's Club, a member of the Gulfport American Legion, a member of the Biloxi Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of Sunkist Country Club, a member of the Biloxi Knights of Columbus Council #1244 and he was inducted into the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas J. Esposito and Johanna “Jeannette" Pons Esposito; his wife, Maxine Young Esposito; his two daughters, Sandra Esposito Thornton and Sharron Esposito Fayard; his grandson, Jeremy Fayard; his two sisters, Josephine Esposito Allen and Johanna Esposito Egers; and his brother, Joseph T. Esposito. He is survived by his son and best friend, Thomas A. Esposito, Jr.; his grandchildren, Kimberly Thornton Freche, Patrick Thornton, Jr., Laurie Thornton Taylor and Johnny Fayard, Jr.; 14 great- grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and two nieces, Jeannette Egers Romero and Ann Marie Vogt Andrews. Due to Covid conditions, a private graveside service will be held at Biloxi City Cemetery. A memorial service may be scheduled at a later date. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Avenue in Biloxi is honored to serve the Esposito family.