Thomas J. Lipinski, 63, of West Middlesex passed away Thursday morning, September 6, 2018, in UPMC Passavant Hospital, McCandless, PA.

Tom was born November 25, 1954, in Lawrenceville, PA, a son of Louis and Margaret (Hammill) Lipinski. He was raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and graduated from Lawrenceville Catholic High School in 1973.

Tom received his Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, as well as a Master of Arts in Literature from Slippery Rock University.

A tenured professor, Tom taught English and Creative Writing courses at Edinboro University, where for eight years he was Department Chair. He had a lifelong passion for writing culminating in his Shamus Award-winning Carroll Dorsey mystery series.

Tom was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Sharon, where he used his talents to record the church history. Tom also enjoyed serving community lunches and bringing joy and laughter to all those around him.

Surviving are: his wife, the former Barbara Lindsay, whom he married June 21, 2013; a daughter, Angela Lindsay, West Middlesex, three sons, Justin Lindsay, Seoul, South Korea, Benjamin (Gina) Sochor, St. Louis, MO, and John Sochor, West Middlesex; a sister, Barbara (Robert) Kengor, Pittsburgh; three brothers, Louis Lipinski, Jr., Baton Rouge, LA; Michael (Colleen) Lipinski, Toronto, CA, and John (Linda) Lipinski, Bethany, W.V., and several nieces and nephews.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 226 W. State St., Sharon, PA 16101; or Food for the Poor, 6401 Lyons Rd., Coconut Creek, FL 33073.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday (9-11-18) at St. John's Episcopal Church, 226 W State St, Sharon, PA, with Rev. Adam Trembley, rector, as celebrant.

Internment: St. John 's Episcopal Columbarium.

Arrangements by J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.