A funeral service will be held Friday for Thomas W. Hall Sr. of 544 Wengler Ave., Sharon. He passed away unexpectedly at 12:40 a.m. Monday morning (5-2-11) in the hospital of Sharon Regional Health System. He was 69.

Mr. Hall was born Nov. 7, 1941, in Sharon, a son of Maurice J. and Arada Ellis Hall. He was a Sharon High School alumnus who graduated in 1965 from what is now Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He was a chaplain for his college fraternity, Phi Sigma Epsilon, and earned his bachelor of arts degree in education in social studies and special education.

Mr. Hall began teaching in Oil City Area School District and was hired in 1966 by Sharon City School District, where he taught in the high school for 35 years, retiring in 2001. In 1999, he was selected to receive the Elizabeth McMullen and Anna Grace Smith Award by the Sharon High School students and alumni, an award that is given to a teacher in appreciation for excellence in their field.

During his tenure, Mr. Hall enjoyed coaching the Sharon High junior varsity football team and was proud to have been the winningest JV coach in Mercer County history at his retirement. He had also been a team scout and assistant coach for the varsity football team and was a member for many years of the Sharon Tigers Touchdown Club.

Mr. Hall was a former member of Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 103, Sharon. He also worked from June 2001 until July 2002 for the City of Sharon in its community development department as a rehab housing inspector.

Tom was a member of the Sharon Beautification Committee. He was recipient of a letter of commendation by the former City of Sharon Mayor Robert H. Price Sr. in recognition for his dedication to the Sharon High School football program and the young men he has coached.

Tom spent many family vacations in Conneaut, Ohio, and at the family cabin in Tionesta, Pa. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, camping and carpentry. He spent his retirement years watching the Sharon Tigers practice, play and succeed. He loved to bake and cook, spend time with his grandchildren and travel. A crossword puzzle and trivia buff, he was a self-proclaimed Jeopardy champion. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Sharon.

His wife, the former Kathy J. Sackett, whom he married May 21, 1988, survives at home. He also leaves: his three daughters, Dawn Marie Rowe, Pittsburgh; Cindy L. Repasky and her husband James, Austintown. Ohio; and Jennifer E. Schofield and her husband Bobby, Hermitage; three sons, Thomas W. Hall Jr. and his wife Patricia, Sharon; Kevin M. Zolnier and his wife Jenny, Hermitage; and Stephen T. Zolnier and his wife Amy, Sharon; eight grandchildren, Shelly, Tyler, Ryan, Katelyn, Evan, Noah, Kara and JJ; a sister, Alice Mae Juranovich and her husband Carl, Sharon; a brother, Terry Hall and his wife Shelly, Sharon; and a brother-in-law, Dale Wood, Sharon. Tom adored his pet cats, Zeus and Pepper, who will sadly miss him.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Margaret 'Peggy' Wood. Tom's patient, positive and loving attitude will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him, especially his family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made directly to the family for further disbursement to charities of their choice.

Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday (5-5-11) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Friends may e-mail condolences by visiting www.McGonigleFuneral-HomeandCrematory.com

Service: Funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Friday (5-6-11) in the funeral home with the Rev. John M. Trojak, senior pastor of First Baptist Church, Sharon, officiating.