Thomas J. DeCarlo

Fletcher –Thomas "T.J." Joseph DeCarlo, 92, passed away Monday, September 3, 2012 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock. T.J. was born in Rochester, NY to the late Frank and Clara DeCarlo. He was also preceded in death by a grandson Stevie and several brothers and sisters. Mr. DeCarlo was a United States Army Veteran serving in World War II and served under General Patton's 3rd Army in the 82nd and 1277 Combat Division. He also served in the North Africa Campaign and European theaters operations, the Battle of Normandy and the D-Day landing at Omaha Beach. He was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and eight battle stars for major battles, the European and Middle East ribbon, the Presidential Unit Citation, The Croix De Guerre medal awarded by France, and the World War II victory ribbon. Mr. DeCarlo was also a member of the American Legion, St. Barnabas Catholic Church and was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of the Columbus. T.J. is survived by his son, Frank Guy DeCarlo and his wife, Heather of St. Cloud, Florida; a daughter, Carol Wilson and her husband, Larry of Fletcher; a sister, Joyce Sapporito of Rochester, NY; seven grandchildren, Frank Anthony DeCarlo, Erin Kristine Walker and her husband, Frank, Chadwick Holcombe, Calen Holcombe, Cassandra Holcombe, Joey Baldwin and T.J. Baldwin and his wife, Leigh Ann of Raleigh, NC; three great grandchildren, Colton Carter Walker and Jacob Tyler and Joshua Thomas Baldwin and several cousins, nieces and nephews. A mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 6, 2012 at St. Barnabas Catholic Church in Arden. Burial will follow at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard. The family will receive friends at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to The Elizabeth House. 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, N.C. 28731.